What to see and do around Kielder

A range of outdoor pursuits are available in this beautiful part of Northumberland. In addition, the miles of walking and cycling trails are a superb way to observe the area's abundant flora and fauna where red squirrels, roe deer, otter and osprey can be found.

Go walking trails	Tower Knowe visitor centre
Go cycling trails	Kielder art and architecture
Kielder Play Garden	Kielder Castle Forest Park
Osprey Ferry	Water sports
Pleasure boat hire

Go walking trails

Discover the delights of Kielder Water & Forest Park on foot and explore the beautiful lakes shoreline and verdant forest glades provided and maintained by Northumbrian Water and Forest Enterprise.

Guides can be purchased at Leaplish Waterside Park reception that detail the various walks around Kielder and provide routes and maps.

Go cycling trails

Kielder Water & Forest Park can offer a range of facilities and opportunities for all cyclists ranging from the beginner to the experienced competition rider. Kielder is fast becoming known as one of the best centres for mountain bike riding in Britain. 

For those without two-wheeled transport you can hire a bike from The Bike Place, call 01434 250 457, or visit the website www.thebikeplace.co.uk for more information.

Kielder Play Garden

An adventurous addition to Kielder Partnerships programme of art and architectural commissions. Play Garden provides a new and unusual playground for children visiting Leaplish Waterside Park.  Designed by Zone Architects in Edinburgh in collaboration with Yorkshire based Image Playgrounds it was officially opened on September 14th 2006.

Play Garden uses a combination of landscape design, sculptural elements, state of the art play equipment and brightly patterned tower structures to transform an area of Leaplish Waterside Park into a miniature landscape suitable for children of all ages to play in.

Osprey ferry

The 74 - seater motor cruiser, ‘Osprey’, is the ideal way to see the lake in comfort and safety. On board facilities include full commentary, bar, shop, heated lounge and toilets. Sailings call at Leaplish, Tower Knowe, Belvedere and Mirage (new for 2009).

The ‘Osprey’ ferry can accommodate manual wheel chairs and bikes (limited spaces) around the lake.

The ferry will operate daily with extended sailings offered throughout the season.  Times may be subject to change and weather dependant, any queries call 01434 251 000. 

People wanting to learn more about the iconic osprey birds rearing triplet chicks at Kielder Water & Forest Park, and increase their chances of seeing the adult birds hunting, can take a special daily cruise on the public ferry, also called Osprey.  For more information please see the news release 'Osprey Ferry Special Daily Cruise'.  

Please view / download the new timetable with prices below:

Document	PDF
Osprey ferry timetable and price list 2009

Pleasure boat hire

One of the best ways to appreciate Europe’s largest man-made lake and its surrounding areas is afloat on the water. Boat hire is available from Leaplish Reception in July through to August, times may be subject to change and depend on the weather.  Rules and regulations do apply.

Hire period	19th July - 31st August 2009.
Available	Sat to Sun (first hire period 12 noon, last hire period begins at 16:00 for full hour and 16:30 for half an hour).
Charges	£19 per hour or £12 per half hour (regardless of number of boat occupants).

Kielder art and architecture

The landscape around Kielder Water & Forest Park has become the home of a unique collection of visual art and architecture, inspiring artists and architects to create work in response to its vastness and beauty. Located at sites around the lake and within the forest, this open air gallery with its vibrant and challenging collection of visual art and architecture will surprise and intrigue the visitor.

Guides to the artwork are available from Leaplish reception which detail the location and the inspiration behind the works. Why not see how many you can visit?

Tower Knowe visitor centre

Facilities include the Kielder Water exhibition, gift and fishing tackle shop, ferry point, picnic area, car park, toilets, self guided trails and it is the base for the Kielder Water sailing club.  Café on the water sells light bites and refreshments in a picturesque setting on the waters edge.

Open daily until the end of October 2009.

April and October	10am to 4pm (school holidays 10am to 5pm).
May, June and September	10am to 5pm.
July and August	10am to 6pm.

All buildings are accessible to wheel chair users.

Kielder Castle Forest Park visitor centre

Kielder Castle, a former hunting lodge for the Duke of Northumberland overlooks Kielder Village.

Open daily

April to October	10am to 5pm.
Weekends only	November to Christmas (11am – 4pm).
Attractions	Kielder Forest and Birds of Kielder exhibitions, Duchess art gallery, gift shop, Dukes pantry restaurant, guided walks and events program, bike hire, forest drive (toll), childrens adventure playground, picnic area, car park and toilets.

Water sports

Boats up to 10 metres in length can use Kielder Water, both sail and motor cruisers are allowed and permanent swinging moorings are available for rent on a seasonal basis. For further information contact 01434 250 312. 

Kielder Yacht Club is a cruising yacht club where members can enjoy a full calendar of social and sailing events. 

A 120 acre area of Kielder Water is set aside for water skiing, to ski in this area you need to contact the Kielder Water ski club on 01434 250 161. Merlin Brae ski club near Kielder's Whickhope Anchorage offer water ski instruction for both visitors and club members. For further information contact either
01434 250 037 (clubhouse) or 01429 872 350 (secretary).

Casual launching of craft

Please note: The following safety rules are applicable from March 2005 to canoeists and sailboarders:

• There must be a minimum of two persons aged 17 or over on the water together when undertaking these activities.
• Evidence of competency in the form of a recognised training certificate and or qualification must be presented.
• The decision of the duty ranger as to whether or not a craft can be launched will be final.
• In the interests of safety, Northumbrian Water reserves the right to amend these rules at any time without notice.

Please note: Kielder Water is a large expanse of water which is very cold and deep with underwater obstructions. Weather conditions can change rapidly. Health and safety is paramount; care and attention must be taken at all times.

(These rules are additional to and should be read in conjunction with, those listed in the Kielder Water Users’ Rules and Regulations 2005.)