Hamsterley Forest - Planning your visit

 

How much does it cost?

A £3 toll is charged for each car visiting the forest to access the Forest Drive and car parks. Season tickets are available from the Visitor Centre.

When is it open?

The Forest is open from 8am to sunset (8pm latest in summer). Outside this time, barriers restrict access to the drive and some car parks. However, the Forestry Commission reserves the right to close certain barriers outwith these times due to operational reasons. Non-vehicular access is permitted 24 hours a day.

Shop and Visitor Centre opening times

What facilities are there?

Facilities on offer include a visitor centre, tearoom, cycle hire, picnic sites, adventure playground, forest drive and walking and horse riding routes. The forest is also a magnet for mountain bikers from all over the North of England, attracted by a wide range of cycling experiences, from the training loop and top quality off-road cycle trails, to the high octane four-cross and downhill mountain bike courses provided by Descend Hamsterley.

How to get there?

Hamsterley Forest sits wedged between Teesdale and Weardale in the heart of beautiful Durham Dales, approximately 10 miles (16 km) west of Bishop Auckland.

By Public Transport: The forest is not served directly by public transport services. The nearest village on a bus route is Hamsterley, two miles to the south of the forest entrance. The walk from the forest to Hamsterley village is on a public road with no designated pedestrian walkway. From the village, you can travel on service number 88 (Arriva) to Bishop Auckland bus station, a journey that takes roughly 20 minutes. Bishop Auckland has a railway station that connects with the East Coast mainline at Darlington.

For full timetable information call the ‘Traveline’ on 0870 6082608 or visit www.travelinenortheast.info for the online journey planner.

By car: The forest is signposted off the A68, north of West Auckland. Cars are charged £3 each on the Forest Drive to access the Forest and it’s facilities (there is no charge for visitors on foot).

Multimap directions for Hamsterley Forest

Where to Stay?

With Durham Dales and North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the doorstep, you won’t be stuck for a wide range of good quality accommodation in the area; from camping and caravan sites to bed and breakfast and full board hotels.

The ‘Visit Northumbria’ website has a list of accommodation in the area and runs an online booking service at www.visitnorthumbria.com or call their visitor helpline on 08701 601781. 

Nearest Tourist Information Centres:
Barnard Castle 01833 690909
Bishop Auckland 01388 604922
Durham  0191 384 3720

Where to Eat?

The forest has it’s very own refuelling point – the famous Hamsterley Tearoom! Open from 10am to 4pm daily throughout the season, the Tearoom serves soup, hot and cold sandwiches, and a range of drinks and home-baked cakes. Groups can be catered for outside these times by arrangement (01388) 488822.

Outside of the forest, there are a number of places locally to eat in Woolsingham, Witton-le-Wear and Hamsterley. The Visit Northumbria website lists a selection of eating establishments in the area.