Kielder Water & Forest Park
Kielder Water
England's largest planted forest and Britain's largest man-made lake by capacity. Walking, cycling, osprey watching and dark-sky stargazing draw outdoor enthusiasts.
Kielder Water was completed in 1982 and is surrounded by England's largest planted forest. The whole area is part of the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park. A lakeside path of about 42 km circles the reservoir and can be walked or cycled, with outdoor art installations along the way. In summer you can go rowing or take a boat trip, and if you're lucky, you may spot ospreys and red squirrels. The main visitor points are Leaplish Waterside Park (Lipwood Quay) and Kielder Castle. It is about 40 km from Hexham. You'll need a car, and mobile signal is weak in the forest.
Opening hours
All day (visitor center open by day)
Nearby sights
- Kielder Observatory
- Walltown Crags
- Cawfields Quarry
- Thirlwall Castle
- Roman Army Museum
- Steel Rigg & Crag Lough
- The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre
- Birdoswald Roman Fort