Member Article

Celebrating 30 years of Kielder Reservoir

On Wednesday 26 May 1982 her majesty the Queen officially opened Northumbrian Water’s Kielder Reservoir in Northumberland. The project had a big impact on the remote valley and is now one of the county’s top tourism destinations.

Big Kielder facts

*Largest man-made lake in northern Europe

* Largest forest in England

* Darkest night skies in England

* Most tranquil spot in England (campaign to Protect Rural England)

* 50% of England’s red squirrel population

On Saturday 26 May and Sunday 27 May join in with the 30th anniversary celebrations with a weekend of events and activities for the whole family.

Free art and craft workshop

From 11.00am until 3.00pm, Saturday 26 May and Sunday 27 May

Children are invited to contribute to the celebration of Kielder’s special history by taking part in arts and craft activities.

Help decorate a commemorative sail that will be displayed at the Tower Knowe Visitor Centre, share why you love Kielder using different materials on a special collage or make special mini baskets or foam animals to take home.

Location: Tower Knowe Visitor Centre, Falstone, Kielder Water & Forest Park, NE48 1BX. No booking needed.

New exhibition display - what the reservoir means to me

Open daily from 10.00am until 5.00pm.

A new celebratory exhibition at Tower Knowe Visitor Centre showcases deeply personal stories that capture the reservoir’s fascinating history.

Come along and visit the interactive Explore Centre, board the Osprey ferry and have coffee or lunch while enjoying the spectacular views at Café on the water.

Location: Tower Knowe Visitor Centre, Falstone, Kielder Water & Forest Park, NE48 1BX.

Activity taster days

Drop in anytime from 10.00am until 4.00pm to try your hand at the top outdoor activities Calvert Trust Kielder has to offer. No booking is needed.

High ropes - Friday 25 May

Tackle the handing cargo net, sprint along the swinging logs, make it across the balancing beams. Be brave, take the leap of faith. Suitable for ages 5+.Cost: £10 per person (per circuit)

Indoor climbing wall - Saturday 26 May

Challenge yourself on the state of the art indoor climbing wall. Routes for all abilities with a ‘climb the mountain and plant the flag challenge’ for everyone to take part in.

Cost: £10 per person (two turns)

Giant King Swing - Sunday 27 May

Fly through the air on the brilliant 100kph adrenaline fuelled King Swing. For the really brave, go straight to the top and shut your eyes.

Cost: £10 per person (two turns)

Location: Calvert Trust Kielder, Kielder Water & Forest Park, Northumberland, NE48 1BS.

Fishing

Go bank or boat fishing on northern Europe’s largest man-made reservoir and you could be in with a chance of winning a birthday prize.

Thirty very special rainbow trout have been released at various points around Kielder Water. Lucky anglers that catch a fish with an anniversary tag can win a variety of prizes including a free days fishing, fishing lesson, or an annual fishing permit for 2013.

To join in the birthday fishing celebrations, day permit are available to buy from the visitors centres within Kielder; Tower Knowe or Leaplish Waterside Park. Boat fishing is also available, to hire a boat call 01434 251 000.

Cycling and mountain biking

Join in the celebrations by cycling 26 miles around the shoreline of Kielder Water and discover 22 pieces of outdoor art, or test your ability on some of the best singletrack mountain bike trails in the country.

Special family offer- Saturday 26 May and Sunday 27 May

Hire two adult bikes for the full day and get one children’s bike hire for half price or hire three adult bikes for the full day and pay just £5 for one children’s bike hire.

To book this special birthday offer call 01434 250 532. Bikes must be booked in advance.

Location: Purple Mountain Bike Hire Centre, Kielder Village, Northumberland, NE48 1EP. www.purplemountain.co.uk/kielder

If you have not yet discovered what is right on your doorstep, now is the time to go out and explore the beautiful landscape of Kielder Water & Forest Park. Find out more at www.visitkielder.com.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Visit Kielder .