Why visit Kielder Water & Forest Park?
Home to northern Europe’s largest man-made lake and England's largest forest, Kielder Water & Forest Park is one of Northumberland's best attractions. It is perfect for individuals or families that love nature, water sports, exploring, walking, cycling and much more.
Is there a hidden village beneath Kielder Water?
The myths of long-lost villages lying beneath Kielder Water has captivated imaginations for decades. Folklore says that rolling farmland and abandoned stone houses sit at the bottom of the artificial lake in Northumberland. And it is rumoured that when the water level falls, a church spire with a bell can be seen emerging from the lake.
Where is Kielder?
Perched at the tip of Kielder Water & Forest Park, tiny Kielder village is shrouded by its neighbouring forest and sits below the awe-inspiringly starry skies of the International Dark Sky Park. A small selection of homely local pubs and a smattering of intriguing historical sites are its highlights.
Why was Kielder Water built?
There is nothing there.” Kielder Water - the largest man-made lake in northern Europe - was created to meet the growing demand for water to support the booming UK industrial economy. After the scheme was approved by Parliament in 1974, work to build the reservoir and the dam in the Kielder Valley began the following year.
When was Kielder village flooded?
1982Kielder WaterKielder ReservoirBasin countriesEnglandManaging agencyNorthumbrian WaterBuilt1975–1981First flooded198218 more rows
When was Kielder village built?
From a small village to the largest man-made lake in northern Europe. A brief overview of how Kielder and the park became what it is today. The initial plans for Kielder started in the late 60's and were approved by parliament in 1974.
Do people live in Kielder Forest?
The people who live and work in and around Kielder admit that life in the area is truly unique. Few local amenities - a petrol station, post office and a pub - mean residents are required to travel for shopping, work and health care.
Is there a pipeline from Kielder to Yorkshire?
Drinking water was tankered in from Kielder reservoir in Northumberland to West Yorkshire to help. Since then the company said it has fixed most of its leaky pipes, and spent £300m in developing its underground pipe network.
Is Kielder Reservoir man made?
Kielder water is the largest man-made reservoir in Europe, holding 200 billion litres of water. It took about 20 years to think through all of the challenges of this construction project before construction even started, making it one of the most complex schemes in the UK.
Can you swim in Kielder Water?
11 Swimming, bathing and paddling are not permitted at any time in Kielder Water. 12 Recreational diving is not permitted in Kielder Water.
Can you wild camp in Kielder Forest?
Please note - there is no wild camping allowed at Kielder. Just outside the Park - are a range of campsites – use the search function on the left (scroll to bottom of page if using mobile device) to pick the site best for you.
Why was Kielder Forest planted?
Due to the low human population and scarcity of roads and railways, Kielder Forest was proposed in July 2016 as one of the preferred reintroduction sites for the Eurasian lynx, which has been extinct in Britain for 1,300 years.
Is Kielder reservoir full?
Current River Level: -2.905m, rising The typical recent level of the Kielder Reservoir Monitoring Station over the past 12 months has been between -4.49m and 0.00m. It has been between these levels for at least 150 days in the past year.
Which is bigger Rutland water or Kielder Water?
The Rutland Reservoir, located in England, is the biggest reservoir in the country. It has an area of 4.86 square miles and a water volume of 124 million cubic meters. Also in England is the second largest reservoir, the Kielder Water, with an area of 4.25 square miles.
What are the disadvantages of Kielder Water?
Disadvantages. The breeding patterns of fish have been disrupted through the dam blocking the river. Also, fewer pebbles travel downstream, which impacts on habitats. Many families were moved from their homes in order to make way for the dam and reservoir.
What is the building in Kielder Water?
Apart from the dam itself, the Valve Tower is perhaps the most publically visible and somewhat enigmatic aspect of the workings of the Kielder Reservoir. Standing over 50m tall, the tower is the route by which water makes its way from the reservoir back to the north Tyne river below the dam.
When was Kielder Forest planted?
1926The first plantings at Kielder were in 1926 when 800 hectares (3 sq mi) of coniferous trees were planted. A further 19,000 hectares (73 sq mi) were purchased in 1932 and today 62,000 hectares (239 sq mi) of forest are under Forestry Commission control.
Who created Kielder Forest?
