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Explore the stunning Kielder Water & Forest Park, great for hiking, cycling, and birdwatching. Don't miss the chance to stargaze under one of the UK’s darkest skies—perfect for a peaceful evening. Adventure awaits!

Kielder Observatory

Stargazing at Kielder Observatory is one of the most unique astronomy experiences in the UK, set deep within Kielder Water & Forest Park and surrounded by the vast darkness of the Northumberland International Award Winning Dark Sky Park.

The observatory offers visitors the chance to explore the night sky through powerful telescopes, with expert-led events that reveal planets, distant galaxies, and seasonal constellations.

The remote forest location provides ideal conditions for viewing the Milky Way, meteor showers, and even the Northern Lights on rare occasions, making it a must-visit destination for both beginners and experienced stargazers seeking an unforgettable night under some of the darkest skies in Europe.

Cycling

Cycling around Kielder Water & Forest Park and across Northumberland is one of the best ways to explore the region, with routes suited to everything from relaxed family rides to serious mountain biking. At Kielder, the standout route is the Lakeside Way, a largely traffic-free 26-mile loop around the reservoir, perfect for gravel bikes and hybrids, with stunning water views, forest sections, and plenty of places to stop. For more technical riding, the park also offers purpose-built MTB trails like the Deadwater Fell routes, known for challenging climbs and fast descents, as well as quieter forest tracks for casual riders.

Beyond Kielder, Northumberland opens up even more cycling opportunities. The long-distance Sandstone Way is a popular off-road route stretching from the coast into the hills, while scenic road cycling can be found through Northumberland National Park, where quiet roads, rolling terrain, and expansive views make for rewarding rides. Coastal routes near Bamburgh Castle and Holy Island offer flatter terrain with dramatic sea views.



With bike hire available around Kielder, well-marked trails, and a mix of terrains from forest tracks to open countryside, cycling here caters to beginners and experienced riders alike, making Northumberland a top destination for outdoor cycling adventures in the UK.

Walking

Walking around Kielder Water & Forest Park and the wider Northumberland area offers some of the most scenic and peaceful hiking in the UK, with routes ranging from gentle lakeside strolls to rugged countryside trails. Around Kielder, the Lakeside Way is a standout—a long-distance circular route (about 26 miles) that can be tackled in sections, taking you through forest, shoreline, and open viewpoints with chances to spot wildlife like ospreys and red squirrels. Shorter walks include trails near Tower Knowe Visitor Centre and forest routes leading to hidden viewpoints and art installations scattered throughout the park.

Beyond Kielder, Northumberland is packed with iconic walking locations. The path along Hadrian’s Wall offers dramatic history and sweeping views, especially around Housesteads and Steel Rigg, while the Northumberland National Parkprovides remote hills, quiet valleys, and excellent dark skies. Coastal walks are equally impressive, with routes near Bamburgh Castle and Holy Island delivering wide sandy beaches and sea views.



Whether you’re after an easy woodland walk, a full-day hike, or a multi-day adventure, Kielder and Northumberland combine natural beauty, low crowds, and well-marked trails, making them ideal for walkers of all levels year-round.

Bellingham Golf Club

Golf at Bellingham Golf Club offers a peaceful and scenic experience in the heart of the North Tyne Valley, making it a hidden gem for golfers visiting Northumberland. This 18-hole parkland course is known for its well-maintained fairways, natural rolling terrain, and stunning views of the surrounding countryside, providing both a relaxing setting and a fair challenge for players of all abilities.

The course layout incorporates gentle elevation changes and tree-lined holes, rewarding accuracy and course management while remaining enjoyable for casual golfers. With a welcoming clubhouse, affordable green fees, and a quiet, uncrowded atmosphere compared to more commercial courses, Bellingham Golf Club is an ideal destination for those seeking a laid-back round of golf in one of Northumberland’s most picturesque rural locations.

Wild Life

Wildlife in Northumberland is rich and diverse, with some of the UK’s most iconic species thriving in its remote landscapes—especially around Kielder Water & Forest Park.

