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About Kielder Castle Forest Park Centre
Built in 1775 as a hunting lodge for the Duke of Northumberland, the Castle is now the focal point for visitors to the forest. The Castle itself houses a series of exhibitions about the forest and its wildlife, together with an information centre, gift shop and licensed restaurant. New for 2010 is an osprey camera providing live footage of Northumberland's only nesting pair, an interactive red squirrel exhibition and a local history exhibition focussing on the bastles built during the 'Border Reivers' period. Upstairs in the visitor centre is the Duchess Gallery. The gallery is housed in the former sitting room of the Duke of Northumberland and plays host to the work of a different artist each month. Follow the link 'Art and Architecture' on the right hand side for more information on the current artist. Next to the Gallery is the classroom. This is available for hire and is often used for various workshops arranged by the Forestry Commission. The grounds include picnic sites, children's playground and the start of the Duke and Duchess walking trails. From here you can test your skills on the orienteering course and the start of the cycling trails, with a mountain bike skills loop. Within the grounds of the Castle is a work of art called Minotaur, which is a maze built of basalt stone and glass.There is also a bird viewing platform in the castle grounds.
How to get there:
Kielder Castle Forest Park Centre is in Kielder which is part of Kielder. Kielder Village near Bellingham is the nearest town or village.
Kielder Castle is situated at the northern end of Kielder Water, off the C200.
OS Grid Reference: NY632934
For details of public transport visit http://www.transportdirect.info
Other places to go in Kielder
What's on in Kielder
August
- Working Forest Visit Tuesday 27 July 2010
Tuesday 3 August 2010
Tuesday 10 August 2010
Tuesday 17 August 2010
Tuesday 24 August 2010
Tuesday 31 August 2010
Tuesday 26 October 2010 - Footfest Saturday 28 August 2010 to Sunday 5 September 2010
- Kielder Foot Festival Saturday 28 August 2010 to Sunday 5 September 2010
September
- Bat Night Saturday 22 May 2010
Saturday 25 September 2010 - Footfest Saturday 28 August 2010 to Sunday 5 September 2010
- Kielder Foot Festival Saturday 28 August 2010 to Sunday 5 September 2010
- Kielder Challenge Walk Saturday 4 September 2010
- Montane Kielder 100 Saturday 4 September 2010
- Beginners' Workshop on Mushrooms Saturday 18 September 2010
October
- 4 x 4 Safari Saturday 27 March 2010
Saturday 5 June 2010
Saturday 31 July 2010
Saturday 2 October 2010 - The Border Raid MTB Race Saturday 8 May 2010
Saturday 17 July 2010
Saturday 16 October 2010 - Badger Watch Saturday 8 May 2010
Sunday 10 October 2010
Saturday 15 May 2010 - Working Forest Visit Tuesday 27 July 2010
Tuesday 3 August 2010
Tuesday 10 August 2010
Tuesday 17 August 2010
Tuesday 24 August 2010
Tuesday 31 August 2010
Tuesday 26 October 2010 - Fungal Foray Sunday 3 October 2010
Sunday 17 October 2010 - Late Season Mushroom Workshop Saturday 16 October 2010
- Halloween Hauntings Saturday 30 October 2010
Facilities:
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We have 17 backpacking sites throughout the forest as well as 8 mountain bothy facilities, further information is available at the visitor centre or by contacting Margaret Hardon on 01434 221012 or at margaret.hardon@forestry.gsi. gov.uk |
Activities
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A number of walking routes are available from the Castle. Walks leaflets are available from local tourist information centres. Lakeside Way Skyspace Duchess Trail Duke's Trail Bakethin North Shore The Belling Bull Crag Lewisburn Deadwater Walking Trail |
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Cycle routes from Kielder Castle: Deadwater Mountain Bike Trail Osprey Mountain Bike Trail Castle Wood Skills Loop Borderline Up and Over Cross Border Trail Lakeside Way Cycle Trail Lonesome Pine Trail Bloody Bush Mountain Bike Trail |
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A 12 mile forest drive from Kielder Castle to the A68. Kielder Forest Drive |
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A year - round education service is on offer at the Castle, with our recreation rangers providing a wide range of environmental education activities. A classroom is also available for use in the Castle on those rare wet days! |
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Burn fishing permits available from Kielder Castle, during the season, at £7.50 per adult/£3.50 concessions per day. Kielder Water fishing permits and information from Leaplish Waterside Park, tel 01434 250312 |
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A picturesque 70 pitch camping and carvaning site in Kielder village, surrounded by Kielder Forest. Info and bookings on 01434 250291 |
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Many forms of watersport are available on Kielder Water, for general information contact Leaplish Waterside Park 01434 250312 For details of watercraft hire contact Hawkhirst Scout Camp 01434 250217 |
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The forest is especially noted as a good site to see birds of prey, such as the elusive Goshawk. Information about bird watching and conservation is provided in the exhibition at Kielder Castle. Within the grounds of the Castle there are a variety of bird and suirrel feeding stations. |
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Two junior courses and one full adult course (covering approximately 3 square kilometres) all start from Kielder Castle. |
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Within the arboretum a number of wooden sculptures can be found. |
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The Duchess gallery within Kielder Castle houses monthly exhibitions from local artists. |
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Recently Kielder is becoming well known for its award - winning Art and Architecture programme which features the Kielder Skyspace by American artist James Turrell. More details from the Kielder Partnership website www.kielder.org or tel 01434 220643 |
Contact:
Kielder Castle01434 250209
e-mail: kieldercastle@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
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