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    This is Durham Blog

You are here > Home > Things to Do > Hamsterley Forest

Hamsterley Forest

Forestry England
Redford
Hamsterley Forest
County Durham
DL13 3NL

Tel: +44 01388 488312

Email

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Add Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

Hamsterley Forest green man sculpture
  • Hamsterley Forest green man sculpture
  • Aerial view of forest.
  • Hamsterley Forest bridge
  • Signpost for well being trail
  • View of sky from forest floor
  • Family cycling in Hamsterley Forest

About

Hamsterley Forest is a delightful 5,000-acre oasis, sprawling along the sides of a sheltered valley adjacent to the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and home to walking, cycling, running, wellbeing and play trails to suit all ages and abilities enjoy a full day in the forest. 

Regular visitor? Why not sign up for an annual membership for just £49 and enjoy free parking for a full year?

Walking - Follow the forest’s four beautiful trails right into the heart of the forest for some spectacular wildlife watching opportunities, passing through oak woodlands, forest sculptures and near picturesque waterfalls. Early morning walkers may spot roe deer feeding, adders basking on rocks or even salmon leaping upstream on the beck.

A highlight throughout the year is the Riverside Walk, perfect for an hour’s stroll passing meadows vibrant in colour and texture through the Summer, peaceful and quiet in the winter with early morning frost covering the fields.

Mountain biking - Whether you've just bought your first bike, or you're looking for your next adrenaline fix shredding through rock gardens, Hamsterley Forest offers a fantastic opportunity for natural cycling.

Alongside various events (including Hammsers8 and Hammers TT), the forest is also home to Danny Hart’s Descend Bike Park, the only dedicated downhill and 4x park in the North East.

Running - Hamsterley Forest offers opportunity for all runners. Choose from a number of waymarked running routes ranging from 1km to 7km and explore this stunning forest.

The network of marked trails makes running through the forest more accessible, helping you gain the confidence to hit the trails and enjoy all the benefits of being active outdoors.

Lace up your trainers and explore on a solo run or sign up for one of our regular running events with our dedicated fitness coach to larger-scale events including Forest Runner (5km and 10km race), a winter trail race and of course our weekly parkrun.

Wellbeing - Spending time amongst trees and taking time to get back to nature is scientifically proven to boost mental and physical health. Take some time for yourself and explore our wellbeing trail, a mindful walk through the forest that invites you to truly relax.

Panels along the trail prompt you to stop, notice and connect with the wellbeing benefits of the forest environment.  With unrivalled areas to explore the senses it really is a time out from the rest of the forest and our busy lives.

Viking Wildplay trail - Set along a pushchair friendly path straddling both sides of the bubbling Bedburn Beck, our 1km family-friendly trail provides a bucketful of opportunities to play in mature woodland as well as the integrated equipment.

All the ingredients for a day of adventure are here – from forts and boats to mud and water and sticks-a-plenty to build that perfect den.

Gruffalo sculptures - The ever-popular Gruffalo trail is one not to miss – venture into the deep dark wood to discover the Gruffalo, Gruffalo’s child and other characters from the magical world of Julia Donaldson. Can you find all the wooden sculptures during your visit?

 

 

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Weekdays and weekends in off peak times: Up to 1 hour - £2.00, All day - £7
Peak - Bank holiday weekends: Peak - £10.00
Coaches/Minibuses charges: Minibuses - £12.00, Coaches - £18.00
Pay on exit system in place. Number plate cameras will record your entry, just input your car registration at a pay station just before you leave and pay. All our pay stations accept card payment ONLY (except the one next to the Café which takes both cash and cards)

Gradings

  • VAQAS VB Attraction
VAQAS VB Attraction

Awards

  • Visit EnglandVAQAS VAQAS 2019
  • Visit EnglandQuality Assured Visitor Attraction Quality Assured Visitor Attraction 2017
  • Regional and MiscellaneousTripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2016

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4 of 5 stars
415 reviews
    • Excellent
      225
    • Very Good
      121
    • Average
      29
    • Poor
      15
    • Terrible
      25

    Recent Reviews:

    • PTW7
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      Very nice
      4 of 5 stars
      Sunday, 25th September 2022
      Really nice place with great bike and walking trails. Love the little stream too. Could do with a bit of a better picnic or relaxing area. Read full review
    • Jackos17
      Blackpool, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Friends getaway
      Super trails
      5 of 5 stars
      Friday, 28th October 2022
      Great place for a family friendly walk through the woods. Safe for the dog. Cafe was great too, although the queue was huge. Read full review
    • paulrothwell26
      Durham, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Solo travel
      Poor for a dog walk
      2 of 5 stars
      Saturday, 12th November 2022
      If you’re using an app such as AllTrails or just know the forest and are looking to complete a trail with the dog - don’t. The beginning of the trail is about half a mile of playground were a dog... Read full review
    Write a review
    © TripAdvisor 2023

    Facilities

    Accessibility

    • Access Statement - Please see below

    Parking & Transport

    • Parking (charge) - Weekdays and weekends in off peak times: Up to 1 hour £2.00, All day £7.00 Peak - Bank holiday weekends: Peak £10.00 Coaches/Minibuses charges: Minibuses - £12.00, Coaches £18.00 Pay on exit system in place. Number plate cameras will record your entry, just input your car registration at a pay station just before you leave and pay. All our pay stations accept card payment ONLY (except the one next to the Café which takes both cash and cards)

    Provider Facilities

    • Dogs Accepted

    Access Information

    Visit External Site

    Opening Times

    2023 (1 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2023)

    * Forest open all year round (24 hours a day) for access on foot or by bicycle. Main Bedburn car park is open 24 hours a day. Forest Drive and associated car parks are open 9am-4pm (weekends Apr-Oct, 9am-5pm). No overnight parking.

    facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HamsterleyForest

    Map & Directions

    Map Link

    View Map

    Road Directions

    Nearest major road is A68. Follow brown 'Hamsterley Forest' signs from A68 north of Bishop Auckland.

    Public Transport Directions

    Unfortunately, there is no public transport available to the forest

    Highlights...

    Cycling at Hamsterley Forest Hamsterley Forest Orange Walk, Hamsterley ForestA route around the Bedburn valley giving elevated views over the forest and showing varied habitats of mixed woodland.

    Family cyclingCycling at Hamsterley Forest, Hamsterley ForestHamsterley Forest is one of the Northeast’s premier mountain bike destinations, with over 2000 hectares of forest to explore on 33 miles of waymarked trails and countless more miles of seldom travelled forest road Hamsterley Forest has something for cyclists of all-abilities.

    Walking at Hamsterley Forest, Hamsterley ForestWhen you walk around Hamsterley Forest you are walking through a former agricultural and shooting estate. Three walks start from the notice board in the Bedburn car park opposite the cycle hire and two further walks start along the valley from Grove and Blackling Hole car parks.

    Hamsterley Forest green man sculptureHorse Riding at Hamsterley Forest, Hamsterley ForestEnjoy miles of waymarked horse-riding routes that let you explore the heart of this beautiful forest. Please note, dedicated horse box parking is located in the Grove car park, 2 miles along the Forest Drive from the Bedburn entrance.

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