Forestry England, funded from the public purse, purchased land across the country with the brief of establishing a strategic reserve of timber for the nation. This single objective held sway until the 1960s.
How many trees are there in Kielder Forest?
Thrillingly remote, yet easily accessible, it sits in Northumberland's western outpost of Kielder Water and Forest Park which spans 250 square miles, and is the largest planted forest in England with 150 million trees.
Can you wild camp at Kielder?
Please note - there is no wild camping allowed at Kielder. Just outside the Park - are a range of campsites – use the search function on the left (scroll to bottom of page if using mobile device) to pick the site best for you.
Why was Kielder Water created?
Kielder Water - the largest man-made lake in northern Europe - was created to meet the growing demand for water to support the booming UK industrial economy. After the scheme was approved by Parliament in 1974, work to build the reservoir and the dam in the Kielder Valley began the following year.
When did the Kielder Water Order start?
Mr Hall said: “The European Economic Community enforced the Kielder Water Order in 1974 and the work started on felling the trees and clearing the land.
Is Kielder Water a tourist attraction?
Today, Kielder Water is one of the county’s top tourism destinations and in 2012 celebrated its 30th anniversary. Speaking at the time, Elisabeth Rowark, of the Kielder Water and Forest Park Development Trust, said: “Kielder is such a special place and a place that many people hold dear to their hearts. “It’s sheer scale, the breathtaking scenery ...
Does Kielder have an Atlantis village?
So is there any truth behind the myths that Kielder Water has its very own Atlantis-like villages? Unfortunately not, according to Northumbrian Water’s guest services manager Jonty Hall.
What is Kielder Water and Forest Park?
A haven for wildlife, Kielder Water & Forest Park is also home to around 50% of England’s native red squirrel population. In 2009 three chicks were born to a record breaking osprey couple - the first birds for at least 200 years to successfully raise chicks in Northumberland.
What is Kielder Waterside?
Kielder Waterside boasts luxury self catering forest lodges, an indoor heated swimming pool and sauna, restaurant and bar and the Kielder Water Birds of Prey Centre.
What is the Kielder Observatory?
Kielder Observatory is an astronomical attraction at Kielder Water & Forest Park run by the Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society. Please visit www.kielderobservatory.org for all event bookings.
Where is the largest man made lake in Europe?
Home to Northern Europe's biggest man made lake, the largest working forest in England and the darkest skies in England, Kielder Water & Forest Park is the ideal destination for group travellers.
Where is the best place to stargaze in the UK?
It's safe to say that Northumberland is the best place to stargaze in the UK. 572 square miles of the county have been awarded Gold Tier status for their dark skies, and our Dark Sky Park is the largest in the UK. So get ready for a star-studded show.
Is Calvert Kielder open to the whole family?
Calvert Kielder offers exciting and exhilarating outdoor adventure activities, fully accessible for the whole family.
What is the purpose of the Kielder reservoir?
The reservoir's main use is to provide compensating discharges into the River North Tyne to support abstractions of water further downstream. It also underpins the £167m Kielder Transfer Scheme, where water can be transferred to the Wear and the Tees rivers, to meet shortfalls in those areas. In recent years, Kielder Water has become increasingly important, with underground springs ensuring that it always remains at high levels, regardless of the prevailing climate condition. This means that while the south of England is often forced to implement drought strategies and hosepipe bans, north-east England enjoys plentiful water supplies.
When was Kielder Water built?
Kielder Water under construction in the 1970s. After the scheme was approved by Parliament in 1974, work to build the reservoir and the dam at the hamlet of Yarrow in the Kielder Valley began in 1975. The reservoir and dam were designed for Northumbrian Water by consulting civil engineers Babtie, Shaw and Morton.
How many gallons of water does Kielder hold?
Kielder Water is owned by Northumbrian Water, and holds 200 billion litres (44 billion gallons, or 0.2 cubic km), making it the largest artificial reservoir in the UK by capacity ( Rutland Water is the largest by surface area). It has a 27.5-mile (44.3 km) shoreline, is 24.6 miles (39.6 km) from the sea. and has a maximum depth of 52 metres (170 ft).
Where did the name Kielder originate?
Originating as a river name, Kielder may have the same origin as the various rivers named Calder, such as the one in West Yorkshire. The name may be derived from the Brittonic caleto-/ā, with the root sense of "hard" ( Welsh caled ), suffixed with -duβr meaning "water" (Welsh dwr ).
