The Official Visitor Site for Kielder Water & Forest Park
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Kielder Water & Forest Park
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Type: Forest
Home to northern Europe’s largest man-made lake and England's largest forest, Kielder Water & Forest Park is one of Northumberland's best attractions.
It is perfect for individuals or families that love nature, water sports, exploring, walking, cycling and much more.
Kielder Water & Forest Park features mile upon mile of purpose-built trails including forest walks for all the family and dedicated mountain bike tracks. The Lakeside Way is a 26 mile multi-user trail, suitable for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and wheelchair users, that encircles the shoreline of Kielder Water.
A haven for wildlife, Kielder Water & Forest Park is also home to around 50% of England’s native red squirrel population. In 2009, a record breaking osprey couple became the first birds for at least 200 years to successfully raise chicks in Northumberland. You can also spot otters, roe deer badgers and bats.
Waterskiing and sailing enthusiasts take to the water all year round and the lake offers a huge challenge to keen trout anglers between March and October.
You can discover all you need to know about Kielder Water & Forest Park including its history at Tower Knowe Visitor Centre or visit Kielder Castle, the former hunting lodge for the Duke of Northumberland, which now hosts a visitor centre, art gallery and exhibitions.
Leaplish Waterside Park boasts luxury self catering forest lodges, an indoor heated swimming pool and sauna, restaurant and bar and the Kielder Water Birds of Prey Centre.
Famed for having the darkest night skies in England thanks to minimal light pollution, Kielder Water & Forest Park is a star gazers’ heaven and is home to the Kielder Observatory.
There is also contemporary art and architecture including the futuristic shelter design of the Belvedere, the Minotaur maze and Silvas Capitalis, also known as the ‘giant forest head’.
Visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to spending a day trip, weekend break or holiday in what the Campaign to Protect Rural England calls the most tranquil spot in the country.
Road Directions
Kielder Water & Forest Park is:
- 30 miles (50 minutes drive) by road from Hexham
- 52 miles (80 minutes drive) from Newcastle upon Tyne
- 40 miles (90 minutes drive) from Carlisle
- 30 miles (60 minutes drive) from Jedburgh
Visitors travelling to or from Kielder Water & Forest Park from the north west should plan their visit carefully taking into account journey times and fuel as there are no petrol stations in the immediate Kielder area.
The Forest Drive (which is very scenic) is a rough surfaced road suitable for 4x4 vehicles and passable by other cars with care. Visitors are advised to exercise caution as the surface is loose chip. It will close in inclement weather. If you are travelling to the Park via the Forest Drive you can join the road from the A68 at Byrness.
Coming from Jedburgh/the south east of Scotland take the A68 heading south then the B6320 from Otterburn to Bellingham. Follow the brown signs to Kielder Water & Forest Park.
Those travelling from the south west of Scotland should follow the A7. Leave the road at Canonbie to join the B6357 to Newcastleton and Kielder Water & Forest Park is signposted from there.
From Newcastle or Carlisle, follow the A69 to Hexham then follow the B6320 to Bellingham (brown-signed Kielder Water & Forest) and then the C200 to Kielder Water & Forest Park.
Please remember to fill up before you begin your car journey as there are no petrol stations in the immediate Kielder Water & Forest Park area.
Public Transport Directions
Running Mondays to Saturdays from Hexham to Kielder is the 880 bus. Running Sundays and bank holidays (from May bank holiday to mid October) from NewcastleGateshead to Kielder is the 714 bus. There is also a public bus service between Bellingham and Kielder on Mondays and Thursdays only. For timetable information go to www.visitkielder.com.
Facilities
Provider Features
- Forest Location - Kielder Forest is England’s largest working forest.
- In countryside - Kielder Water & Forest Park is in Northumberland and is the most tranquil spot in the country according to the Campaign to Protect Rural England.
- Indoor Attraction - The visitor centres are indoor attractions – check opening times before setting off.
- Outdoor Attraction - 250 squares miles of forest and water park with three main visitor centres.
- Village Location - Kielder Village is located in the Park and has a shop, B&B, pub and YMCA.
Accessibility
- Guide Dogs Permitted
- Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors
- Toilets for Disabled Visitors
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
- Parking (charge) - Tickets are valid throughout the day at all visitor centres so you only have to buy once (£4) or £1.50 for an hour.
Catering
- On-Site café/restaurant - Choose from Café on the water, The Boat Inn restaurant and bar or the Duke’s Pantry. Also there are many pubs and tea rooms in the area.
- Picnic Site - There are plenty to choose from.
Payment Methods
- Booking essential - Events, activities and the ferry should be booked in advance but plenty of the walks and cycle rides are free.
Provider Facilities
- Toilets
Target Markets
- Family Fun
- Marketed Towards Children
- Marketed Towards Families
- Marketed Towards Senior Citizens
- Marketed Towards Students / Youth
Tours and Demonstrations
- Demonstrations Given - Daily bird demonstrations at Kielder Water Birds of Prey Centre
- Educational Visits Accepted - Contact Forestry Commission, Kielder Castle 01434 250209
- Guided Tours Available for Groups
Contact Details
Northumberland
NE48 1BT
Tel: +44 01434 220616
Opening Times & Dates
Open All Year
01/01/2012 to 31/12/2012
Ticket Information
| Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
|---|---|
| Free | Free |
Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.
Information
Get directions to here