Hamsterley Forest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hamsterley Forest |
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Bedburn Beck in Autumn, Hamsterley Forest
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| Map | |
 Location in County Durham
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| Geography | |
| Location | County Durham, England |
| OS grid | NZ093307 |
| Coordinates | 54°40′19″N 1°51′22″W / 54.672°N 1.856°W |
| Area | 2,000 hectares (4,900 acres) |
| Administration | |
| Governing body | Forestry Commission |
Hamsterley Forest is a huge forest in County Durham, England. It's managed by the Forestry Commission. This forest is the biggest in County Durham, covering more than 2,000 hectares (that's about 4,942 acres!). It's a great place for outdoor fun. Most of the activities happen near the visitor centre on the eastern side. Here, you'll find a cafe, a learning room, restrooms, and a bike shop called Wood'n'Wheels. You can even rent bikes there!
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History of Hamsterley Forest
Building the Forest in the 1930s
In the 1930s, many people in England needed jobs. The government created special work programs. Unemployed men helped plant trees and build tracks in Hamsterley Forest. Most of these men came from mining towns and shipyards in the North East of England.
They lived in simple wooden huts at special "instructional centres." These centres were like work camps. The men did hard work and lived right there in the forest. By 1938, there were 35 such centres across Britain.
The centres closed in 1938 as more people found jobs. But you can still see some of the old huts near the visitor centre today. The visitor centre building itself was once the camp's dining hall. During World War II, this visitor centre area was even used as a prisoner of war camp.
Ancient Discoveries in the Forest
People have found very old tools in Hamsterley Forest. These tools were made from flint. They date back to the Mesolithic, Neolithic, and Bronze Age periods. This shows that people lived here thousands of years ago!
There might also have been a place where iron was processed in the 1400s. This was a long time ago, in the 15th century. Also, near Linburn Hall Wood, there was once a medieval convent.
In 2008, a TV show called Time Team visited the forest. They looked at a large stone structure known as "the Castles." Its walls were five metres thick! It seems to be from the late Iron Age. It might have been a place to keep animals safe.
Mountain Biking Adventures
Hamsterley Forest is a super popular spot for mountain biking! A group called Hamsterley Trailblazers helps create and look after the bike trails. They started in 2004.
Official Mountain Bike Trails
There are three main trails, each marked with a different colour:
- Blue Trail: This trail is for moderate riders. It's a good step up from easy rides.
- Red Trail: This one is more difficult. It's for experienced riders looking for a challenge.
- Black Trail: This is the expert trail. It's the hardest and best for very skilled riders.
All these trails have clear signs to guide you.
The Loop Skills Circuit
"The Loop" is a special area where you can practice your mountain biking skills. It has tricky parts like "rock gardens" (lots of rocks to ride over) and "north shore obstacles" (wooden ramps and bridges). These features are also graded from blue to black.
Because of the challenging features, it's very important to wear a helmet here. This area is not really for casual family bike rides. It's for riders who want to improve their skills.
You can see a map showing the mountain biking areas.
Downhill and 4X Courses
There's also a private club called Descend. They started in 2000. This club runs special mountain bike courses. These include 4X (four-cross) and downhill courses. These are located south of "the grove" area.
If you want to find more mountain bike rides nearby, check out Beyond Hamsterley.
Other Fun Activities
Hamsterley Forest isn't just for bikes! It's also a fantastic place for other outdoor activities.
You can enjoy peaceful walks on the many trails. Horse riding is another popular activity here. The forest has special paths for horses too.
Hamsterley Forest has also hosted many car rallies over the years. The famous RAC Rally has been held here. Another event is the Hamsterley Stages Rally. Since 2009, this rally has been known as The Tour of Hamsterley Rally.
If you love running, the Durham Fell Runners group is active in the forest. They often start their running events from the visitor centre.
