Facebook-f Instagram Tripadvisor
Book a room
Things to do

Things to do around Kielder Water and Kielder Forest

The Pheasant Inn sits between the water, the forest, the Roman Wall and the darkest skies in England — and almost all of it is within an hour of the front door. Here’s what our guests go out and do, with honest drive times from Stannersburn.
On the doorstep

Kielder Water & Forest Park

Kielder Water & Forest Park starts right on our doorstep — 250 square miles of water, forest and open fell, and one of the most peaceful corners of England. The lake is five minutes down the road, forest trails start almost from the door, and once the sun goes down you’re under some of the darkest skies in the country. Whether you’re after a gentle lakeside stroll, a day in the saddle or a night of stargazing, it’s all close to hand.

Conifer forest meeting the edge of a reservoir, seen from above — Kielder Water and Forest Park
  • 5 minutes by car

Kielder Water

The biggest man-made lake in northern Europe, ringed by the 26-mile traffic-free Lakeside Way — walk it, cycle it, or take the ferry across. Sailing, kayaking and paddleboarding from Kielder Waterside.

Visit website →

The Milky Way over a forest skyline in a dark night sky — Kielder Observatory and Dark Sky Park
  • 20 minutes by car

Kielder Observatory

Some of the darkest skies in England and over 150 events a year, from open nights to meteor showers. Book ahead and wrap up warm.

Visit website →

Mountain biker riding a forest trail — walking and cycling from the door
  • Straight from the door

Mountain biking & family cycling

Graded forest trails for every level. We can arrange cycle hire on your behalf — and we can wash and dry your kit afterwards.

Visit website →

A red kite perched on a mossy branch
  • 15 minutes by car

Birds of Prey Centre

A hands-on experience with some magnificent birds, in the heart of the forest park.

Visit website →

Father and son fishing from a canoe on a forest lake
  • 5 minutes by car

Fishing

Fly fishing on Kielder Water is among the best in England, with brown and rainbow trout from boat or bank, and the coarse fishing nearby is just as good. Ask us about permits and we’ll point you at the right stretch.
Father and son fishing from a canoe on a forest lake
  • 10 minutes by car

Kielder Salmon Centre & sculpture trail

England’s largest salmon hatchery, plus art and architecture dotted round the shoreline.

Visit website →

A little further

Hadrian's Wall & the Tyne Valley

Stone remains of the Roman bathhouse at Vindolanda, Northumberland
  • 45 minutes by car

Vindolanda

The Roman fort and museum where the famous writing tablets were found — live excavations most summers.

Visit website →

A walker on Hadrian's Wall above the Northumberland crags
  • 40 minutes by car

Chesters Roman Fort

The best-preserved Roman cavalry fort in Britain, by the North Tyne at Chollerford.

Visit website →

Roman fort remains at Housesteads on Hadrian's Wall, Northumberland
  • 50 minutes by car

Housesteads

The most complete Roman fort in Britain, on the most dramatic stretch of the Wall.

Visit website →

Hexham Abbey seen across a formal garden on a sunny day
  • 40 minutes by car

Hexham

Market town with a 7th-century abbey, independent shops and a good Tuesday market.

Visit website →

The stone bridge over the River Tyne at Corbridge
  • 45 minutes by car

Corbridge

Roman town, riverside walks and a very good run of cafés and delis.

Visit website →

  • 50 minutes by car

Wallington

National Trust house, gardens and woodland walks — a full day out for families.

Visit website →

Day trips

Castles, coast and the Borders

The gatehouse towers of Alnwick Castle on a sunny day
  • 1 hr 15 minutes by car

Alnwick Castle & Garden

The Duke of Northumberland’s castle (and a certain wizarding school), next to the Alnwick Garden and its treehouse.

Visit website →

Warkworth Castle keep on its grassy mound under a blue sky, Northumberland
  • 1 hr 25 minutes by car

Warkworth Castle

A great cross-shaped keep above the River Coquet, cared for by English Heritage, with a medieval hermitage cut into the riverbank nearby.

Visit website →

Bamburgh Castle above the beach and breaking waves, Northumberland coast
  • 1 hr 45 minutes by car

Bamburgh Castle

One of England’s great coastal castles, high on its rock above miles of sandy beach. Make a day of it on the Northumberland coast.

Visit website →

Aerial view of Cragside house surrounded by woodland, Northumberland
  • 1 hour by car

Cragside

The first house in the world lit by hydroelectricity, with 1,000 acres of gardens and lakes.

Visit website →

The ruins of Jedburgh Abbey above the Jed Water in the Scottish Borders
  • 45 minutes by car

The Scottish Borders

Kielder sits right on the border — Hawick, Jedburgh and the Border abbeys are an easy drive.

Visit website →

The Sage and Tyne Bridge framed by the Millennium Bridge arch at dusk, Newcastle Quayside
  • 1 hr 15 minutes by car

Newcastle upon Tyne

City culture, the Quayside and the Baltic, then back to the quiet for the night.

Visit website →

Stay with us

Make the Pheasant your base for Kielder

Stay a few nights in one of our eight en-suite rooms or in Garden Cottage, and let us point you at the best of it — where the trout are taking, which forest trail suits the children, and what time to leave for the Observatory. We’ve been sending guests out into Northumberland for forty years.
Check availability
See the rooms
  • Kielder Water 5 minutes
  • Dark Sky Park on the doorstep
  • Rooms & self-catering cottage