About Kielder
Kielder is a stunning rural area in Northumberland, England, known for its breathtaking natural beauty. Surrounded by lush forests and the vast Kielder Water, it offers a peaceful retreat for those seeking to connect with nature. The region is a sanctuary for nature lovers, providing a variety of pursuits like hiking, cycling, wildlife observation, and astronomy. Kielder is also renowned for its exceptionally dark skies, making it one of the best places in the UK for stargazing.
6 Breathtaking Tourist Attractions You Must Visit in Kielder
Here are some of the best six places to visit in Kielder for travel enthusiasts:
1. Kielder Observatory – Observatory
Kielder Observatory is an astronomical facility in Kielder Forest, Northumberland, England. Known for being one of the UK’s darkest locations, it offers an exceptional stargazing experience and attracts astronomy enthusiasts worldwide. The observatory hosts various events and educational activities to help visitors explore the night sky and learn about the cosmos.
Location:
Kielder Observatory is situated near Kielder Water & Forest Park, approximately 6 miles (10 km) from the village of Kielder in Northumberland. The remote location, with minimal light pollution, makes it ideal for stargazing.
Key Attractions:
- Stargazing: Kielder Observatory is one of the best places in the UK for stargazing, thanks to its position in the Kielder Dark Sky Park, one of Europe’s most significant areas of protected night sky.
- Astronomy Talks & Workshops: The observatory offers interactive sessions with expert astronomers, providing insights into the stars, planets, and galaxies visible in the night sky.
- Astrophotography: Opportunities to learn astrophotography techniques and capture stunning images of celestial events.
Things to Do:
- Night Sky Observations: Join guided evening stargazing sessions to spot planets, stars, and deep-sky objects, including the Milky Way.
- Family-Friendly Astronomy Events: The observatory hosts engaging, family-friendly events where kids can learn about space through fun, interactive activities.
- Daytime Visits: While primarily a nighttime attraction, the observatory also offers daytime visits, including exhibitions and solar telescope viewings.
2. The Bike Place Ltd – Bicycle Hire Shop
The Bike Place Ltd is a popular bicycle hire shop located in Kielder. It offers a wide selection of bikes so that guests can enjoy Kielder Water & Forest Park’s breathtaking scenery. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a beginner, the shop offers high-quality bikes and expert advice, making it easy for everyone to enjoy the area’s scenic trails and natural beauty.
Location:
The Bike Place Ltd is in Kielder Village, Northumberland, near Kielder Water & Forest Park.
Key Attractions:
- Kielder Forest Trails: The shop provides access to forest trails, from easy, family-friendly routes to more challenging, rugged paths for experienced cyclists.
- Kielder Water Circuit: The shop offers bikes for riding around Kielder Water, the largest artificial lake in northern England, with stunning views and peaceful surroundings.
- Border Reiver Trail: This 60-mile cycle trail around Kielder Forest is perfect for adventure cyclists. It offers varying terrain and incredible landscapes to explore.
Things to Do:
- Bicycle Hire: Choose from a range of bikes, including mountain bikes, electric bikes, and family bikes, to suit your cycling needs.
- Guided Cycling Tours: Take part in guided tours that offer insight into the local wildlife, history, and landmarks of the Kielder area, led by knowledgeable guides.
- Family Cycling Adventures: The Bike Place Ltd offers family-friendly bikes, including child trailers and tag-alongs, allowing families to enjoy cycling together in the great outdoors.
3. Minotaur Maze – Tourist Attraction
The Minotaur Maze is a popular outdoor attraction in Kielder Forest, Northumberland. This large, intricate maze offers a fun and challenging experience for visitors of all ages. Inspired by the mythical labyrinth from Greek mythology, the maze engages visitors as they navigate its winding paths to find the central tower. It’s an excellent spot for families, groups, and anyone looking to enjoy outdoor adventure in a beautiful forest setting.
