Hamsterley Forest

Visitor information

Opening hours

The Cafe is open for sit in dining and takeaway daily, 10.30am - 3.30pm weekdays and 9am - 4pm at weekends.

Forest Drive is open at weekends, April to October, 9am to 5pm.

Weekdays

Monday
Opening hours	Dawn to dusk
Forest Drive	9am - 4pm

Tuesday
Opening hours	Dawn to dusk
Forest Drive	9am - 4pm

Wednesday
Opening hours	Dawn to dusk
Forest Drive	9am - 4pm

Thursday
Opening hours	Dawn to dusk
Forest Drive	9am - 4pm

Friday
Opening hours	Dawn to dusk
Forest Drive	9am - 4pm

Weekends

Saturday
Opening hours	Dawn to dusk
Forest Drive	9am - 5pm

Sunday
Opening hours	Dawn to dusk
Forest Drive	9am - 5pm

How to find us

what3words /// nurtures.icicles.workbench

Bedburn, Hamsterley

Sat Nav Postcode: DL13 3NL

By Car

For main visitor centre car park, please enter Bedburn into Sat Nav (postcode covers a large area).

Follow signs from the A68, north of West Auckland.

By Public Transport

There aren't any public transport links in to Hamsterley Forest.

OS Grid Ref

NZ092312

Get directions

54.6747146, -1.8230975

Parking and prices

Hamsterley Forest has introduced a new ticket-less parking system which uses automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), read the Frequently Asked Questions.

You can now pay for parking with card, cash or by phone app.

How do you pay by phone?

If you'd prefer not to visit a pay station or forget your payment card, you can now pay using your smart phone and the ‘Glide’ parking payment app (available to download on Google Play and Apple Store).

Forgotten to pay?

You can now pay off-site up to midnight on the day of your visit with the ‘Glide’ parking payment app for smart phones.

Overnight parking is not permitted.

Parking Charges

The money you pay for parking helps us to look after the forests. Read how

Weekdays and weekends in off peak times
Up to 1 hour	£2.00
All day	£7.00

Peak - Bank holiday weekends
Peak	£10.00

Coaches/Minibuses charges

Minibuses - £12.00

Coaches - £18.00

Additional information

Number of accessible parking spaces: 4

Facilities and access

Our Cafe is open for sit in dining and takeaway every day.

Visit England We're Good to Go green tick

For more information on planning your visit, take a look at our accessibility information:

View Accessibility Guide

Accessible toilet

Assistant dogs welcome

Baby changing facilities

Dogs allowed

Easy access trail

Picnic area

Play Area

Toilets

Contact details

Landline Number

01388 488312

E-Mail Address

enquiries.hamsterley@forestryengland.uk

Hamsterley Forest

Mountain biker in Hamsterley Forest — Photo Credit: Jerry Tatton

Discover our picturesque woodlands which sprawl along the sides of a stunning sheltered valley

Escape the hustle and bustle of the everyday at County Durham’s largest forest.

From wildlife watching to stargazing, and adventure play for all the family to exhilarating mountain biking, there is something to keep everyone busy.

If you fancy a peaceful wander through the trees, Hamsterley’s extensive network of trails and paths provides the perfect opportunity for you to explore the heart of the forest.

Trail map

At a glance

Read Hamsterley Forest future plans

14/07/2022 16:21

What's on

Forest event

Forest Runner 5k & 10k running series | Hamsterley Forest

10 March 2024

9am

Hamsterley Forest Runner

Be a forest runner and join us in our running series across the nation’s forests this spring. The profits from Forest Runner sales help us grow, shape and care for your local forest, now and for future generations.

Whether you are a 5k or a 10k Forest Runner, choose your challenge and enjoy a run in some beautiful surroundings.

Explore the stunning forest at Hamsterley with our waymarked running trails where you'll pass some of our art pieces and beautiful views out over the valley.

Join in the conversation using #ForestRunner

Click here to book 5k tickets

Click here to book 10k tickets

Members get 15% off Forest Runner tickets!

Forest Runner events are managed in partnership with Events of the North.

Find out more

Things to do

See more things to do

Walking trails at Hamsterley Forest

Hamsterley Forest is a delightful 2,000 hectare oasis, sprawling along the sides of a sheltered valley.

The walking trails will take you right into the heart of the forest for some spectacular wildlife watching opportunities. Early morning walkers may spot roe deer feeding, adders basking on rocks or even salmon leaping upstream on the beck.

Find out more

Zog activity trail at Hamsterley Forest

Get ready to join Zog on his latest forest adventure with a brand-new family activity trail and free app!

How does it work?

1. Download the new ‘Zog: A Forest Adventure’ app before you visit

Point the brand new app at special markers along the trail and access all sorts of exciting challenges as you go.

Thanks to amazing augmented reality technology, you’ll be able to collect golden stars, just like Zog and have the chance to take a photo with everyone’s favourite dragon at the end of the trail!

Capture the fun by saving videos and photos as you complete the bonus activities!

Get it on Google Play Get it on the App Store

2. Get your claws on a Zog trail activity pack

Grab the Zog trail activity pack for £4 from the information point or cafe during opening times.

Inside you’ll find:

kraft bag to colour in.

dragon wings to decorate and wear.

Zog glasses.

stickers.

trail leaflet.

pencil and crayon.

3. Follow the trail

Collect golden stars as your little dragons learn how they can help care for the forest, and how the forests can care for them.

Share your Zog fun using the #ZogTrail hashtag.

Find out more

Cycling and mountain biking trails at Hamsterley Forest

Whether you've just bought your first bike, or you're looking for your next adrenaline fix shredding through rock gardens, Hamsterley Forest offers a fantastic opportunity for natural cycling.

Explore over 2,000 hectares of forest along 33 miles of way-marked trails and countless more miles of seldom travelled forest road.

Find out more

Gruffalo Sculptures at Hamsterley Forest

If you venture into the deep dark wood you may bump into the Gruffalo and the Gruffalo's Child plus other characters from Julia Donaldson's fantastic story.

Each wooden sculpture has been carved in a different position - can you find them all?

Post your Gruffalo photos on our Facebook page - we'd love to see them.

Find out more

Nearby forests

Chopwell Wood

Chopwell Wood really is a wood for everyone. This 360-hectare mixed woodland is a real gem, set right on the fringe of Gateshead.

Find out more

Slaley Forest

Overlooking Derwent Reservoir, Slaley Forest is home to a selection of forest roads which give you access to the forest.

Open all year, come rain or shine, the forest is a great location for a leisurely woodland walk or bike ride.

Find out more

Kielder Water and Forest Park

Although it's England's largest forest, Kielder is not just about trees. At any one time, a quarter of the area of Kielder is open space, including England’s largest area of blanket bog. Kielder is also England’s most important red squirrel reserve, home to the biggest remaining population of red squirrels in the country.

Find out more

Guisborough Forest

Discover the most breathtaking views as you take a walk through stunning natural scenery at Guisborough Forest.

Nestled between Teesside and the North York Moors, Guisborough Forest is home to a trim trail, a cycling trail, play areas and superb walking trails for relaxing, connecting to nature and getting lost in the trees.

Find out more