Pictures of Hamsterley Forest

in the town of Bishop Auckland, in the county of County Durham

About Hamsterley Forest

Hampsterley Forest encompasses over five thousand acres, it is a combination of parkland and forest, giving access to some of the most beautiful woodland in the county. It is crossed with streams and has many beauty spots, and is mainly centred around the Ayhope and Bedburn Becks.

The forest has a rich diversity of mature woodland, with Scots Pines that are aged around 70 years, but it does have a variety of younger plantation, plus great trees possibly planted in the 19th century by the Surtees family. An area of wonderful oak trees covers around 25 hectares.

This is a superb place to bring children, it has many natural habitats for woodland creatures such as roe deer, badger and grey squirrel, and is noted for its reptile population and butterfly fauna. There are even places where you can see wood ants building nests from fallen pine needles.

The forest is full of birdsong, it is a great place to be on a summer evening when the air is full of the sound of the nightjar and woodcock. It also provides cover for wintering birds such as crossbills and siskins, these tiny feathered creatures can often be heard scurrying around for food.

At Neighbour Moor there is a viewpoint, from here you can take advantage of sightings of goshawk, sparrowhawk and buzzard, with other birds of prey being seen according to each differing season.

In the Bedburn valley the woodland is home to woodpeckers, treecreeper and numerous other varieties including summer migrants such as the pied flycatcher and wood warbler. So there is plenty here to keep even the most demanding bird-watcher happy!

The forest is also a place for motor rallying, mountain biking and orienteering. It has an outdoor centre with self-catering accommodation and a place for small tents. This offers all kinds of activities and is located in a particularly beautiful part of the forest, looking around you quickly realise just why this lovely place is referred to as the last of England's vast open spaces.

Despite bikers, rallying and other sports now associated with Hamsterley, there remain many lonely, desolate spots to wander where you are unlikely to meet anyone, nor hear any sound other than that of birds and animals. There are many enjoyable places to picnic, and some marvellous vista's through the trees.

For the further enjoyment of visitors there is a shop, tea room, cycle hire and an adventure playground for children.

Being located between Weardale and Teesdale, and lying close to the magnificent march of the Pennines, the whole area opens up endless possibilities for visitors to explore the great outdoors of Durham.

Add attraction to favourites

Submit a history of Hamsterley Forest

Recommended attractions near Hamsterley Forest

	Raby Castle (6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction SE) Arriving close to Staindrop from almost any direction the view of Raby Castle, built by the powerful Nevill family in the..... Information \| Pictures (22) \| Hotels
	Barnard Castle (7.4 miles, 12.0 km, direction S) This historic town is a picturesque centre for discovering the delights of Teesdale. The town occupies a clifftop site above..... Information \| Pictures (12) \| Hotels
	Bowes Museum (7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction S) Josephine Bowes, wife of John Bowes was a Parisian actress, and perhaps this shows in the choice of building they chose as a..... Information \| Pictures (6) \| Hotels
	Egglestone Abbey (8.5 miles, 13.6 km, direction S) .. Information \| Pictures (3) \| Hotels
	High Force (9.9 miles, 16.0 km, direction W) This is the Tees most spectacular offering, it is also England's highest waterfall. The best time to see High Force is just..... Information \| Pictures (30) \| Hotels

All attractions in County Durham
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns & villages near Hamsterley Forest

	Wolsingham (6.1 miles, 9.9 km, direction N) This is a lovely village lying on the edge of the North Pennines in an area of great scenic beauty. It is a wild and beautiful landscape dotted only by scattered farms with meadows full of grazing sheep and cattle... Information \| Pictures (10) \| Hotels
	Barnard Castle (7.3 miles, 11.7 km, direction S) .. Information \| Pictures (24) \| Hotels
	Escomb (9.2 miles, 14.8 km, direction E) Lying in a prominent position ringed by the River Wear, Escomb is best known for its magnificent Saxon Church reputed to be built from stones brought from the near-by ruined Roman Fort at Binchester... Information \| Pictures (5) \| Hotels
	Bishop Auckland (10.5 miles, 16.9 km, direction E) This was the busy social and commercial centre of the south-west Durham coalfield, but the town is actually much older than the Industrial Revolution, although that historic..... Information \| Pictures (105) \| Hotels
	Forest-in-Teesdale (10.6 miles, 17.0 km, direction W) It's landscape, possessed of a wild untamed beauty, highlighted by the meandering River Tees, has a few ancient farmhouses and old stone cottages... Information \| Pictures (22) \| Hotels

All towns in County Durham
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Bishop Auckland Station	(10.3 miles, 16.5 km, direction E)
Shildon Station	(12.3 miles, 19.7 km, direction E)
A1(M) Junction 58	(15.4 miles, 24.7 km, direction SE)
A1(M) Junction 59	(15.8 miles, 25.5 km, direction E)
Teesside International Airport	(22.7 miles, 36.4 km, direction SE)
Newcastle International Airport	(28.4 miles, 45.7 km, direction N)
Hamsterley Forest to London	(229.9 miles, 370.0 km, direction S)

Hotels near Hamsterley Forest

	Manor House Hotel The Green, West Auckland, County Durham, England (9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction E) A quintessential English Manor House, steeped in history awaits you. The ideal venue for relaxing holidays. Relaxed, charming and unpretentious are words that describe The Manor House Hotel and Cou... More info and book online.. Price from £69.00
	The Morritt Arms Hotel Greta Bridge, Barnard Castle, County Durham, England (9.8 miles, 15.8 km, direction S) The Morritt is a traditional hotel with traditional values, located in the picteresque hamlet of Greta Bridge, just off the A66, some 9 miles west of Scotch Corner. Whether for business or pleasure Th... More info and book online.. Price from £85.00
	The Otter Hotel Bildershaw Bank, West Auckland, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, England (10.3 miles, 16.5 km, direction E) Under new ownership from 1st January 2006, the Otter is a popular, friendly, professionally-run hotel. Undergoing refurbishment but almost finished outside will be improved over the next few months ... More info and book online.. Price from £46.00
	Headlam Hall Hotel Headlam, Nr Darlington, County Durham, England (10.5 miles, 16.9 km, direction SE) This is a superb 17th century country house hotel with a luxury spa and golf course, standing in beautiful walled gardens and surrounded by its own farmland estate. This rural retreat blends moder... More info and book online.. Price from £85.00
	Whitworth Hall Country Park Hotel Near Spennymoor, Durham, County Durham, England (12.8 miles, 20.5 km, direction E) Close to Durham City, choose this welcoming hotel for a stay to remember in the heart of a 73 acre deer park. Central in North East and close to the A1, Whitworth Hall is convenient for business and l... More info and book online.. Price from £50.00