20 Attractions to Explore Near Hamsterley Forest
Top Trips and Tours in Durham
Tours and activities in Durham that might be of interest to you
All attractions near Hamsterley Forest
Hamsterley Forest - Forestry England
5.11km from Hamsterley Forest
One of the picturesque locations where you can spend some nice time from wildlife watching to stargazing, and adventure play for all the family to exhilarating mountain biking, there is something to keep everyone busy. 2000 hectares of mixed scenic woodland lying between the Wear and Tees valleys on the edge of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Harehope Quarry Project
7.22km from Hamsterley Forest
The Harehope Quarry Project is based in a former limestone quarry near the village of Frosterley in County Durham. The project aims to demonstrate a more sustainable way of living through its education and events programme and through the development and management of this Local Wildlife Site.
Stanhope Castle
10.99km from Hamsterley Forest
A beautiful and majestic castle, which was set in the bustling market town of Stanhope, surrounded by the beautiful countryside fields and hills of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It comprises of a beautiful lawn to the front of the house, and side elevation and beautiful woodland pathways lead to the river.
The Durham Dales Centre
11.07km from Hamsterley Forest
One of the unique venues with a range of attractions such as a tearoom offering homemade hot and cold meals, specialty coffees and teas, gift shops and speciality craft shops, gardens, visitor information, function room, and business offices. The grounds of the Centre boasts a wonderful site, also home to a wonderful sculpture, covered in lots of fossils, known as Frosterley Marble.
Weardale
11.12km from Hamsterley Forest
Weardale, one of the Durham Dales, was once the hunting ground of County Durham’s Prince Bishops. This spectacular dale has beautiful historic settlements, great attractions and exhilarating landscapes to discover. Explore this stunning area either by car, on foot, on horseback or by bicycle or motorbike – there’s actually more miles of foot and cycle paths in the county than roads, so visitors feel far away from their busy lives.
Raby Castle
11.28km from Hamsterley Forest
Raby Castle isis a medieval castle located near Staindrop in County Durham, England, built by John Neville, 3rd Baron Neville de Raby, between approximately 1367 and 1390. It was surrounded by 200 acres of lush green parkland, where herds of red and fallow deer live wild. Explore the park and amble around the ponds to spot plenty of wildlife that inhabit this remarkable setting.
Tunstall Reservoir
12.07km from Hamsterley Forest
Tunstall Reservoir was a water supply storage reservoir completed in 1879 and now used solely to maintain minimum regulatory flows on the River Wear in northeast England set in beautiful countryside. There is a fishing lodge at the far end with picnic tables, resident ducks, and a portaloo.
Barnard Castle
12.61km from Hamsterley Forest
A majestic and beautiful castle which was set on a high rock above the River Tees. It sits on the fringe of an attractive working market town also known as ‘Barney’ so there is plenty to do for families on a day out. The castle, an English Heritage property, was named after its 12th Century founder, Bernard de Balliol, and was later developed by Richard III whose boar emblem is carved above a window in the inner ward.
Baldersdale
12.64km from Hamsterley Forest
Baldersdale is a dale, or valley, on the east side of the Pennines in England, northwest of Barnard Castle. Its principal settlements are Hury and Briscoe. Baldersdale lies within the traditional boundaries of the North Riding of Yorkshire. The river flows through three reservoirs on the way: Balderhead Reservoir, Blackton Reservoir, and Hury Reservoir. Running roughly parallel to Baldersdale to the north is Lunedale.
Grassholme Reservoir
12.68km from Hamsterley Forest
Grassholme Reservoir is a large reservoir in County Durham, England. Try the beautiful reservoir walk that showcases the views across the water and surrounding landscapes, giving you the perfect atmosphere to reconnect with your loved ones or yourself. It offers a great variety of fishing. Grassholme also enjoys the luxury of its own local fish farm with some of the stocked fish tagged with cash prizes available. You can ‘loose feed’ and ground bait around the reservoir.
