Kielder Castle

Kielder Castle visitor centre is currently closed for redevelopment of the ground floor and courtyard. There will be more information in the coming months on how the development will progress.

Please note Kielder Castle is shut until further notice and there are no catering facilities currently at the site.

This forest is currently closed due to the recent storm. We hope to be open as soon as possible.

Visitor information

Opening hours

Kielder Castle visitor centre is currently closed for an eagerly anticipated redevelopment of the ground floor and courtyard. We hope work will be completed in 2023, when the centre will reopen with an enlarged cafe space and rooms to sit and relax. There will be more information in the coming months on how the development will progress.

How to find us

Kielder Castle, Kielder

Sat Nav Postcode: NE48 1ER

By Car

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.

OS Grid Ref

NY632934

Get directions

55.2335711, -2.5805507

Parking and prices

Parking Charges

Main Car Park
Up to 1 hour	£1.50
All day	£5.00

Forest Drive (Toll road)
All day	£3.00

Forest Drive Toll and Car Park
All day	£7.00

Campervans Overnight Parking at Kielder Castle Only (Discovery Pass membership not included, additional charges apply)
After 5pm	£10.00

Additional information

Regular visitors can save money by becoming a Member -

Number of accessible parking spaces: 0

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

Card payments accepted

Disabled parking available

Facilities and access

Castle building and visitor information point - closed
Café - closed
Takeaway Diner - closed
Cycle hire - open
Picnic areas - open
Kielder Observatory - closed
Forest Drive - closed

Food to go is available at present in the grounds at Kielder Castle. The Sea Diner is serving an array of freshly cooked take-away food, including the Fishy Friday specials where freshly caught fish from the Northumberland or Scottish North Sea Waters are served!

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

Toilets

Contact details

Landline Number

01434 250209

E-Mail Address

kieldercastle@forestryengland.uk

Kielder Castle

Discover endless opportunity at England's largest forest

Please note Kielder Castle is shut until further notice and there are no catering facilities currently at the site.

A visit to 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. You can 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.

For families we have the fantastic Gruffalo Spotters trail which starts at Kielder Castle. We also have one of England's largest mountain bike trail networks! Located adjacent to Kielder Castle is the Kielder Cycle Centre which offers bikes for all ages and disciplines as well as up to date, electric assisted cycles. We advise pre-booking rental bikes as demand is high at present.

Kielder is a great place to see a variety of wildlife. 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 the fantastic work the Environment Agency carry out in the area, including rearing salmon and also protecting pearl mussels.

Kielder Forest Drive is now closed until May 2022.

You can even explore the forest from the comfort of your car along the Kielder Forest Drive, which starts at Kielder Castle - it should be noted this is an unsurfaced road and best suited for 4x4 vehicles, not a suitable road for low to the ground vehicles.