Holiday rentals in Kielder Water

In western Northumberland, cocooned by the lush Kielder Forest, you’ll find Kielder Water, a large reservoir and haven for water-sports enthusiasts, especially waterskiers, canoers, and sailors. Kielder Water is also a respected fishing destination, and anglers will be pleased with the many spots to reel in trout, salmon, and Arctic char (don’t forget your fishing permit). Visitor centres at Tower Knowe, Kielder Waterside, and Kielder Castle provide information about the area. Walking and bicycling paths meander around Kielder, with the stunning combination of glistening water and dense forest creating its quiet beauty.

Tucked in the Kielder Water and Forest Park is the sleekly designed Kielder Observatory, which provides a spectacular viewing experience of the night skies.

Throughout the years, the landscape around Kielder Water has become home to an eccentric open-air collection of contemporary visual art and architecture.

The best time to visit Kielder Water is between late spring and summer, when you’ll see the warmest temperatures and longest days. You can expect rain all year round, but you’ll see the fewest rainy days during this time, providing the best conditions for kayaking or paddle boarding on the water, and for hiking and biking through the area’s extensive trail network.

The autumn and winter months provide optimal conditions for viewing Northumberland’s dark skies at the Kielder Observatory, though temperatures drop to chilly levels; check the weather forecast for cloudy conditions and high rainfall before you head out to stargaze. Daytime temperatures generally stay above freezing during winter, but snow is possible, so pack a hat and gloves and warm footwear. In December, Kielder Forest hosts its Kielder Winter Wonderland event, which features a theatre show, snow tubing, food, and all-ages activities.

Kielder Water and Forest Park

Kielder Water and Forest Park are threaded with forest walks and mountain bike tracks as well as numerous trails. The Lakeside Way is a 42-kilometre, multi-use trail around Kielder Water for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders. The park is teeming with wildlife, including one of England’s largest red squirrel populations. You might also spot water voles, pipistrelle bats, otters, and roe deer.

Kielder Castle

Near Kielder Village and the Bakethin Nature Reserve is the gothic-style Kielder Castle. Built as an 18th-century hunting lodge for the duke of Northumberland, the castle and its surrounding area are now a cycling hub and include a range of trails that cater to all skill levels. You can also roam the intricate pathways of the striking Minotaur Maze, whose walls are made of glass and basalt.

Kielder Belvedere

This striking, award-winning stainless steel structure on the Lakeside Way is a futuristic shelter and rest point for hikers and cyclists. The triangular building’s reflective exterior mirrors the natural surroundings, weather conditions, and changing of the seasons.