Hury Reservoir
13km from Hamsterley Forest
A beautiful reservoir located in the Balder Valley near Romaldkirk and Cotherstone and is a must for traditional fly fishing enthusiasts. The fishery enjoys lots of open space and is well stocked with rainbow trout. It is the ideal venue for anglers who like to match the hatch and cast wets, nymphs and dry flies as well as lures.
The Bowes Museum
13.13km from Hamsterley Forest
The Bowes Museum is a hidden treasure, a jewel in the heart of beautiful Teesdale. Housing internationally significant collections of fine and decorative arts. Picnic Area & Playground. The magnificent building stands proud in the historic market town of Barnard Castle housing internationally significant collections of fine and decorative arts. Purpose built in the 19th century by John and Joséphine Bowes, the Museum has a wonderful story to tell.
Teesdale
13.23km from Hamsterley Forest
Teesdale is mostly an upland area within the northern Pennines. Its bleak basalt and limestone moorlands gradually descend eastward from an elevation of about 2,500 to 600 feet (760 to 185 metres) and border the Tees valley on both north and south. One of the nice trekking destination and also you can spend some nice time in the middle of nature.
Summerhill Force & Gibson's Cave
13.51km from Hamsterley Forest
Summerhill Force is a picturesque waterfall in a wooded glade near Bowness in Upper Teesdale. Heavily undercut, the recess behind the fall is known as "Gibson's Cave". The waterfall is called Summerhill Force, but because of the recess behind the waterfall it is more affectionately known as Gibson’s Cave.
Bowlees Visitor Centre
13.77km from Hamsterley Forest
Bowlees Visitor Centre has all you need to make your visit to the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty a memorable one. The information point stocks a range of walks leaflets, maps and books about the North Pennines and also has a café and gift shop. The centre is run by the North Pennines AONB Partnership and includes events, exhibitions, galleries, Gibson's Cave, and waterfalls.
Winch Bridge
14.08km from Hamsterley Forest
An iron suspension footbridge with planked walkway, over the River Tees, by the Low Force waterfalls, near Holwick and Newbiggin. The bridge was built c.1820 for the Duke of Cleveland and is Grade II* listed. It was the first chain bridge in the western world after the Tibetan and Chinese onesChain bridges had not found imitators in the West for a long time.
Low Force Waterfall
14.15km from Hamsterley Forest
One of the most beautiful waterfalls in the north of England, Low Force is a series of low cascades on the River Tees, about three miles upstream of Middleton-in-Teesdale. Low Force is also the site of the Wynch Bridge, completed in 1830. It is suggested that only one person at a time should cross the bridge as it may be unstable.
Egglestone Abbey
14.26km from Hamsterley Forest
A rare example of an abbey that was temporarily converted to a manorial seat and later stripped for building materials when the aristocrats who owned it decided to build a much larger mansion nearby. The site buildings are protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and they are maintained by English Heritage.
Escomb Saxon Church
14.45km from Hamsterley Forest
Escomb Saxon Church is one of the oldest Anglo-Saxon churches in England and one of only three complete Anglo-Saxon churches remaining in England. The church was built around 675 AD with stone probably from the Roman Fort at Binchester. Escomb church is on the national register of the Small Pilgrim Places Network. These places are small, spiritual oases, offering an atmosphere that encourages stillness, prayer and reflection for people of all faiths or none.
Waskerley Reservoir
14.98km from Hamsterley Forest
Waskerley Reservoir belongs to a group of three reservoirs, the others being Smiddy Shaw and Hideshope Reservoir. A popular outdoor activity is fly fishing – you can buy up to five-day tickets. Besides fishing, walking and cycling are favorite activities due to the beautiful scenery. Waskerley can be replenished by a gravity feed from Burnhope Reservoir or, if necessary, by pumping water from the Tyne-Tees Tunnel via an airshaft.
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Hamsterley Forest
Hamsterley Forest, Bishop Auckland DL13, UK
Hamsterley Forest is a commercial forest in County Durham operated by the Forestry Commission. It is the largest forest in County Durham and covers more than 2,000 hectares. It is a fantastic day out for the whole family. From wildlife watching to stargazing, and adventure play for all the family to exhilarating mountain biking, there is something to keep everyone busy.