Kielder

The incredible and unique life cycle of the salmon starts here! The Environment Agency’s Salmon Centre is the largest conservation Salmon hatchery in England and Wales. Visit the centre to learn all about why the Environment Agency raises thousands of young salmon to be released into the River Tyne - the country's most thriving salmon river. But that's not all you can see here! The Centre also rears fresh water pearl mussels, one of the UK's most endangered species, which you can see in our outdoor river system. Come here to: take a walk around the visitor centre to find out more about the fascinating life cycle of the Atlantic salmon and the work of the Salmon Centre. See the adult fresh-water pearl mussels living in our artificial stream and the trout that are a vital part of their fascinating lifecycle. Open daily from the start of April until the end of September.

As well as a visitor hub in a scenic location, offering many things to see and do, Kielder Waterside is also a centre for staying guests. With panoramic views of the reservoir, this is the ideal base to recharge and refresh or take part in an action-packed day of activities. Facilities are open to both day visitors and onsite guests. Luxury lodge accommodation activities include; segways, archery, crazy carts, water walker and disc golf http://www.bookwhen.com/kielderwatersideactivities . Water activities include paddleboarding & canoeing, pleasure boat & fishing boat hire (seasonal), lakeside way & other trails, bike hire (seasonal), miniature golf, Indoor swimming pool, sauna & spa (pre-booking required), gift & essentials shop including fishing permits, tackle & outdoor wear, birds of prey centre, outdoor children’s play area & indoor soft play, art & architecture, human burrow, the Forest Bar & Kitchen Hide café, Osprey Ferry terminus - bookwhen.com/kielderwatersideferry, tipi weddings, toilets, disabled access, Kielder Waterside Caravan Park (seasonal) - to book your pitch please visit: www.bookwhen.com/kielderwatersidecaravanpark

Overlooking the Kielder Burn and the North Tyne River before it enters Kielder Water, the Grade 2 listed castle was once a former hunting lodge of the Duke of Northumberland. It now serves as a family walking and cycling centre, forest exploration and discovery venue and the gateway to the largest network of mountain biking trails in England which include the Deadwater Trails, the new Deadwater Mile Down fast downhills and the new The Lonestar Trail which is suitable for adapted and 4-wheel bikes. Kielder Castle is also a start point for several walking and cycling trails including the Stickman Trail, Wallace & Gromit trails and the fabulous Lakeside Way. You can hire bikes at Kielder Castle, including e-bikes, trailers and other accessories from Team Cycles, located between the castle and parking area. In the castle location, you will also find artworks including Minotaur Maze. The castle is also the start/finish of the scenic 4x4 Forest Drive (to A68 & Redesdale). Near to Kielder Castle is the Kielder Salmon Centre, Kielder historic viaduct, Bakethin Nature Reserve and Kielder Campsite. Note that Kielder Castle Cafe is currently closed for renovations.

The landscape around Kielder has become the home to a unique collection of visual art and architecture structures. These have been created by artists who have been inspired by the scale and complexity of Kielder’s varied, fascinating history and its unique environment. Many people visit Kielder for this open-air art experience but for some, they are a surprising curiosity discovered on a walk or bike ride and provide point of interest, a place to rest, contemplate, take in the landscape and environment, and take a picture. The artworks are located around the lake on or near the Lakeside Way, within the forest, on the surrounding fells, and in the neighbouring Northumberland National Park with most pieces being fully accessible to visitors. The varied works include ‘Bakethin Hide’, a wildlife watching space (delivered in collaboration with Newcastle University’s School of Architecture as part the Testing Ground programme), the award-winning futuristic shelter ‘Kielder Belvedere’ (by Softroom Architects); ‘Kielder Skyspace’ light sculpture (by James Turrell), “Silvas Capitalis” (by SIMPARCH) giant head structure that watches and listens to the nuances of forest life and “Minotaur”, a contemporary maze (by Nick Coombe & Shona Kitchen) sited within the grounds of Kielder Castle. Please follow the Art & Architecture link in VisitKielder.com for full details about each artwork including where they are, how to get to them and the story behind their creation.

Nestled in the Kielder Water and Forest Park in Northumberland, Kielder Observatory is a spectacular experience for all the family. At nearly 580 square miles, our dark sky zone, known as Northumberland and Kielder Water & Forest International Dark Sky Park, is the second largest area of protected night sky in Europe. Here the stargazing can be breath-taking: the ‘Kielder moment’ is very special, the moment that visitors look up at the glittering skies and realise that they’re completely connected to this vast cosmos, yet utterly unique within it. Like the deck of a ship sailing above the landscape, the Observatory provides astronomers with a permanent facility in the heart of Northumberland. It is part of the art and architecture programme that has turned Kielder Water and Forest Park into an open-air gallery over the last 10 years. The observatory hosts events to suit everyone: there are family events to entertain young explorers; relaxed events for people with different abilities; introductory events; legends behind the constellations events; and events focusing on phenomena such as the aurora, our moon, dark matter, and exoplanets. Access to the Observatory is for ticket-holders only: booking is essential and can be done via the website. The access track is 2 miles long, uncased and single lane so is only opened for events one hour before to ensure traffic up and down the track is managed properly. Visitors can walk up to the Observatory during the day and enjoy the spectacular views but there are no facilities available during the day. Close to the Observatory is James Turrell\'s Kielder Skyspace, a circular sculpture which is illuminated by a combination of natural and artificial light. Skyspace can be accessed via the track to the Observatory. During dusk, the LED lighting system is triggered and as the exterior light changes - the effect is a rich and unforgettable display of tone and colour. Kielder Observatory — a beacon for dark skies. Come and find your infinite inspiration. For more information about Northumberland International Dark Sky Park see our Dark Skies page. Come here to: Learn about the night sky and use the powerful telescopes. Meet experienced astronomers and learn how to take stunning photographs of distant objects in the Universe. Experience meteor showers (shooting stars) and other celestial events. Kielder Observatory is also part of the art and architecture programme. Find out more about its striking design here https://kielderobservatory.org/