What is the largest artificial lake in the United Kingdom?
1. Sections/sub-basins. Bakethin Reservoir. 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. Kielder Water is a large man-made reservoir in Northumberland in North East England. It is the largest artificial lake in the United Kingdom by capacity of water and it is surrounded by Kielder Forest, one of the biggest man-made woodlands in Europe.
What county is Kielder in?
Kielder is in the parliamentary constituency of Hexham. Until 1 April 2009 it was within Tynedale local government district, but following local government restructuring in Northumberland the county is now covered by a unitary authority, Northumberland County Council.
What was the population of Kielder in 2001?
The population of Kielder in 2001 was 207 .
When was Kielder Water created?
With the creation of Kielder Water in 1982 great strides have been taken to develop the area as a tourist destination with the establishment of facilities such as Leaplish Waterside Park by Northumbrian Water, which offers both accommodation and recreational facilities, the Kielder Observatory and various artworks in the landscape, such as the Kielder Skyspace.
When was Kielder Castle built?
Early settlement around Kielder Castle, a hunting lodge built by the Duke of Northumberland in 1775 . Previous settlements were expanded in the 1950s by the Forestry Commission who constructed housing to accommodate the workers employed in the planting of Kielder Forest.
When was the first forest planted in Kielder?
The Forestry Act 1919 established the Forestry Commission with a purpose of forming a strategic reserve of timber for the country. The first plantings at Kielder were in 1926 when 800 hectares (3 sq mi) of coniferous trees were planted. A further 19,000 hectares (73 sq mi) were purchased in 1932 and today 62,000 hectares (239 sq mi) of forest are under Forestry Commission control.
Is the Kielder Forest still standing?
The station building, now a private house, still stands here by the 'Station Garage'. The station was renamed Kielder Forest in 1948. The Kielder Reservoir now floods much of the route eastwards to Falstone, but a very fine castellated viaduct near Kielder Castle still stands. About 1⁄2 mile (805 metres) east from here the line is obliterated as its route is now reservoir and some scouring and embankment removal has removed the traces of its course. Slightly further east its course would be below today's water level.
What village was under Ladybower Reservoir?
The Drowned Villages under Ladybower Reservoir : Ashopton Village. Ashopton also had a Post Office and General Store, a Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, a garage and numerous pretty stone houses and farms. Its industry was largely based on farming and an annual wool fair was held in the village every July.
Where is Ladybower reservoir?
Many visitors to the Peak District will be familiar with the beautiful Ladybower Reservoir, one of three reservoirs in the Upper Derwent Valley close to Bamford Village.
How many litres of water is in Ladybower reservoir?
The three reservoirs cover almost 200 square kilometres between them, and have a staggering combined capacity of 464 billion litres of water. Ladybower Reservoir was built between 1935 ...
What are the villages in Derwent?
The Villages of Derwent and Ashopton. The Drowned Villages under Ladybower Reservoir : Derwent Village. Derwent had twisting streets of pretty cottages, alongside which the River Derwent flowed under stone bridges. It had a small but tight-knit community, with a number of houses and a school. The village church of St John ...
When was Ladybower Reservoir demolished?
For more than a year the spire rose eerily out of the water, until it too was demolished in 1947. The Drowned Villages under Ladybower Reservoir : Derwent Village. Not all buildings in Derwent were lost forever. Indeed, a few houses above the water line still survive to this day, including a number of farms.
Which villages were flooded in the Peak District?
What many visitors may not realise, however, is that two small but thriving Peak District villages were flooded in the process of building Ladybower Reservoir – the villages of Derwent and Ashopton.
Is Derwent still a parish?
There is still a civil parish of Derwent, although at the 2011 census the village population stood at less than 100. The beautiful 17th Century packhorse bridge that once spanned the River Derwent close to Derwent Hall also still stands.
KIELDER WATER 1968 - 1982
Sponsored by Norhumbrian Water, this film by Turners Film & Video records the Kielder reservoir construction project in all its stages, from mapping the area...
KIELDER WATER 1968 - 1982
Sponsored by Norhumbrian Water, this film by Turners Film & Video records the Kielder reservoir construction project in all its stages, from mapping the area...
