Wildlife-watching campsites in Kielder Forest

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With 250 square miles of forest and the largest manmade lake in northern Europe, Kielder Water and Forest Park is a one-stop destination for wildlife watching, woodland walks, and water sports. Explore miles of trails on foot, by bike, or on horseback, including the 27-mile Lakeside Way. Visit attractions such as Kielder Castle and the Birds of Prey Centre, cruise around Kielder Water, or take to the water to canoe, fish, or stand-up paddleboard. Campers can stay by the riverside or in Kielder village, and an overnight stay comes with stargazing opportunities—this is also an International Dark Sky Reserve.

100% (240) 168 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in Kielder Forest

Walkmill Campsite

1. Walkmill Campsite

98%
(122)
Northumberland, England · 10 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Refreshingly understated private camping in the unspoiled Northumberland countryside
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£25
 / night
Ewe Love Camping Pods

2. Ewe Love Camping Pods

98%
(108)
Penrith, England · 3 units
Modern Lake District glamping pods among the trees, with exceptional views of Blencathra
Pets
Showers
Potable water
from 
£90
 / night
Camping at Cardewlees

3. Camping at Cardewlees

99%
(47)
Carlisle, England · 37 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A welcoming, family-run farm campsite between the Lake District and Hadrian's Wall
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from 
£16
 / night
Renison's Farm

4. Renison's Farm

100%
(1)
Penrith, England · 1 unit
Off-grid wagon glamping on a farm with views of Lake District fells
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£90
 / night
Beirhope Alpacas

5. Beirhope Alpacas

98%
(137)
Kelso, Scotland · 8 units
A small, off-grid campsite with alpacas in the historically rich southern Scottish borders
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£20
 / night
Otter Moss Accommodation

6. Otter Moss Accommodation

100%
(8)
Brampton, England · 4 units
Otter Moss Accommodation offers a variety of upscale camping options suitable for couples, families, and groups. Nestled within a picturesque 12-acre former farm, the majority of the site surrounds a spacious meadow. Additionally, the site boasts a charming small lake featuring three islands and a rowing boat for leisurely water activities. Situated at the northern edge of the stunning Eden Valley, guests can enjoy sweeping views of the Cumbrian Fells, with visibility extending to the Solway Firth and the Lake District on clear days. The Lake District is a convenient 40-minute drive away, while various sections of Hadrian's Wall are even closer, reachable within a 15-minute drive. Carlisle and the M6 motorway to Scotland are both just 20 minutes away, with the picturesque market town of Brampton also within a 15-minute drive and offering its own attractions. Local pubs are plentiful in the area, with a diverse selection available within a five-mile radius. Accommodation units at Otter Moss come equipped with heating, kitchen utensils, and stoves, ensuring guests' comfort and convenience. Each unit also includes firepits or barbecues, as well as bedding and towels for a hassle-free stay.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£85
 / night
Garrison Shepherd's Huts

7. Garrison Shepherd's Huts

100%
(2)
Bowness On Solway, England · 4 units
Shepherd’s hut glamping near Hadrian’s Wall and the Solway Firth.
Pets
Showers
Hot Tub
from 
£100
 / night
Bamburgh Under Canvas

8. Bamburgh Under Canvas

90%
(5)
Bamburgh, England · 5 units
Luxury Lotus Belle tent glamping with sweeping views, within walking distance of Bamburgh town and castle (and beach)
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£131
 / night
Esk Yurt

9. Esk Yurt

100%
(5)
Peebles, Scotland · 1 unit
Adult only yurt glamping in the Scottish Borders with exceptional views, hiking trails, and wild swimming
Showers
Potable water
from 
£130
 / night
Laverock Law Cottages and Glamping

10. Laverock Law Cottages and Glamping

100%
(1)
Bamburgh, England · 1 unit
We are perfectly situated to explore both the Northumbrian Coastal area, including Holy Island , Bamburgh etc but also great for those who wish to discover the amazing Cheviot hills. Our site is managed organically and has won awards for sustainable tourism, itself a true escape and nature paradise.
Showers
Campfires
Potable water
from 
£135
 / night
Broom Fisheries Campsite

11. Broom Fisheries Campsite

Newbie, Scotland · 4 units
Luxury caravans ideally situated next to picturesque Scottish fishing lakes
Pets
Showers
Hot Tub
from 
£167
 / night
Old Rectory Howick

12. Old Rectory Howick

Alnwick, England · 2 units
The Old Rectory is surrounded by farmland near to Howick Village. Close to the Northumberland Coast we are within walking distance of the Howick Hall Gardens and the seaside Village of Craster. Our Bell Tent and Shepherd's Hut allow you to get close to local wildlife including Hares and Rabbits. Roe deer, hedgehogs, pheasants and songbirds.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£95
 / night

With 250 square miles of forest and the largest manmade lake in northern Europe, Kielder Water and Forest Park is a one-stop destination for wildlife watching, woodland walks, and water sports. Explore miles of trails on foot, by bike, or on horseback, including the 27-mile Lakeside Way. Visit attractions such as Kielder Castle and the Birds of Prey Centre, cruise around Kielder Water, or take to the water to canoe, fish, or stand-up paddleboard. Campers can stay by the riverside or in Kielder village, and an overnight stay comes with stargazing opportunities—this is also an International Dark Sky Reserve.

