Geocaching is an increasingly popular sport and one that the Forestry Commission in NorthEast England is keen to support. Please read on to find out how you can enjoy this sport safely and in a way that protects the environment and the enjoyment of others.
Geocache Placers
If you want to place a cache on Forestry Commission land in Kielder we need to agree with you the location of the cache to ensure it does not conflict with other recreational activities, forest operations, sensitive wildlife or habitats and is safe for cache finders to look for.
To do this we ask that you agree to the Forestry Commission byelaws (available on request) and GAGB Geocachers Code of Conduct. Please contact Margaret Hardon as appropriate with the details listed below.
1. Your name, postal, email and phone contacts
2. The grid reference of where you would like to place your geocache and the dates your geocache will be 'live'
3. A description of the location, eg "under large rock beside Rowan Tree"
On receipt of your email we will check you proposals with operational, ecological and wildlife members of staff for approval. This consultation process will take 5 weeks to complete. On approval, your sites will remain 'live' for 12 months. At the end of this period you must either remove the geocache or make a further request to extend the duration that the site remains live by another year.
Please note that the Forestry Commission takes no responsibility for the security of your geocache and reserves the right to remove the geocache at any time.
Geocache Finders
If you simply enjoy the fun and challenge of looking and finding caches you are welcome to access our land on foot without seeking specific permission from us. Please abide by the Forestry Commission byelaws and GAGB Geocachers Code of Conduct. In addition please abide by all temporary signing where forest operations such as timber harvesting or other activities such as motor sports are taking place.
Geocaching Events
If you are planning to run a geocaching event on FC land you will need to apply for a permit as described on our main permissions page.
