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Dukes Trail, Kielder Skyspace/ Kielder Observatory (via forest road), Deadwater forest walk, Lakeside Way north shore (2 x short circular routes) and Borderline cycle trail are now open.
Kielder’s border forest simply oozes adventure. Thrillingly remote, yet easily accessible, it sits in Northumberland’s western outpost of
Kielder Water and Forest Park which spans 250 square miles, and is the largest planted forest in England with 150 million trees.
Kielder Border Forest is perfect for cycling adventures, getting back to nature, experiencing wild food foraging and more. Kielder's ospreys are a huge highlight for nature lovers, and following an absence of about 200 years in Northumberland, ospreys returned to nest at Kielder in 2009. By 2019 Kielder Forest was home to six breeding pairs of ospreys.
Head to remote and practically hidden Kielder Village, which is encompassed by Kielder Forest’s stunning woodland. This idyllic springboard for a number of activities that the surrounding forest has to offer sits below the awe-inspiringly starry skies of the International Dark Sky Park. Turn your visit into a stay for a night or two and find accommodation in Kielder.
Experience Bellingham’s village charm, riverside setting and spectacular countryside. Traditional pubs and stone cottages give it that small village charm, while nearby waterfalls, trails and cycling routes offer ample opportunity for exploration. Take a walk around the mystical Hareshaw Linn, a wooded gorge where the Victorians held ethereal musical evenings alongside a tumbling waterfall. Do lunch at the Carriages Tearoom at Bellingham Heritage Centre, where local fare is served aboard restored 1950s train carriages.
Also surrounded by stunning woodland is the small village of Falstone which is nestled between Kielder and Bellingham. It is an excellent spot to explore Kielder Forest, Northumberland National Park and even the Scottish borders, and to experience local and traditional village activities including its annual agricultural show.
Nearby Otterburn village is another spot worth visiting, boasting a vibrant, welcoming community and picturesque setting. Not to mention a violent history which is almost undetectable against the peaceful landscape of the Redesdale Valley, where birds and animals thrive on Otterburn Ranges. Why not stretch your visit over a night or two and find places to stay in Otterburn.