About us
Kielder Water & Forest Park Development Trust
Kielder Water & Forest Park Development Trust is a registered charity working at Kielder to promote sustainable development, provide recreational facilities, improve knowledge of the natural environment and encourage the arts.
Members, who have appointed directors/trustees to serve on the board, are Northumbrian Water, Forestry England, Calvert Kielder , Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society, Northumberland County Council, Northumberland Wildlife Trust and Northumberland National Park Authority. Affiliate organisations that are not members but have a close working relationship with KWFPDT include Arts Council England, Northumberland Tourism, Environment Agency, The Scout Association and local decision making bodies such as the parish councils.
The Big Picture
The Big Picture, a significant programme of works which will add to the variety of core attractions at Kielder Water & Forest Park, is currently taking place. The developments mean there will be even more fun things to do in the Park as well as providing extra employment and business development in the area.
Member and affiliates information:
Calvert Kielder
For over 30 years Calvert Kielder has been enabling people with disabilities, together with their families and friends, to achieve their potential through adventure activities in the countryside.
It provides a secure but challenging environment for visitors to enjoy an outdoors adventure holiday in a stunning location. Respite guests, independent and group guests and families staying in self-catering chalets can enjoy a wealth of activities including sailing, climbing, abseiling, canoeing and swimming.
Today its three centres (there are also activity centres in Exmoor and the Lake District) welcome over 11,000 visitors each year, helping them challenge disability and providing more opportunities to find out that ‘it’s what you CAN do that counts!”
Further information about Calvert Kielder
Click here for recruitment opportunities at Calvert Kielder
Environment Agency
The Environment Agency's job is to look after the environment and make it a better place - for now, and for future generations. One of it’s main functions at Kielder is to set the water release regime for the reservoir.
The Environment Agency also owns the Kielder Salmon Centre which was opened 30 years ago to compensate for the loss of important breeding habitat caused by the construction of the Kielder dam. Since then the hatchery has become a centre of excellence for the rearing of salmon and other protected species like Ennerdale Charr and Freshwater Pearl Mussels.
Working with business, Government and society as a whole, the Environment Agency strives to makes the environment cleaner and healthier.
Further information about The Environment Agency
Forestry England
The Forestry England manages the woodland and its stewardship to deliver a wide range of benefits. These include timber production for industry, employment, informal and formal recreation, conservation, bio-diversity and to help combat climate change.
There are around 200 people employed both directly and indirectly in timber harvesting and so the forest plays a vital role in the economy of the north east of England.
It also owns Kielder Castle, the former hunting lodge of the Duke of Northumberland.
Kielder Forest is managed sustainably and is a valuable home and sanctuary for many species of flora and fauna, including deer, squirrels birds of prey, border mires with peat bog plant species.
Permits are required to work in the forest for many different reasons including survey work, events (such as rallies), firewood permits and vehicle access. If you wish to acquire a permit, are unsure whether your proposed activity requires a permit or for further information about the permit system please contact Forestry England on 0300 067 4200.
Further information about the Forestry England
Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society (KOAS)
KOAS is a registered charitable incorporated organisation (CIO ID 1153570) operating in the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park. Its mission is to provide an inspirational educational experience to people of all ages, encompassing all levels of ability and social background, acting as a trigger to promote Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics.
KOAS is working in partnership with the Kielder Water & Forest Park Development Trust to expand the current facilities and operations that in turn will allow us to inspire more people and create more employment and business for the North East Region
Visitors have the opportunity to use a superb array of telescopes and instrumentation (weather permitting), and receive expert tuition in astronomy and cosmology at the observatory in Kielder Forest.
To achieve its outreach function the observatory holds regular events designed for members of the public to come along and listen to a talk and observe the night sky. During the summer regular family events during the day allow visitors an opportunity to look at the sun using solar telescopes and to build their own rockets! Special events are run from time to time, for example astrophotography tutorials.
Visit the Kielder Observatory website for further information.
Northumberland County Council is a unitary authority which delivers a wide range of services across one of England’s largest counties.
It is also one of the most sparsely populated - with around half of its 319,000 residents living in the more urban south east, and the other spread across the rural north and west of its 5,013km2 area.
As one of its most important industries, tourism is a key focus for the council. It wants to ensure that tourism and leisure activities promote Northumberland as a proud and passionate county in what it has to offer to both residents and visitors.
The council wants to make Northumberland a great place to live and in which residents and visitors can access the things they enjoy, whilst having the opportunity to learn and thrive.
To help it do this it wants to work in partnership with stakeholders to create and develop the strategic direction and landscape for tourism and leisure services across the county.
For further information about the council visit www.northumberland.gov.uk
Northumbrian Water
Northumbrian Water Limited operates in the north east of England, where it trades as Northumbrian Water and provides water and sewerage services to 2.6 million people, and in the south east of England, where it trades as Essex & Suffolk Water and provides water services to 1.8 million people.
Northumbrian Water manages Kielder Waterside which boasts luxury accommodation and a number of attractions including the Forest Bar & Kitchen, The Hide, indoor swimming pool, play garden, the Osprey ferry and much more.
Kielder Water is also one of Northumbrian Water's six premier fisheries, offering outstanding natural beauty, quality fish and an exceptional boat fleet.
Further information about Northumbrian Water
Click here for recruitment opportunities at Northumbrian Water
Northumberland Wildlife Trust
Northumberland Wildlife Trust is the largest environmental charity in the region working to safeguard native wildlife. One of 47 Wildlife Trusts across the UK, Northumberland Wildlife Trust has campaigned for nature conservation for over 40 years.
It aims to inform, educate and involve people of all ages and backgrounds in protecting their environment in favour of wildlife and conservation.
Supported by over 13,000 individual and 100 corporate members in the region, Northumberland Wildlife Trust manages and protects critical species and habitats at over 60 nature reserves throughout Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland.
Further information about the Northumberland Wildlife Trust
Projects
Revitalising Redesdale Landscape Partnership
Redesdale is a remote upland area in the wild heart of Northumberland . The Rede catchment stretches from where the river rises at Carter Bar on the English-Scottish border to its confluence with the North Tyne at Redesmouth.
This land was once a lawless frontier where families on both sides of the border, the Border Reivers, raided each other’s lands, stealing, destroying property and perpetuating violent blood-feuds for generations. Today this area is one of the most peaceful parts of all England where birds and animals thrive and people can discover a spectacular upland landscape and the stories it holds.
Working with local people across the Rede Valley, we have successfully secured an award of £1.8 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to celebrate Redesdale’s rich cultural heritage and to protect and enhance the area’s historical features, landscape and wildlife.
Revitalising Redesdale partners are delivering projects to inspire and enable us all to care for Redesdale, including community participation and providing opportunities for people to learn new skills.
Learn more: www.revitalisingredesdale.org.uk
The Nick - Blakehope Nick’s sculpture that captures elements of this remote landscape, focusing the eye on the forests and the heather and mosses that form the rare peat bog ecology along the Forest Drive between Kielder and Redesdale.