The area is particularly famous for its population of Osprey, which breed around Kielder Water each spring and summer, offering visitors a chance to see these impressive fish-eating raptors diving into the reservoir.

Equally special are the native Red Squirrel, which have found a stronghold in Kielder’s vast conifer forests, making it one of the best places in England to spot them in the wild.

Beyond Kielder, Northumberland’s varied habitats—from coastline to upland moor—support an array of wildlife including roe deer, otters, badgers, and a wide range of birdlife such as curlews and buzzards. Coastal areas are also home to puffins and grey seals, particularly around the Farne Islands. With its low population density and protected landscapes, Northumberland provides a rare opportunity to experience wildlife in a truly natural setting, making it a top destination for nature lovers and photographers alike.

Stargazing

At Stay Northumberland, we believe every night is a chance for a new adventure, especially when it comes to stargazing in our garden or balcony! Imagine settling into a cozy blanket as you gaze up at a sky filled with a million sparkling stars.

With minimal light pollution and the gentle sounds of nature surrounding you, our garden becomes your personal observatory. Settle in, and let the wonders of the universe unfold right above you!

Fishing

Fishing at Kielder Water and along the River North Tyne offers some of the best angling experiences in northern England, combining world-class trout fishing with premier salmon river opportunities.

Kielder Water, the UK’s largest reservoir, is renowned for its stocked rainbow trout and wild brown trout, attracting anglers for both boat and bank fishing using fly and bait techniques, while the River North Tyne is famous for its runs of salmon, sea trout, and wild brown trout, making it a top destination for fly fishing enthusiasts seeking challenging, fast-flowing water.

With easy access through day permits at Kielder and schemes like the Tyne Angling Passport for river beats, this area provides flexible fishing options suitable for beginners and experienced anglers alike, all set within the scenic landscapes of Northumberland.

Water Sports

Kielder is a fantastic destination for water sports, offering space, scenery, and a real sense of adventure on the vast expanse of Kielder Water, the largest man-made lake in Northern Europe. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful paddle or something more active, the calm, open waters are ideal for kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding, with plenty of quiet inlets to explore at your own pace. Sailing is also popular here, with steady winds and wide stretches of water making it suitable for both beginners and experienced sailors.

For those who prefer a bit more speed, there are opportunities for activities like windsurfing, while designated areas ensure everyone can enjoy the lake safely. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Kielder Forest, water sports at Kielder combine fresh air, freedom, and stunning views, making it an unforgettable way to experience the landscape from a completely different perspective.

Photography

Photography around Kielder offers a rare chance to capture some of England’s most untouched and dramatic natural beauty, where vast forests, open skies, and still waters create ever-changing scenes.

The sweeping shoreline of Kielder Water provides stunning reflections at sunrise and sunset, while the surrounding wilderness of Kielder Forest is home to red squirrels, deer, ospreys, and a wide variety of birdlife—perfect for wildlife photography throughout the seasons. As night falls, the area becomes truly exceptional; located within the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, Kielder is one of the best places in the UK for astrophotography, with incredibly low light pollution revealing the Milky Way, meteor showers, and countless stars on clear nights. Whether you’re capturing mist rising over the water, wildlife in the forest, or the vast star-filled sky above, Kielder is a photographer’s dream in every direction.

Local History

Northumberland’s history is written across its wild landscape, from the mighty Hadrian’s Wall, built by the Romans in the 2nd century to mark the edge of their empire, to the dramatic medieval strongholds like Bamburgh Castle and Alnwick Castle that rose to defend a fiercely contested border.

For centuries, this frontier between England and Scotland was a place of tension and lawlessness, giving rise to the infamous Border Reivers—raiding families who lived by their own rules, stealing cattle and clashing in brutal skirmishes.

To survive in such a dangerous land, local people built fortified farmhouses known as bastle houses, simple yet sturdy stone structures designed to protect both families and livestock from attack. Together, these layers of history create a powerful sense of place, where Roman ambition, medieval warfare, and rugged border life all leave their mark on Northumberland’s enduring character.

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