From now until late June, Tarset Bridge, between Lanehead and Stannersburn, will be closed for essential maintenance works.
This affects road traffic, cyclist and walker access to Kielder from the south and east (i.e. from Bellingham, Wark or Redesdale).
ROAD TRAFFIC: The recommended alternative route is:
From the junction of the A696 and A68 north of Otterburn, continue north on the A68 for about 13 miles (21.5km) to just beyond the Scottish Border at Carter Bar, then take the A6088 signed for Bonchester Bridge and Hawick.
After approximately 7 miles (11km), turn left on the B6357 and follow the signs for Kielder Water and Kielder Forest.
Visitors to Kielder are asked to avoid using the Hesleyside road from Bellingham which is narrow two-way rural route. This will be difficult and congested.
Forest Drive
The Kielder Forest Drive from the A68 near Byrness to Kielder, will be open from 1st May for 4x4 vehicles, however this largely single-track stone surfaced route, will be used be used by timber transport lorries until Tarset Bridge re-opens, with a 15-mph speed limit imposed.
CYCLISTS & WALKERS
It is suggested that walkers and cyclists making their way to Kielder should travel via Donkleywood from Lanehead. This is not a suitable route for cars, vans or larger vehicle route to Kielder.
📍 Kielder Water
No crowds, no city lights, just silence and a sunset that doesn’t feel real 🌅
Out here at Kielder Water, you’re surrounded by nothing but nature. Right in the heart of Europe’s largest dark sky zone 🌌✨
#kielder #northumberland #kielderwater #naturephotography
Hidden deep within Kielder Forest, this old railway viaduct now cuts through one of the most peaceful landscapes in Northumberland 🌲
The Kielder Viaduct was originally built in the 1860s for the Border Counties Railway, carrying trains through remote countryside long before the reservoir and vast forest we know today existed.
Now surrounded by water, woodland and walking trails, it’s become one of those places that feels completely removed from the modern world especially from above.
📍 Kielder Viaduct
🌲 Found within England’s largest forest @visitkielder
Save this one for your Northumberland list ✉️
#kielder #kielderforest #northumberland
Alone on nest 7, our osprey was enjoying a beautiful Kielder morning when she was disturbed by a pesky crow. Not fazed, she showed them who’s boss - and who’s got the bigger wings!
It’s calm again, and now she’s looking for her mate and the fish he will provide - did you see yesterday‘s catch?!
She is sitting on three eggs which we hope will be ready to hatch in around two weeks - watch this space… along with reading the blog where you can learn about all the other nests and eggs too.
And if you’re in Kielder, it’s Osprey Watch day today at the cabin at Tower Knowe - come and meet the expert team from @northwildlife@kielderwaterside@visitnorthumberland@calvertkielder@forestryengland
#VisitKielder #Kielder #TeamKielder #Osprey
🌲Have you seen the Watcher of the Woods? 🌲
Located deep in the Kielder Forest you’ll find Silvas Capitalis ~ A giant head, constructed from timber that was conceived as a watcher, an imagined presence who observing the changing landscape over past millennia and seen how the environment has dramatically changed during the last one hundred years.
The artists who designed Silvas Capitalis deliberately made the work from only glued and pegged timber with no metal involved, so that eventually, it could be allowed to decay back into the forest leaving nothing behind. It will now be allowed to decay naturally in place, a process that will probably take at least 50 more years before all signs of it ever being there have finally disappeared.
#kielder #silvascapitalis #kielderforest #northumberland
It’s a gorgeous May Day here! The sun is shining, the lake is blue and the glorious Forest Drive reopens today - come and see us!
For MBT enthusiasts, Saturday 2nd of May sees the long awaited opening of the top section DOUBLE BLACK graded Deadwater Downhill Trail. If you want to come to the opening, please meet at @teamcycles at 12 noon before heading up to the top for the opening at 1pm.
Then on Tuesday May 5th, we are hosting a Mobility Scooter Ramble with Disabled Ramblers. There is still time to join…
And on Saturday May 23rd we’ll be at @northcounty.show where we’d love to see you to celebrate our Kielder Forest Centenary.
Wishing you all a very happy Bank Holiday weekend ☀️
@visitnorthumberland@calvertkielder@kielderwaterside
#VisitKielder #Kielder #TeamKielder #mayday
An amazing afternoon for some fun at Kielder with the best traildogs; Darcy & Poko 🩷💙
Both wearing the @nonstopdogwear protector vest 🧡
#traildog #traildogsofinstagram #mtb #mtbdog #dogsofinstagram
Happy birthday to one of the brightest stars in Kielder ✨
@kielderobservatory turned 18 this weekend!
Huge congratulations and thank you to the incredible team who inspire wonder in everyone who visits.
And to everyone who comes to learn, explore, and stand in awe beneath some of Europe’s darkest skies… thank you for being part of the magic.
@kielderwaterside@calvertkielder@visitnorthumberland
#VisitKielder #Kielder #TeamKielder
Come and camp with us at Kielder…
Kielder is a fabulous place to stay in a tent, a campervan or a caravan. You can have a full day here, then relax into the evening, look up at our dark skies and let the quiet really sink in.
Wake up to the magic of nature… open your door to our fresh air, birdsong, and that peaceful feeling you only get in the remote outdoors.
We have great spaces and facilities at @kielder_campsite - they have pods too! - @clearskycaravanparkkielder and @kielderwatersidepark There are also options to park motorhomes overnight in most of the car parks around Kielder - see our website for further details.
Just a little reminder: wild camping at Kielder isn’t allowed, so please use the designated sites and spaces.
Picture yourself here!
@kielderwaterside@visitnorthumberland@kielderwaterbirdsofprey@northwildlife@kielderbikehire
#VisitKielder #Kielder #TeamKielder #camping #CampLife
Imagine opening your tent to this view 🥹🌙
Kielder is home to the darkest skies in England due to the lowest light pollution in the country. I wish I could have captured the full clear night sky a few hours later but I was fast asleep and missed the a full view of the milky way 😂😴🌌
@visitkielder@nland250@thisisnland
It’s a beautifully atmospheric morning in Kielder and we have an egg!
Last night, KX7 laid her first egg of 2026.
Here’s her male bringing some nesting twigs, before he takes over incubation duties.
See more on the webcam on our website and read the blog for all the most up to date news.
@forestryengland@kielderwaterside@northwildlife@visitnorthumberland@wildintrigue@calvertkielder
#VisitKielder #Kielder #TeamKielder #Osprey
