Many forest access routes in this forest are currently closed due to the damage caused by Storm Arwen. - See latest information & plan your visit
Visitor information
Opening hours
How to find us
Parking & prices
Facilities & access
Contact details

Opening hours

Harbottle Forest offers 24 hour access. 

How to find us

How to find us
OS Grid Ref
NT92580493

55.337818957658, -2.1176818915098

Parking and prices

There are no parking charges at Harbottle. 

Additional information

Number of accessible parking spaces: 0

There are no designated accessible parking spaces at this forest, have you seen our Easy Access trails page?

Facilities and access

Assistant dogs welcome
Dogs allowed

Contact details

Nestled beside the picturesque village of Harbottle in the Northumberland National Park, wander into the woods for peace and tranquility among the trees

Explore the great network of public footpaths at Harbottle or venture to the ancient Drake Stone to experience the mythical atmosphere and stunning views.

At a glance

  • Walking
  • Dogs welcome 

Things to do

Walking is the perfect way to get some fresh air and explore some of the area's most beautiful landscapes.

Harbottle has a range of public footpaths for you to explore the woodland. 

Nearby forests

Holystone Woods, Rothbury

Holystone is tucked away in a quiet corner of Coquetdale. The peace and tranquillity of the area attracted a religious order that built a nunnery here in the twelfth century, around which Holystone village grew.

The nunnery has long gone, but the tranquil surroundings remain, offering beautiful walks.

There are waterfalls, crags and plenty of aged broadleaved woodlands which are a delight to walk in at any time of year.

Dark skies brightened by a clear rainbow over green broadleaf trees

Found within the Northumberland National Park, just north of the village of Alwinton, Kidland Forest's mosaic of trees is the perfect setting for a forest adventure. Unwind under the blanket of spruce, pine and larch while taking in the glorious views and peaceful sounds of the River Alwin. 

Kidland Forest is a designated Red Squirrel Reserve and also houses Memmerkirk Chapel, a Scheduled Ancient Monument which are the remains of a chapel dating from the 14th to 17th century. 

conifer woodland

Harwood is a large conifer forest located to the south of Simonside Hills in Rothubury. Lying within the Northumberland National Park, it provides visitors with access to a network of public footpaths, ranging from popular open paths to quiet trails through the forest. 

Harwood is also one of the red squirrel reserves in the north of England, so keep your eyes peeled for this rare species!

Forests of Rothbury, Simonside

The Simonside Hills lie within Northumberland National Park on the northern-most edge of Harwood forest and have beckoned walkers for years because of their wild and rugged beauty. The range dominates the skyline forming a dramatic southern backdrop to the middle reaches of the River Coquet.

The climb up the hills to the top (430m) is rewarded with the whole panorama of the Cheviots to the north and from the top of Simonside itself, the whole Northumbrian coastline is revealed.

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