Location:
The Minotaur Maze is situated in the rural Northumberland region in the Kielder Forest Park, close to Kielder Water. It’s easily accessible from the nearby Kielder Village and provides a perfect stop for exploring the area’s natural beauty.
Key Attractions:
- The Maze: The central attraction is the maze, designed with high hedges and challenging pathways. It leads to a central tower where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Kielder Water and the surrounding forest.
- Adventure & Challenge: The maze offers visitors a fun challenge, encouraging problem-solving and teamwork as they navigate twists and turns to find their way to the center.
- Scenic Views: Once inside the maze, visitors can take a break at the central tower, which offers stunning views of the surrounding Kielder Water & Forest Park.
Things to Do:
- Climb the Viewing Tower: After completing the maze, climb to the top of the tower for breathtaking views of Kielder Water and the surrounding countryside.
- Family Fun: The maze is ideal for families, providing a fun and interactive experience for children and adults alike.
- Picnicking and Relaxing: Peaceful woodland areas surround the maze, offering the perfect spot for a relaxing picnic or a quiet moment to enjoy the natural beauty of Kielder Forest.
4. Kielder Castle Visitor Centre Car Park – Car Park
The Kielder Castle Visitor Centre Car Park is a convenient and well-maintained parking area near Kielder Castle, within Kielder Forest in Northumberland. This car park is a starting point for visitors exploring the Kielder Water & Forest Park and surrounding attractions. It is an ideal spot for those visiting the nearby Kielder Castle and the surrounding forest trails or engaging in outdoor activities within the park.
Location:
The Kielder Castle Visitor Centre Car Park is just outside Kielder Castle, a short distance from Kielder Village. Situated within the vast Kielder Forest, the car park is easily accessible for those heading to Kielder Water and the various trails and attractions in the area.
Key Attractions:
- Kielder Castle: The car park is near Kielder Castle, a historic 18th-century castle set in the heart of Kielder Forest. Visitors can explore the castle’s grounds, enjoy its café, or take part in guided tours.
- Kielder Water & Forest Park: The car park offers easy access to Kielder Water, the largest artificial lake in northern England, and the surrounding forest, which features numerous walking, cycling, and outdoor activities.
- Kielder Observatory: A short drive from the car park, the Kielder Observatory offers stargazing and astronomy events in one of the UK’s darkest skies.
Things to Do:
- Walking & Cycling Trails: From the car park, visitors can access a variety of trails, including Lakeside Way and forest paths, which are perfect for hiking and cycling.
- Kielder Water Activities: The car park is a short distance from Kielder Water, where visitors can enjoy sailing, fishing, and kayaking.
- Explore Local Wildlife: The surrounding Kielder Forest and Water offer opportunities to spot wildlife, including birds, deer, and other woodland creatures.
5. Landal Kielder Waterside – Holiday Park
In the center of Kielder Water & Forest Park in Northumberland sits the peaceful vacation park, Landal Kielder Waterside. Families, nature lovers, and those seeking outdoor adventure will love this park, which has a variety of lodges and vacation homes. With breathtaking views of Kielder Water and convenient access to various activities, it’s the ideal starting point for discovering the area’s natural beauty.
Location:
Landal Kielder Waterside is located on the southern shore of Kielder Water, approximately 4 miles from the village of Kielder in Northumberland. The park is nestled within Kielder Forest, providing a peaceful and scenic setting surrounded by woodlands, hills, and the expansive lake.
Key Attractions:
- Kielder Water: The park offers direct access to Kielder Water, where visitors can enjoy various water-based activities, including sailing, kayaking, and fishing.
- Kielder Forest: Kielder Forest surrounds the park, offering excellent opportunities for walking, cycling, and wildlife watching. The forest features numerous trails, including the Lakeside Way, for scenic exploration.
- Outdoor Adventure: Landal Kielder Waterside is well-known for its outdoor adventure activities, including archery, forest walks, and mountain biking.
