Hamsterley Forest

Hamsterley Forest is one of the Forestry Commission’s most attractive Forest Parks. This huge area encompassing over 5,500 acres of mature woodland is managed for timber production, and has 1,100 acres available for recreation. A wide range of activities are on offer for visitors including informal or guided walks, orienteering, horse-riding and cycling (bikes can be hired). There is a visitors centre with displays on forestry, wildlife and timber usage, and large, grassy areas make splendid picnic spots.

Surprisingly enough, the Forest is largely artificial and relatively recent in origin, having been planted only 40 to 50 years ago.  Much of it covers areas once worked by the lead-mining industry. This is a good area to discover a range of wild flowers and, in the damper places, fungi. Red squirrels can still be seen in the forest, along with roe deer, badgers, adders and up to 40 species of birds including heron, woodcock, sparrow hawk, woodpeckers, fieldfare and goldfinch.