Please note this is based on summer opening times.
Friday evening
After enjoying a scenic drive make yourself at home in your comfortable lodge – the Boat Inn restaurant and bar is on-site for your evening meal if no one feels like cooking!
Saturday
Early risers will catch a beautiful sunrise over Kielder Water. Start your adventure with a visit to Kielder Castle and the Duchess art gallery. Kids can enjoy playing in the adventure playground or exploring the Minotaur maze while you stop for coffee at the Duke’s Pantry. Nearby is the Kielder Salmon Centre for an interesting introduction into the life of the salmon.
Take a drive back to Leaplish Waterside Park and get the Osprey ferry for outstanding views around Kielder Water to Tower Knowe Visitor Centre and its interactive exhibition. Now is a great time to stop for lunch at Café on the water.
Hop on the ferry back to Leaplish Waterside Park for a spot of mini golf and so the kids can play on the castles in the play garden. If it threatens to rain, take advantage of the heated swimming pool and sauna. We recommend that you prebook your swim or sauna at Leaplish. For a special evening treat, why not check if there are any events on at Kielder Observatory where you can spend the night star gazing under the darkest night skies in England.
Sunday
Take an early morning stroll or bike ride along a stretch of the Lakeside Way – a new multi-user trail that encircles Kielder Water stretching for 27 miles. See how much wildlife you can spot on your travels (there is also a wildlife garden at Leaplish Waterside Park as well as Bakethin conservation area for those with a keen interest).
If you didn’t bring your own bikes you can hire them from The Bike Place or Purple Mountain. Ask in one of our visitor centres for the best section of the trail to suit you and if any parts of the trail are closed for operation reasons. It’s always best to check the ferry timetable before setting off too.
After lunch it is definitely worth paying a visit to the Kielder Water Birds of Prey Centre based at Leaplish Waterside Park. They care for a whole host of birds including owls, falcons and vultures as well as two fallow deer, two wallabies, guinea pigs and red squirrels.
Expect a ‘hands on’ experience through daily flying demonstrations, hunting days, hawk walks, falconry courses and school visits. You’ll even get the chance to feed two of the largest flying birds in the world, a pair of Great White Pelicans called Elisabeth and Giff.
Round off your visit with a trip to the wildlife garden at Leaplish Waterside Park where the little ones can discover a whole host of wildlife as well our new, human sundial.