100% (240) 168 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in Kielder Forest

Walkmill Campsite

1. Walkmill Campsite

98%
(122)
Northumberland, England · 10 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Refreshingly understated private camping in the unspoiled Northumberland countryside
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£25
 / night
Ewe Love Camping Pods

2. Ewe Love Camping Pods

98%
(108)
Penrith, England · 3 units
Modern Lake District glamping pods among the trees, with exceptional views of Blencathra
Pets
Showers
Potable water
from 
£90
 / night
Camping at Cardewlees

3. Camping at Cardewlees

99%
(47)
Carlisle, England · 37 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A welcoming, family-run farm campsite between the Lake District and Hadrian's Wall
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from 
£16
 / night
Renison's Farm

4. Renison's Farm

100%
(1)
Penrith, England · 1 unit
Off-grid wagon glamping on a farm with views of Lake District fells
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£90
 / night
Beirhope Alpacas

5. Beirhope Alpacas

98%
(137)
Kelso, Scotland · 8 units
A small, off-grid campsite with alpacas in the historically rich southern Scottish borders
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£20
 / night
Otter Moss Accommodation

6. Otter Moss Accommodation

100%
(8)
Brampton, England · 4 units
Otter Moss Accommodation offers a variety of upscale camping options suitable for couples, families, and groups. Nestled within a picturesque 12-acre former farm, the majority of the site surrounds a spacious meadow. Additionally, the site boasts a charming small lake featuring three islands and a rowing boat for leisurely water activities. Situated at the northern edge of the stunning Eden Valley, guests can enjoy sweeping views of the Cumbrian Fells, with visibility extending to the Solway Firth and the Lake District on clear days. The Lake District is a convenient 40-minute drive away, while various sections of Hadrian's Wall are even closer, reachable within a 15-minute drive. Carlisle and the M6 motorway to Scotland are both just 20 minutes away, with the picturesque market town of Brampton also within a 15-minute drive and offering its own attractions. Local pubs are plentiful in the area, with a diverse selection available within a five-mile radius. Accommodation units at Otter Moss come equipped with heating, kitchen utensils, and stoves, ensuring guests' comfort and convenience. Each unit also includes firepits or barbecues, as well as bedding and towels for a hassle-free stay.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£85
 / night
Garrison Shepherd's Huts

7. Garrison Shepherd's Huts

100%
(2)
Bowness On Solway, England · 4 units
Shepherd’s hut glamping near Hadrian’s Wall and the Solway Firth.
Pets
Showers
Hot Tub
from 
£100
 / night
Bamburgh Under Canvas

8. Bamburgh Under Canvas

90%
(5)
Bamburgh, England · 5 units
Luxury Lotus Belle tent glamping with sweeping views, within walking distance of Bamburgh town and castle (and beach)
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£131
 / night
Esk Yurt

9. Esk Yurt

100%
(5)
Peebles, Scotland · 1 unit
Adult only yurt glamping in the Scottish Borders with exceptional views, hiking trails, and wild swimming
Showers
Potable water
from 
£130
 / night
Laverock Law Cottages and Glamping

10. Laverock Law Cottages and Glamping

100%
(1)
Bamburgh, England · 1 unit
We are perfectly situated to explore both the Northumbrian Coastal area, including Holy Island , Bamburgh etc but also great for those who wish to discover the amazing Cheviot hills. Our site is managed organically and has won awards for sustainable tourism, itself a true escape and nature paradise.
Showers
Campfires
Potable water
from 
£135
 / night
Broom Fisheries Campsite

11. Broom Fisheries Campsite

Newbie, Scotland · 4 units
Luxury caravans ideally situated next to picturesque Scottish fishing lakes
Pets
Showers
Hot Tub
from 
£167
 / night
Old Rectory Howick

12. Old Rectory Howick

Alnwick, England · 2 units
The Old Rectory is surrounded by farmland near to Howick Village. Close to the Northumberland Coast we are within walking distance of the Howick Hall Gardens and the seaside Village of Craster. Our Bell Tent and Shepherd's Hut allow you to get close to local wildlife including Hares and Rabbits. Roe deer, hedgehogs, pheasants and songbirds.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£95
 / night

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

Kielder Forest camping guide

When to go

Outdoor activities are fun year-round at Kielder Water, but campsites within the forest park are open from March through October only. Come in the spring and summer months for lake cruises and water sports, in autumn to admire the fall foliage, or during the festive season to visit the Kielder Winter Wonderland. Popular events throughout the year include the Kielder Marathon (October), a 24-hour mountain bike race (February), and a Night Run (March).

Know before you go

  • Kielder Water and Forest Park is in Northumberland, 30 miles northwest of Hexham. There is no public transport to the park. Parking is available at Hawkhope, Kielder Dam South Abutment, Tower Knowe, Kielder Waterside, Matthew’s Linn, Bakethin Nature Reserve, Kielder Castle, Skyspace lower car park, and Elf Kirk. A single parking ticket is valid all day at any of the car parks.
  • Facilities within the park include a gas station (card payment only) at Kielder village, two cafés, a restaurant, and restrooms. Download the free Kielder visitor map to your phone to help navigate. 
  • There are overnight parking spots for self-sufficient campers at Kielder Castle car park, Anglers Arms rear car park in Kielder village, Elf Kirk View Point, and Tower Knowe car park. Fees apply.
  • Midges are common in the park from March through September, so bring insect repellent. The weather can change quickly in northern England, so it’s a good idea to pack a raincoat even in summer. 
  • There are wheelchair-accessible facilities at Kielder Water and some accessible trails.
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Top towns in and near Kielder Forest