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Hamsterley


(Average user rating: 5 Stars 4.8/5)

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, 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.

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

What's on in Hamsterley

July
August

View all events

Basket Swing, adventure play area

Facilities:

ToiletsInformationParkingEasy AccessVisitor CentreRefreshmentsForest ShopOther Facilities

Activities:

WalkingCyclingHorse RidingForest DriveEducationalOrienteeringOther ActivitiesArboretumPlay Area

Contact:

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

User Comments

Name: Anonymous (5 Stars)
1/Jul/2009
gr8
Name: luke (5 Stars)
24/Jun/2009
brilliant + ace!!!!!!
wanna' go there again
Name: Mountain Biker (4 Stars)
18/Jun/2009
Worth checking out. Visit Hamsterley Trailblazers for information about club rides where you will learn more trails to ride in the forest - there is so much more than the waymarked ones you won't be disappointed!
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What's of interest

Hamsterley Forest Visitor Centre is now open, weekdays 10am-4pm, weekends and bank holidays, 11am-5pm. The forest drive and car parks are open until 5pm and the cost for a toll ticket is £3. From the 1st May the forest drive and car park will be open until 8pm. Season tickets are available.

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