Things to do in Kielder
Adventure, Wildlife and Wide Open Skies Beyond Calvert Kielder
Things to do in Kielder
Kielder Water & Forest Park is unlike anywhere else in the UK — 250 square miles of woodland, water and open sky, with almost zero light pollution meaning some of the best stargazing in the country.
Beyond Calvert Kielder’s 40-acre woodland site, there’s a remarkable amount to explore: adventure, wildlife, art, history and long walks. Here’s our guide to making the most of it during your visit.
Explore the Forest
Walking & Cycling
The Lakeside Way is the place to start — a 26-mile multi-user trail that circles the entirety of Kielder Water, suitable for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and wheelchair users alike. You can tackle the full route or pick off shorter sections at your own pace, with the reservoir glinting through the trees for most of the way.
For cyclists, Kielder has over 100 miles of traffic-free trails, from the gentle Borderline and Osprey blue trails to the red and black Deadwater trail — with a full descent from the summit and views stretching across Northumberland and into the Scottish Borders. Bikes can be hired from The Bike Place at Kielder Castle, with e-bikes available too.
Families will find plenty of gentler trails to enjoy. Plus, fans of the Julia Donaldson books can explore the Room on the Broom trail, bringing the beloved characters to life in the forest.
The Kielder Forest Drive
For a more leisurely way to take in the scale of the forest, the Kielder Forest Drive is not to be missed. England’s longest forest drive runs for 12 spectacular miles on forest roads between Kielder Castle and Blakehopeburnhaugh on the A68, rising to over 450 metres above sea level.
The views from Blakehope Nick — a viewpoint designed by Newcastle University School of Architecture — are extraordinary. Open May to December, with a £3 toll payable at the Kielder Castle entrance.
Forest Drive at a Glance
- 12 Miles
- 450m Elevation
- £3 Toll
- Open May–Dec
Art & Architecture
Kielder has quietly become one of the most significant open-air art destinations in the north of England, with installations dotted around the lake and in the forest.
Silvas Capitalis — also known as the Giant Timber Head — is one of the most striking: a huge timber sculpture along the Lakeside Way that visitors can climb inside and look out from its eyes! The Minotaur Maze offers a challenge for all ages, with a central tower that reveals panoramic views across Kielder Water as your reward for finding the centre. And near Kielder Observatory, the James Turrell Skyspace is an internationally acclaimed light installation that manipulates perception of light and space — go at dusk for the full effect.
The Kielder Art and Architecture Trail Map is well worth downloading before you set off.
Wildlife
Kielder is a genuine wildlife haven — and the best way to appreciate it is to slow down and look.
Around half of England’s entire red squirrel population lives here. Seven breeding pairs of ospreys nest in the forest — the first to successfully raise chicks in Northumberland in over 200 years — and you can watch live nest camera footage at Kielder Castle between April and August each year. Roe deer, otters, badgers, pipistrelle bats and the recently reintroduced water vole are all here too.
For dedicated wildlife watching, head to Bakethin Hide for a quiet hour with binoculars, or visit the Kielder Bird of Prey Centre — one of the largest collections of birds of prey in the north of England. The Osprey Ferry departs from Kielder Waterside for a guided cruise across the reservoir specifically focused on osprey spotting — well worth booking in advance during the season.
The Kielder Salmon Centre, near Kielder Castle, offers a fascinating look at the Environment Agency’s work rearing salmon and protecting pearl mussels in the local waterways. A quieter, more unexpected stop — and all the better for it.
Tower Knowe Visitor Centre is a good first port of call for wildlife information, Osprey Watch sessions, maps and trail guides.
Dark Skies & Stargazing
As night falls over Kielder, something remarkable happens. The light pollution that obscures the night sky almost everywhere else in England simply isn’t here. Kielder sits within the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park — the largest Gold Tier dark sky area in Europe — and on a clear night, the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye.
Kielder Observatory runs the UK’s largest stargazing programme, with guided evening sessions, astrophotography workshops, astronomy talks and special events, including the Kielder Autumn Starcamp each October. Sessions must be booked well in advance. For a DIY experience, designated dark sky spots including the Elf Kirk car park offer a simpler alternative — a blanket, a hot drink, and patience are all you need.
Events
Kielder hosts a programme of events throughout the year that draw visitors from across the country. In April, the Dirty Riever, the UK’s premier flagship gravel cycling event, takes to the trails of Kielder Forest.
The Glorious Gravel cycling event in late August is a favourite for cyclists of all levels, and the annual Kielder Dark Skies RallyMoto in September brings a different kind of crowd.
The Kielder Marathon — held each October — combines iconic off-road racing with the scenery of the forest and reservoir.
Check the Visit Kielder events calendar for the full programme.
Eating Out
Within 5–15 minutes: Less than 10 mins away, the Pheasant Inn serves hearty, home-cooked food using local Northumbrian produce and is a firm favourite with returning guests. The Holly Bush Inn, around 15 minutes away, is known for its real ales and sweeping views over the Tarset Valley.
Bellingham (30 minutes): This market town is worth the drive, not just for its local shops, pubs and restaurants, but for the Carriages Tearoom at Bellingham Heritage Centre, where food is served aboard restored 1950s railway carriages. There’s also the Hareshaw Linn waterfall nearby.
Of course, if you’d rather not leave the site, we have our own dining room and takeaway options – ask at reception on arrival.
Further Afield
Kielder makes an excellent base for a wider Northumberland adventure. Hadrian’s Wall, the Northumberland coast, the castles at Bamburgh and Alnwick, Holy Island and the Scottish Borders are all within a day trip. The village of Otterburn, with its vivid medieval history and peaceful Redesdale Valley setting, is a quieter stop worth seeking out.
There’s more than enough to fill a week here without leaving the forest. But if you want to explore further, it’s all within reach.
Ready to Start Exploring?
Once your stay is booked, head to our activities page to see what’s on during your visit — and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about planning your trip.
Call us: 01434 250232 Email us: enquiries@calvert-kielder.com