Home to northern Europe’s largest man-made lake, England's largest working forest and the darkest skies in England, Kielder Water & Forest Park is England's number one tourism attraction (Visit England 2013).
Kielder Water & Forest Park is perfect for individuals or families that love nature, water sports, exploring, walking, cycling and much more. It 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 it was the first time on record that a pair of ospreys had recolonised naturally in Northumberland after over 200 years of absence and since the number of breeding pairs have grown to four. 2016 was a record breaking year with ten fledging chicks. 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 and wildlife at Tower Knowe Visitor Centre or visit Kielder Castle, the former hunting lodge for the Duke of Northumberland, which now hosts a visitor centre and cafe. Kielder Waterside 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 its dark skies thanks to minimal light pollution, Kielder Water & Forest Park within Northumberland International Dark Sky Park is a star gazer's heaven and 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.
The park is also home to the award winning Kielder Winter Wonderland every November and December and the Kielder Marathon every October.
Type | Entry for | Guide price |
Free | 1 |
£0.00 per ticket |
From | To | |||
Sunday | 01/01/2012 | Friday | 01/01/2021 | |
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