The village of Hamsterley sits on the brow of a hill between Teesdale and Weardale, on the edge of the North Pennines. Boasting an old village pub, where basic provisions can be purchased, the village is just two miles from Hamsterley Forest, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which covers 2000 hectares of mixed woodland and has an abundance of wildlife. The Forest Visitor Centre, complete with tea rooms, provides visitors with a wealth of information on the many activities available in the forest, including splendid walking, cycling and horse riding trails to suit all levels of expertise. Cycling enthusiasts will be well catered for with the Hamsterley Forest mountain bike downhill trail which has some of the steepest slopes in the UK, together with miles of cross country routes. The forest runs alongside the Bedburn Beck for four miles, providing access to grassy picnic sites and a play area for children, and also stages a wide range of events and activities every summer, from wildlife watches to theatre performances, and the Dark Skies Events are coming to the forest, with introductions to astronomy from trained instructors. With Raby Castle nearby and the delightful market town of Barnard Castle, with its medieval castle ruins and delightful cobbled streets, just 8 miles away, this is an ideal holiday location. The ancient cathedral city of Durham is also close by and is host to a number of events throughout the year so it is well worth checking what you can see while you are in the area.
