2026 marks 100 years of Kielder Forest, a milestone celebrated with special events and new openings across the forest and beyond. Celebrate with a visit to this fantastic part of the county and use our guide to help you plan your break.
Towns and villages near Kielder
Kielder village – Let’s start with Kielder, a must-visit if you want to marvel at the twinkling stars of the International Dark Sky Park. With Kielder village as your base, you can expect a trip filled with wholesome lakeside strolls, walks in Kielder forest, water sports and cycling paths.
Bellingham – A charming, rural market town filled with history, beautiful viewpoints, and some of the best attractions like the Hareshaw Linn waterfall, Bellingham Heritage Centre, St Cuthbert’s Church, and the Pennine Walk and Cycle Way.
Falstone – A serene setting with hiking trails, mountain biking paths, and even salmon or trout fishing opportunities. Its 1.5-acre playground is a must-visit for families!
Otterburn – It’s hard to believe that the picturesque Otterburn once had a violent history! Thankfully, this Northumbrian community now offers plenty of walking opportunities, cycling routes, and quaint accommodation options.
Wark – Wark, also known as Wark on Tyne, is a small village just 12 miles north of Hexham.
Where to stay
Clear Sky Lodge Park: Set on 47 acres of private woodland outside Kielder village, Clear Sky Lodge Park offers four lodge options equipped with hot tubs. Guests of these Kielder lodges can expect nature trails on their doorstep.
Warksburn Old Church: A beautiful 1875 Presbyterian church conversion near Wark-on-Tyne featuring three bedrooms. Perfect for eco-conscious travellers with its net-zero energy credentials.
Battlesteads: A quaint hotel and restaurant that promises a warm and friendly welcome in the village of Wark. Tuck into locally sourced produce along with home-grown fruit and vegetables.
The Pheasant Inn: This 16th-century country inn continuously wows guests with its stone walls, open fires, and welcoming family feel. It has been run by the Kershaws since 1985!
Kielder Waterside: For waterside stays with fantastic on-site facilities, Kielder Waterside is a standout destination managed by Northumbrian Water with cosy lodges and serene lakeside views.
Greystead Holiday Cottages: Greystead Old Church and Coach House lie in the heart of the North Tyne Valley. Greystead Old Church is a stunning conversion of a listed former Georgian church, while the Georgian Coach House dates to 1817.
Bellingham Camping and Caravanning Club Site: If camping and caravanning is more your style, this award-winning campsite is nestled in the beautiful North Tyne Valley. Their friendly, well-maintained site offers 70 level grass and hardstanding pitches and four comfortable camping pods available for hire.
Crabtree & Crabtree: They are experts in creating curated escapes across North England, with a variety of dog-friendly stays, luxurious stately homes, whimsical cottages, and rustic shepherd’s huts on offer.
Things to do
Kielder Observatory: Kielder Observatory is nestled within Northumberland’s Dark Sky Park. Keep an eye out on their website for last-minute events, late-night viewings, educational talks, and child-friendly evening workshops.
Kielder Forest: Kielder Forest spans 250 square miles and is home to 150 million trees. It is the largest planted forest in England and contains the largest man-made lake in Northern Europe.
Kielder Castle: Due to re-open this autumn, once an 18th-century hunting lodge, Kielder Castle now acts as a visitor centre where families, couples, and solo travellers can learn about the area’s forestry, dark skies, and local legends.
The Sidecar Guys: Fancy something a bit different? For an incredible Kielder day out, start your day at The Sidecar Guys Experience Centre in the North East and book onto one of their passenger or rider experiences. Choose whether you’ll be riding or observing, and take a tour to Hadrian’s Wall and Forest, Kielder Forest Drive, or cast your eyes to the planets on their Dark Sky Experience.
Overland Adventures: Explore Kielder in a luxury Land Rover Defender with Overland Adventures. This award-winning company don’t just hand over the keys, but help you plan unforgettable adventures across Northumberland in rugged 4×4 rentals comprising Expedition-Ready Defenders with roof tents and Defender vehicles only for hire.
Saddle Skedaddle: Cycle Kielder with Saddle Skedaddle’s Northumberland Reiver Trails guided gravel holiday. This itinerary winds its way through England’s largest forest and is aimed at those with some off-road experience to fully enjoy and take in the forest trails, moorland bridleways and quiet backroads.
For even more inspiration, activities, and up-to-date events, don’t forget to visit visitkielder.com and visitnorthumberland.com