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Hamsterley


(Average user rating5 unrated 4.5/5)

About Hamsterley

2000 hectares of mixed woodland lying between the Wear and Tees valleys on the edge of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Hamsterley is a delightful oasis of broadleaved and coniferous woodland, sprawling along the sides of a sheltered valley. Visitors to Hamsterley have no shortage of options when it comes to activities. With waymarked walks, bike hire, cycle routes and horse riding trails, all levels of fitness and ability are catered for. Follow all that exercise with a snack or slice of lovely homemade cake in our tearoom and a browse around the gift shop and visitor centre.There is also a playpark which is now open. Discovery Pass available to buy which gives free parking all year round plus other benefits.

How to get there:

Hamsterley, Witton-Le Wear, Wolsingham, Bishop Auckland, and Durham are the nearest towns or villages.

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.

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).

OS Grid Reference: NZ091312
For details of public transport visit http://www.transportdirect.info

Start your visit from:

Hamsterley Forest Visitor Centre
Hamsterley Forest Christmas Tree Sales Centre

What's on in Hamsterley

April

  • Easter Trail
    Thursday 1 April 2010 to Sunday 18 April 2010
  • Den Building
    Saturday 10 April 2010
    Saturday 10 July 2010
    Wednesday 4 August 2010
    Tuesday 24 August 2010
  • Spring forager
    Sunday 25 April 2010
View all events
Basket Swing, adventure play area

Facilities:

ToiletsInformationParkingEasy AccessVisitor CentreRefreshmentsForest ShopOther FacilitiesParking Charge

Activities:

WalkingCyclingHorse RidingForest DriveEducationalOrienteeringOther ActivitiesArboretumPlay Area

Contact:

Neil Taylor
Ranger
01388 488312
e-mail: neil.taylor@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

User Comments

Name: joe pitt (5 Stars)
30/Jan/2010
been going to the forest for about 3 years now mountain biking and i always look forward to going there probly the best place for mountain biking in the north east :-)
Name: bill (5 Stars)
1/Jan/2010
lovely forest , they do need a camp site there
Name: Katharine (5 Stars)
11/Dec/2009
A beautiful forest, but take care on the walks as there are a lot of mountain-bikers wizzing around!
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What's of interest

Hamsterley Forest Visitor Centre will be closed until 1 April 2010. The forest drive and car parks are open as normal throughout the winter from 8am to 5pm. The exception will be between 24 December and 3 January when the forest drive will be closed. The cost for a toll ticket is £3 or an annual 'Discovery Pass' can be bought which allows free parking for a year.

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