Kielder Water and Forest Park
Kielder, Northumberland
About Kielder Water and Forest Park
A visit to the Kielder Castle visitor centre will uncover many surprises. Get lost in the Minotaur Maze, discover the fascinating night sky or walk along the unique Lakeside Way, a 26-mile multi-use path around the lake which can be accessed from Kielder Castle.
Get in touch with your wild side at England’s largest forest - Kielder Water and Forest Park! The whole family will have a fantastic day out here.
Things To Do
Love the idea of relaxing and adventurous walks? Kielder's Forest is not shy to walk with the sheer amount of space there is to explore! With miles of shoreline to wander along, whether it's long-distance walking you're looking for or an easy trail for kids - you'll find a unique walking experience here. And there are 250 square miles of the site altogether, with its 5 walking trails! Don't forget the brand-new Gruffalo trail! It's family-friendly and filled with lots of party fun!
There's many beautiful surroundings here, as well as an abundance of wildlife you can observe as you wander around. Many curious contemporary art sculptures are hidden amongst the trees, so make sure you bring your camera and take pictures as you go along.
Fancy cycling? You'll find a range of cycling trails, perfect for mountain biking - especially since it's one of England's largest mountain bike trail networks around! Did you know that they have one of England's largest mountain bike trail networks?
It's time you embark on your two-wheeled adventure! Located adjacent to Kielder Castle is the Kielder Cycle Centre which offers bikes for all ages and disciplines as well as up-to-date, electrically assisted cycles! We advise pre-booking rental bikes as demand is high at present.
Kielder is also home to lots of wildlife, including red squirrels, otters and ospreys. That’s another opportunity to inspire the budding photographers in the family! From April to August, live camera footage is shown daily from Northumberland's only breeding osprey population which is now the largest natural colony in the UK with an impressive 6 nests per season. Kielder Salmon Centre is also close to Kielder Castle and gives a real insight into the fantastic work the Environment Agency carry out in the area, including rearing salmon and also protecting pearl mussels.
The little ones are interested in the mystery of space? Discover the amazing night sky – perhaps from the comfort of your campervan, as Forestry England car parks can be used to stay overnight for just £10! You need to check out the Kielder Observatory programme and attend one of its stargazing events. Since Kielder Water and Forest Park has a Dark Sky status, it’s one of the best places to see stars.
With a range of activities to discover here at Kielder Forest and Water Park, it's no wonder why it's a firm family favourite!
- Biggest forest in the country
- The largest red squirrel population in England
- Stargazing events at the Kielder Observatory
Family Days Out For Less
More Memories, Smarter Savings
We secure exclusive discounts for our members at top UK attractions! There’s no discount at the moment, but there’s plenty of other VIP discounts!
Sign up for £1 Trial
Kielder Water and Forest Park is
excluded from DOWTK VIP Offers.
Brand New Gruffalo Party Trail!
Embark on a brand new forest adventure with the Gruffalo Party Trail! He's celebrating a very special 25th birthday, which means it's party time! But he's missing the all-important party items! Can you help him find them all?
The trail will also include party-themed activities and fun games!
Dark Sky Discovery Site
Did you know that this forest is a Dark Sky Discovery Site?
That means you can see the glorious twinkling stars in the night sky with your own eyes! Without the glaring lights, it'll be like nothing you've ever seen before.
Minotaur Maze
Find your way to the glistening glass room within the walls of the Minotaur maze at Kielder Castle, a must for children and adults alike!
The maze, built from basalt stone and glass, opened in 2006 and was designed by artist Shona Kitchen and architect Nick Coombe.
Facilities
Toilets
Onsite Parking
Food Available
Dog Friendly
Opening Times
Monday to Sunday 08:00 - dusk
Pricing & Tickets
- Child (4-17) : Free
Gruffalo Activity Trail £4.00 per pack
Book in advance for cheapest tickets
Find other attractions similar to Kielder Water and Forest Park by visiting our attraction tickets section.
Plan Your Visit
Typical visit time more than 5 hours
Suitable for Kids and Adults too
Food & Drink Options
Food and drink available form the Street Diner at Kielder Castle
FAQs
Parking
Toilets
Family Friendly Options
Food & Drink
Accessibility Information
Tickets & Bookings
Private Hire & Birthday Parties
Contact Details
Kielder Forest
Kielder Castle
Kielder
Northumberland
NE48 1ER
England
From the nearby villages of Bellingham and Newcastleton follow signs to Kielder Water and Forest Park which will take you onto the C200 - the road which runs adjacent to the southern shore of Kielder Water.
Tel: 01434250209
Visit Website
Verification & Last Updated
Verified Status:
This attraction has been claimed and verified. All information has been recently checked.
Last Updated: 07:33 16/07/2024
Kielder Water and Forest Park Reviews
Recent blog posts
🏰✨ COMPETITION TIME: Win a magical overnight family stay in Alnwick + tickets to Alnwick Castle! ✨🏰 😍 We’ve teamed up with Alnwick Castle to give one lucky family an overnight stay at the brand-new Bailiffgate Hotel AND a day of adventure at the iconic Alnwick Castle. 📲 Click the form below to…
🦒😲 COMPETITION TIME: WIN a family day out to Chester Zoo PLUS £100 voucher to spend! 😲🦒 😆 We’ve teamed up with Chester Zoo to offer one lucky family the chance to win a family ticket (4 people) PLUS £100 voucher to spend on food, drinks and shopping at the Zoo 📲 Click…
🌳🐒 GIVEAWAY TIME! WIN a family trip to walk with free roaming monkeys!🐒🌳 🐒 We’ve partnered with Trentham Money Forest to give away 5x family passes (4 people per pass) for a fun filled day walking with the monkeys. 📆 The winner will be announced on 26th May 2025 and the winner will…
Discover the best unique afternoon teas for an unforgettable experience! From whimsical themes to creative twists on classic treats!
Step into a prehistoric adventure this summer with The Lost Kingdom Walking Trail – a dino-mite family day filled with roars and discovery!
⛳️🤩 COMPETITION TIME: We’re giving away 5x £50 vouchers to any Mulligans venue! 🤩⛳️ 😍 To celebrate May Half Term, we’ve teamed up with Mulligans to give your family a £50 voucher to spend at your chosen venue 📆 Enter via the form below. The competition closes on 16th June and…
GIVEAWAY TIME: WIN 4x tickets, donkey grooming, £40 to spend and MORE at Cockfields Farm! 🐣🤩 🤩 We’ve teamed up with Cockfields Farm to give 2x FAMILIES the chance to 4x entry tickets to the farm, donkey grooming sessions, bird of prey handling experiences, 4x animal feed and a £40 voucher to spend…
Looking for a cheap family day out with lots of free activities? Find out everything you need to know about Manchester Runway Visitor Park!