Kielder Castle

Visitor information

Discover endless opportunity at England's largest forest

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 £12.

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. The nearby Kielder Salmon Centre 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 currently closed for winter.

Please note that pending refurbishment Kielder Castle is temporarily closed – The Street Diner Takeaway is currently closed. We expect to reopen in 2024, with further information to come soon.

The Gruffalo is celebrating his 25th birthday and to celebrate, everyone is invited to take part in a brand-new forest adventure.

What to expect

The interactive family trail features all sorts of party-themed activities and games, along with fun facts to teach you about life in the forest for the Gruffalo and other creatures.

Follow the trail to help find the missing party items to give the Gruffalo a birthday to remember. Search for balloons, pine cones, apples and the Gruffalo himself, and complete fun activities and rubbings as you go along.

Get the party started with a Gruffalo Party Trail pack from the Street Diner

Pick up your pack for just £4 from the Visitor Centre during opening hours, packed with fun things to do on your party adventure.

Inside you’ll find:

kraft bag to colour inparty headband to wearparty trail activity leafletstickerspencil and crayonkeepsake sew-on Gruffalo Party patch

Share your party fun using the #GruffaloTrail hashtag.

The Gruffalo © 1999 & TM Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler. Licensed by Magic Light Pictures Ltd.

Stay overnight for just £12!

We are happy to welcome campervans to stay overnight in our castle car park - there's nowhere quite like England's largest forest for a truly unforgettable night!

Park up after 5pm and soak up stunning dark sky views.

Please note that we do not allow tent, touring caravan or car parking - click HERE for information on nearby campsites.

Plan your stay

Get ready to your visit at www.visitkielder.com - it's packed with great suggestions on what to see and do, as well as where to eat.

Please visit responsibly

Don't park on verges or block gates or junctions

Leave no trace - take all waste away with you

Use self-contained toilet facilities inside your vehicle only (toilet block available at Kielder Castle car park)

Don't start fires or use BBQs (gas or charcoal)

Maximum continuous stay - two nights

With multiple walking routes to choose from a great day out at Kielder Water and Forest Park can be enjoyed by everyone. 

Stunning scenery and increased mental well-being are just a few things to look forward to when you walk in the great outdoors.

Whether you've just bought your first bike or are searching out single-track, Kielder Forest offers a fantastic opportunity for natural cycling.

With over 100 miles of trail, much of it single-track and all of it traffic-free, Kielder has a trail for you. 

 

Nearby forests

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.

small un-surfaced trail winding through dark autumnal trees to lake in the distance

With two nearby walking trails and a picnic area, Sidwood is at the heart of this delightful part of Kielder Forest, just two miles from the village of Greenhaugh.

Raised walking path next to stream in the forest

At the northern end of Kielder Forest Drive, Blakehopeburnhaugh is the starting point for the Hindhope Linn walking trail. The trail leads you to the spectacular waterfall in an enchanting dell, a local sight not to be missed!

Reward yourself with a tasty picnic after your forest adventure or if you're keen to discover more, venture over to the Pennine Way long-distance footpath, accessible from the car park. 

Picnic table at sunrise

More than just a picture perfect spot for your next picnic, Warksburn is overlooked by the famous Totem Poles of Stonehaugh village, adding some fascinating depth to the view from your picnic. 

Membership invitation - click to find out more about membership
Volunteer with us invitation - click to discover volunteer opportunities across England