The nation's forests are for all to enjoy
This page offers information to help you plan a stress-free visit to Kielder Forest.
Essentials
Toilets
There are three accessible toilets at Kielder. One is located in the toilet block in Castle Courtyard, and one is located near the cycle shop. The other accessible toilet is located at Blakehopeburnhaugh. Keys are not needed to access these toilets. Doors are a minimum of 870mm in width and are not power assisted.
Additionally there are 11 ladies toilets and five men's toilets, plus urinals.
Changing Places
There are no Changing Places facilities at Kielder.
Arriving at the forest
Kielder has five car parks. The main Kielder Castle car park is located at the visitor centre.
A bus runs from Bellingham to Kielder Forest every couple of hours on Saturdays only, which stops outside Kielder Castle.
Car parking
There are no accessible parking bays, however parking is possible in a lay by outside the front of Kielder Castle.
Parking is not free. All car parks are Pay and Display, using card only. Paying via RingGo is available at outlying car parks such as Elfkirk, Skyspace & Blakehopeburnhaugh. These tickets are transferrable to Kielder Castle car park and other car parks along Kielder Water.
Visitor centre
Kielder Forest has an information point that is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays only, accessed via a tarmac path. From Kielder Castle car park there is a steep decline down towards the castle.
The doors to the visitor centre are manual and open in and outwards, with a width of 800mm.
There is a serving hatch at the information point serving food and drink, but there is no seated cafe on site.
Getting out into the forest
There is no all-terrain mobility scooter hire at Kielder Forest.
The Duke's Trail at Kielder is suitable for some wheelchairs, however it does have one area with a short steep incline. It starts from Kielder Castle.
The Lakeside Way 26 mile loop is also suitable for wheelchairs and can be done in sections, with access starting from any of the car parks along the C200.
Seating and shelter
Benches and seating is available in the castle grounds.
Trails and activities
Many of our walking and cycling trails are suitable for a range of abilities. Visit our Things to Do page for inspiration.