Kielder Village &
Kielder Water

A Long and Turbulent History
Situated now at the head of the reservoir,
Kielder was once in a wild and uncultivated country
surrounded by moors and bogs. It is now a purpose-built
forestry village cocooned by alpine spruce and pine
trees. Before the turn of the century Kielder Castle,
which stands guard over the village, would have been
hidden and alone at the valley head. It was built in
1775 by the Duke of Northumberland as his hunting lodge.
The village is an oasis for the cyclist with a shop,
pub and post office.
Kielder village is welcoming to visitors
today, but the area has a long and turbulent history.
Lying in a remote area with a sparse population near
to the border with Scotland, the North Tyne suffered
border raids and warfare for many centuries. William
Wallace's army rampaged through here in 1297 and it
is recorded in 1311-1312 that Robert the Bruce 'laid
waste to Keildir'. Of the people living in the district,
the very wealthy built castles; clansmen generally built
pele towers, while
small farms had bastles for defence.
The Lure of Whisky
As time passed to more recent centuries, whisky
distilling and whisky running became a popular vocation.
One of the traveling routes which was a favourite was
named 'Smuggler's Leap'. More respectable employment
came in the eighteenth century with the growth of mining,
particularly Plashetts in the Kielder area. In the nineteenth
century tile works, lead mining and for a time an iron
foundry were in operation at Kielder; these businesses
helped to improve roads within the valley. In 1862 the
LNER railway opened a line into the Kielder area, used
to speed the delivery of coal to the midlands.
Europe's Largest Man-Made Lake
From the 1920s Kielder Forest, extending for
6 miles either side of the Deadwater Burn, was the largest
Forestry Commission scheme in England. More recently
the reservoir was created, the largest man-made lake
in Europe. Kielder's stunning scenery, peace and quiet
make it a magnet for visitors for a number of reasons
including walking, camping and watersports.
For more information about Kielder go to the website
for Kielder
Water and Forest Park.
Places of interest
Mountain Biking
Kielder Forest offers huge potential for mountain bikers
of all abilities. There are a number of waymarked routes
available or, alternatively, just do your own thing.
Cycling routes are available at visitor centres. Check
out the brand new Skills Loop and man-made trails.
Website: www.kielder.org
Kielder Ferry Service
The 80-seater cruiser 'Osprey' takes you round the lake,
with highlights commentary, from Tower Knowe to Leaplish
to Kielder Castle.
Tel : 0870 240 3549
Leaplish Waterside Park
Leaplish provides the hub around which most of Kielder
Water's activity revolves. Includes a wealth of facilities
including a heated swimming pool and sauna, campsite,
accommodation together with a licensed restaurant, sculpture
trail and bird of prey centre.
Tel: 01434 250 312
Kielder Castle Visitor Centre
The 18th century former hunting lodge of the
Duke of Northumberland, this provides the main centre
for information about the forest.
Tel: 01434 250 209
Tower Knowe Visitor Centre
The centre provides access to water sports,
trails, shops and a restaurant. Also available is the
Kielder Water Exhibition - a fascinating display tracing
the history of the Kielder valley from beyond the ice
age to the completion of the dam and the creation of
Europe's largest man-made lake.
Tel: 0870 240 3549 |
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| There
is no Tourist Information Centre
in Kielder, however, information is available
from the website www.kielder.org
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Serviced Accommodation
Twenty Seven Bed & Breakfast
27 Castle Drive, Kielder Village, Northumberland, NE48
1EQ
Tel: 01434 250366/462
Email: twentyseven@staykielder.co.uk
Website: www.staykielder.co.uk
Contact: Mrs Jill Gregg
Camping
Kielder Caravan Club Site
Leaplish, Kielder Water
Tel: 01434 250 278
Leaplish Waterside Campsite
Kielder Water
Tel: 01434 250 312
Forestry Commission Caravan & Campsite
Kielder Village
Tel: 01434 250 291
Bike Shops
The Bike Place
O ne of the Northeast's premier Mountain Bike Superstores
catering for the MTB enthusiast.
Unit 3, Rivermead, Kielder, NE48 1HX
Tel: 01434 250 457
Website: www.thebikeplace.co.uk
Email: hire@thebikeplace.co.uk
Kielder Bikes
Located adjacent to Kielder Castle, the friendly and
ever-helpful Kielder Bikes can provide spares, repairs,
bike hire and a rescue service.
Tel: 01434 250 392
| Always
try to book accommodation as far in advance as
possible. If you have to cancel a booking then
please give the proprietor notice so that the
room can be re-let otherwise you may lose your
deposit.
If your arrival time is going to be delayed then
please let the proprietor know so that the room
can be kept for you. Remember to mention the Reivers
Guide website when booking. |
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