Things to Do:
- Cycling & Walking Trails: Access a variety of cycling and walking trails, including the popular Lakeside Way, which circles Kielder Water and offers scenic views of the lake and forest.
- Wildlife Watching: Due to the abundance of wildlife in the area, tourists can frequently encounter birds, deer, and other animals while strolling or riding through Kielder Forest.
- Kielder Observatory Stargazing: For a one-of-a-kind experience, visit Kielder Observatory. Knowledgeable astronomers will lead you across the night sky and share their knowledge of the cosmos.
6. Black Middens Bastle House – Heritage Building
Black Middens Bastle House, a historic 16th-century structure in Northumberland’s Kielder Forest, was built as a fortified farmhouse during the turbulent border disputes between Scotland and England. The bastle house has been well-preserved, offering visitors an intriguing glimpse into the past. It’s an ideal destination for those interested in architecture, history, and the region’s heritage.
Location:
Black Middens Bastle House is located in the remote Kielder Forest, approximately 5 miles southeast of Kielder Village, in Northumberland. It is surrounded by forested hills, making it a scenic and peaceful place to visit while exploring the Kielder area.
Key Attractions:
- Historical Significance: The Bastle House is a rare example of a fortified farmhouse built in the 1500s to protect its inhabitants from raids. It provides valuable insight into the time’s living conditions and defense mechanisms.
- Rural Setting: The house is surrounded by a beautiful Kielder Forest, offering stunning views and a tranquil atmosphere. The remote location adds to the building’s charm and history.
- Architecture: The Bastle house’s structure attracts attention with its thick stone walls, narrow windows, and distinctive design, all intended to protect against the volatile border skirmishes of the era.
Things to Do:
- Explore the House: Visit the Bastle House to learn about its history and simple yet sturdy architecture. The building is open to the public, though due to its preservation status, the interior may not be fully accessible.
- Walk Around the Site: The house is located in a scenic part of Kielder Forest, perfect for a peaceful walk. Explore the surrounding area to enjoy nature and view the forested hills.
- Photography: The house and its surroundings make excellent photography opportunities, with the historic building set against the Kielder countryside.
Culinary Delights
Kielder, located in Northumberland, offers a range of delicious culinary delights that reflect the region’s local ingredients, traditional British flavors, and beautiful natural surroundings. Here are six culinary delights you can enjoy when visiting Kielder:
- Locally Sourced Game Meat: Northumberland is known for its wild game, and Kielder is no exception. Local restaurants often feature venison, wild boar, and pheasant on their menus. These meats are typically sourced from the nearby Kielder Forest, making them fresh and flavorful. You can find dishes like venison stew, roasted wild boar, or pheasant served in local eateries.
- Northumberland Sausages: Northumberland is home to various traditional sausages, often made with locally raised pork and seasoned with herbs and spices. These sausages can be found in many local pubs and restaurants as part of a hearty breakfast, in a traditional bangers and mash dish, or sandwiches.
- Kielder Water Fish: Kielder Water is the largest artificial lake in the UK, rich in trout and salmon. Locally caught fish from the lake are used in various dishes, including smoked trout, grilled fish fillets, and fish pies, offering fresh, delicious flavors of the region.
- Northumberland Cheeses: The region is known for its high-quality cheeses, such as the rich and creamy Northumberland cheddar. Local producers offer various kinds of cheese, often paired with fresh bread or used in cheese platters, sandwiches, and soups. Try the famous “Northumberland Blue,” a tangy blue cheese.
- Homemade Pies and Pasties: Pies and pasties, filled with locally sourced meats, vegetables, and game, are a Northumberland classic served in Kielder’s cafés and pubs.
- Traditional Cumbrian Cider: Kielder is near the border of Cumbria, a region known for its cider production. Local cider makers craft a variety of conventional apple ciders using apples grown in the area’s orchards. Ciders range from dry to sweet, offering a refreshing drink for any meal.
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