Holiday rentals in Kielder

Located on the fringes of England’s largest forest at the very north of the country near the Scottish border, Kielder’s isolation is a big part of its appeal. In 1982, the North Tyne valley was dammed to create Kielder Water, now Northern Europe’s largest manmade lake. It’s surrounded by a reserve of woodland, grassland, bog, and small rivers, home to rare species like red squirrels and ospreys alongside a wealth of otters, water voles, and other wildlife. Popular with watersports enthusiasts, the lake is girded with a 26-mile trail. In the forest you’ll also find mountain bike paths as well as a unique outdoor art collection. The small village of Kielder, with its pretty stone cottages, sits at its northern edge alongside Kielder Castle, a hunting lodge once owned by the Duke of Northumberland. Another draw to the area is Kielder Observatory, which offers a chance to stargaze in England’s darkest night skies.

From March to May, the air here is crisp and the scenery is spectacular, with trees in bud and flowers in bloom. The ospreys return from their migration in April to make their nests, and you can spot the birds until mid-August. Summer brings warmer temperatures and far less rainfall, perfect for getting out on the lake. September and October are busy sporting months, when the forest is the backdrop to a series of sporting events that include the Kielder marathon and the 200-kilometre off-road cycling challenge known as the Dirty Reiver. The best months for visiting the Observatory are between September and March, when the skies are at their darkest, and you might just spot the Northern Lights.

Bakethin

At the northern end of Kielder Water, this nature reserve is a wonderful place for wildlife watching. Its impressive 165-metre-long weir is surrounded by wetland habitat that attracts many bird species — its viaduct is a good spot for peeping osprey and goshawk. There’s also an accessible hide from which to look out for otters, squirrels, and lizards.

Hindhope Linn

Considered one of Kielder Water’s best-kept secrets, this scenic walking trail from Blakehopeburnhaugh takes you through some of the forest’s oldest trees — including Scots pine and larch — and ending at the river. The reward for your effort is a stop at Hindhope Linn, the area’s most scenic waterfall.

Sidwood

A walk through open fields brings you to this ancient woodland in the middle of Forest Park, with some of the prettiest trees in Kielder. It’s also the place to see the Tarset Bastles, the fortified farmhouses that were constructed in the late 16th and early 17th century to protect against cross-border raids.