Lifestyle
Travel: Staycation Forest Holidays in the North
From the starry skies of Galloway Forest Park to Kielder’s wildlife-rich woodland, some of our country’s most magical forests can be found in northern England and Scotland. We’ve put together three of our favourites, perfect for your next staycation. Galloway Forest, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland Where better to start than with the UK’s largest forest? At 297 square miles, Scotland’s Galloway Forest Park is a sprawling playground of ancient woodland, magnificent scenery and an astonishing range of wildlife.
Light pollution is so low here that the forest has been recognised as a Dark Sky Park – meaning that its skies are perfect for stargazing. After a night camping out under the stars, start your adventures from one of the park’s three visitor centres. Kirroughtree is your gateway to more active adventures, including the award-winning 7stanes mountain bike trails. If wildlife spotting is more your scene, look out for roe deer and rare red squirrels, or visit the park’s Red Deer Range. Galloway isn’t just woodland either. There are around 250 lochs to discover as you explore the park’s scenic walking and cycling trails. Kielder Forest, Northumberland, England When it comes to size, Northumberland’s Kielder Forest is also a front runner. Spanning 235 square miles, it’s the largest forest in England – and the second largest in the UK. Kielder is also home to the biggest man-made lake in Northern Europe, making it a popular spot for water sports enthusiasts. With miles of beautiful trails,
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including forest walks and adrenaline-boosting mountain bike tracks, Kielder invites you to have your own mini adventure. The forest is a haven for wildlife too. Around 50% of England’s native red squirrels call it home, and rare wildlife including ospreys, pipistrelle bats, roe deer, salmon otters and water voles can also be found here. Just like Galloway, Kielder is famous for its dark skies. The forest’s remote location in Northumberland means it’s virtually unaffected by light pollution, making it a stargazer’s paradise. Don’t miss a trip to Kielder Observatory, where you can book ahead to attend a number of fascinating astronomical events. Glen Affric, Inverness, Scotland A medley of native woods, glittering lochs, snow-capped mountains and dramatic moorland, Scotland’s Glen Affric could easily have been plucked out of Canada. With over 30 miles of ancient pinewoods, the forest has one of the largest ancient Caledonian pine woods in Scotland. The woodland is so treasured it’s become part of the Scottish government’s regeneration project, with a target of 25% forest cover to reach by 2050. Wander amongst the pine trees to the sound of woodland birds, looking out for ospreys, otters and red deer stags. Or tackle some of Affric’s hiking trails, punctuated with thundering waterfalls and jagged canyons. This is Scotland at its most spectacular. Dog Falls are a must-see and provide a good starting point for several walking trails. Climb the gradual ascent to the spectacular viewpoint overlooking Loch Beinn a’ Mheadhoin, or picnic beneath the pine trees by Coire Loch.
To advertise contact Ruth: T: 01332 883140 M: 07545 261034 E: ruth@allthingslocal.co.uk
