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. We’re perfect for individuals or families that love nature, exploring, walking, cycling, water sports and much more. Come and relax with a picnic overlooking stunning scenery.
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.
Kielder Water & Forest Park has miles of beautiful trails, including forest walks for all the family and dedicated mountain bike tracks. We have walks on the ViewRanger app, to help guide and inform visitors. The Lakeside Way is a 26 mile multi-user trail, suitable for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and wheelchair users that encircles the shimmering shoreline of Kielder Water. We have several treasure hunt “Geocaches” dotted around the Park.
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.
A haven for wildlife, Kielder Water & Forest Park is also home to around 50% of England’s native red squirrel population. After 200 years of absence in Northumberland it is a delight to see ospreys thriving at Kielder and we now have seven breeding pairs producing chicks. You can also spot otters, roe deer, badgers, pipistrelle bats and the reintroduced water voles.
You can discover all you need to know about Kielder Water & Forest Park including its history and wildlife at Tower Knowe Visitor Centre. There is a well-stocked shop and free exhibition with many interactive features. Enjoy an ice cream or other treat at Wafflemeister. Kielder Waterside boasts luxury self-catering lodges, a gym, indoor heated swimming pool and sauna, restaurant and bar, crazy golf, children’s play area and the Kielder Water Birds of Prey Centre. Kielder Castle, the former hunting lodge for the Duke of Northumberland is the hub for cycling in the Park, and base of cycle hire at The Bike Place.
There is also contemporary art and architecture including the futuristic shelter design of the Belvedere, the Minotaur maze, Janus Chairs and Silvas Capitalis, also known as the ‘giant forest head’. Or visit The Nick, a viewpoint situated at the highest point of Forest Drive that links Kielder village with the A696 to the east. Close to Kielder Observatory is the James Turrell Skyspace, where the internationally acclaimed US artist manipulates our normal perceptions of light and space. Visit at dusk for the simplistic beautiful performance.
Water-skiing and sailing enthusiasts take to the water all year round. Kielder Water, provides over 2000 acres of water to explore. With a fleet of 15 fully equipped motor boats, the lake offers exhilarating fishing for both enthusiast and competition trout anglers alike.
Kielder Water & Forest Park is also home to an array of events all year round from car rally’s to the Kielder Marathon; or mountain biking to fishing. While the Observatory hosts a huge range of events throughout the year, there are also other venues throughout Kielder Water and Forest Park which hold star gazing events.
T: 0345 155 0236
E: [email protected]
W: www.visitkielder.com