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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 to 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 2021
  • 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
421 reviews
  • Travelers Choice 2022
  • Excellent
    226
  • Very Good
    123
  • Average
    29
  • Poor
    17
  • Terrible
    26

Recent Reviews:

  • E5657KSlauras
    Trip Type:
    Family
    Spurlwood walk waterfall not great
    2 of 5 stars
    Thursday, 1st June 2023
    I wouldn't recommend the Spurlswood walk for seeing the waterfall as this was highly disappointing. The waterfall is not worth that walk and also not signposted. We actually missed it and had to... Read full review
  • S5745EYjulier
    Northumberland, United Kingdom
    Trip Type:
    Couples
    K LINE IS AWESOME
    5 of 5 stars
    Sunday, 4th June 2023
    My other half said do you fancy going for a forest cycle ride . Little did I know he had the K line, Transmission and Accelerator routes in mind . Considering I haven’t been on a bike for 12 years... Read full review
  • Fairynuff1
    Lovely forest spoilt by Middle aged men in Lycra
    2 of 5 stars
    Tuesday, 6th June 2023
    Lovely forest. Many complain about parking charges I have no issue as it's maintaining this woodland. However something needs to be done about the mountain bikers that won't slow down. Yes they want... 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

TWITTER UPDATES

Forestry England

ForestryEngland

Forestry England

Who's heading to a #ForestLive23 show this weekend? 🕺 We can't wait to see @paulwellerHQ, @Tom_Grennan and… https://t.co/TOXEVJWGjx
9 Jun 2023   14:24:21
RT @fcforestlive: If you are coming to a Forest Live concert, please leave the following at home... You are not permitted to bring:… https://t.co/VJH0DKTNn5
9 Jun 2023   08:24:37

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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