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Hamsterley

(Average user rating 5 unrated

4.2/5)

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. A Discovery Pass is available to buy which gives free parking all year round plus other benefits.

Wood n Wheels bike hire is open Friday-Sunday inclusive.

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

February

Monthly Club Ride
Sunday 12 February 2012
Sunday 11 March 2012
Sunday 8 April 2012
Sunday 10 June 2012
Sunday 8 July 2012
Sunday 12 August 2012
Sunday 14 October 2012
Sunday 11 November 2012
Sunday 9 December 2012
Sunday 13 May 2012
Trailbuilding Session
Saturday 18 February 2012
Saturday 17 March 2012
Saturday 14 April 2012
Saturday 19 May 2012
Saturday 16 June 2012
Saturday 14 July 2012
Saturday 18 August 2012
Saturday 15 September 2012
Saturday 20 October 2012
Saturday 17 November 2012
Saturday 15 December 2012

March

Monthly Club Ride
Sunday 12 February 2012
Sunday 11 March 2012
Sunday 8 April 2012
Sunday 10 June 2012
Sunday 8 July 2012
Sunday 12 August 2012
Sunday 14 October 2012
Sunday 11 November 2012
Sunday 9 December 2012
Sunday 13 May 2012
Trailbuilding Session
Saturday 18 February 2012
Saturday 17 March 2012
Saturday 14 April 2012
Saturday 19 May 2012
Saturday 16 June 2012
Saturday 14 July 2012
Saturday 18 August 2012
Saturday 15 September 2012
Saturday 20 October 2012
Saturday 17 November 2012
Saturday 15 December 2012

April

Monthly Club Ride
Sunday 12 February 2012
Sunday 11 March 2012
Sunday 8 April 2012
Sunday 10 June 2012
Sunday 8 July 2012
Sunday 12 August 2012
Sunday 14 October 2012
Sunday 11 November 2012
Sunday 9 December 2012
Sunday 13 May 2012
Trailbuilding Session
Saturday 18 February 2012
Saturday 17 March 2012
Saturday 14 April 2012
Saturday 19 May 2012
Saturday 16 June 2012
Saturday 14 July 2012
Saturday 18 August 2012
Saturday 15 September 2012
Saturday 20 October 2012
Saturday 17 November 2012
Saturday 15 December 2012
Easter Trail
Sunday 1 April 2012 to Sunday 15 April 2012
Deer Watch
Saturday 14 April 2012

View all events

User Comments

5 Stars
Cant say enough good things about hamsterley forest. My kids love the place the little one loves the river my oldest is starting on the bike trails and i love the diffrent routes think the place is well looked after and small giftshop and cafe is fantastic i have recommend hamsterley to friends and family and evry one that has been only has good things to say about it. Keep up the good work and we will be back soon. Thanks for a fantastic time everytime we have been

Glen H, 6/Sep/2011

5 Stars
I love the forest, i regularly visit the forest and stay in at Hamsterley forest B&B. However one thing i would like to see is a greater initative towards the creating of more natural woodland, i noticed the last time i was in the area that a fairly large area of conifer plantation had been clear felled, i would love to see this area set aside for the regeneration of more natural native woodland. My favourite areas of the forest are the quiet parts of broadleaved and native woodland, these areas are the main reason i visit, and i would love to see these natural areas increase.

Beithe, 5/Sep/2011

As a regular user of Hamsterly forest i often pay the ■3 charge even though I may only be there for an hour. I went today and found that I was expected to pay ■5 just because it was a bank holiday. I would love an explanation of this unacceplable price hike. On principle I parked outside the forest and walked in. Many others had the same idea as all outside parking spots were full to the brim. Why rip off your regular users just because it is a bank holiday?????????

Anonymous, 27/Aug/2011

More user comments

Please tell us about your visit

Please email us at neil.taylor@forestry.gsi.gov.uk if you have an enquiry or would like a reply to your comments.

Facilities and Activities

Hamsterley Forest Drive

Contact:

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

Hamsterley visitor centre is closed until 1 April 2012. Hamsterley Tea Room is open at weekends Jan-March. The forest drive and car parks are open as normal.Parking and Forest Drive access is £3 per car (£5 on Bank Holiday weekends) or an annual 'Discovery Pass' can be bought which allows free parking for a year.