visiting kielder water with our toddler

We recently took a little family day trip to Kielder Water & Forest in Northumberland, and despite a few classic toddler hiccups (and questionable weather planning on our part which will not be a surprise to anyone who has read my blog about our trip to Warkworth Castle), it turned out to be such a lovely day out!

For those who don't know, Kielder Water is a huge man-made lake with a whopping 27 miles of shoreline, so it’s not the sort of place you can just pop to without a bit of a plan. Especially if you have a toddler who only naps in the car or at home and turns into a tiny, adorable monster when tired. 😅

So, here’s how our slightly chaotic but thoroughly enjoyable day at Kielder Waterside went down.

Completed 'Ospreys Over Kielder' Cross Stitch

taking the scenic route

We were staying nearby in Bellingham, and the drive to Kielder Waterside would normally take about 20 minutes, but in classic tactical parenting fashion, we took the long way round to guarantee a nap for Little Miss TSK.

Google Maps suggested a slightly longer route through Donkleywood, and wow, what a shout that was. The views over the North Tyne Valley were absolutely stunning. Definitely recommend if you fancy a scenic drive (and/or desperately need your child to sleep before you reach your destination).

Right on cue, she woke up just as we arrived. Mission accomplished.

First Stop: Food (Obviously)

We parked up (there’s loads of parking, though it is paid, check here for up-to-date info) and made a beeline for The Forest Bar & Kitchen. We were hungry, and nothing is as hangry as a hungry toddler.

The restaurant was lovely inside with big windows looking out over Kielder Water, which was looking particularly moody and dramatic that day. There’s also a sports bar and a soft play area if you’re staying longer or need to let little ones burn off some energy.

For lunch I had a crab sandwich with saffron mayo (so good), Mr TSK went for a fancy fish finger sandwich and was very happy with his choice, and Little Miss TSK had fish fingers, chips, and peas (classic toddler fare) and demolished the lot.

It’s also very dog-friendly, so Morris our whippet happily chilled under the table.

A Quick Look Around the Shop

After lunch, we had a wander around the Kielder Waterside shop. It’s mostly stocked with essentials for people staying in the lodges, but there were also some lovely local handmade gifts.

I actually reached out afterwards to see if they’d like to stock my Ospreys Over Kielder Cross Stitch Kit, so fingers crossed! It would be the perfect souvenir for crafty types who love the area and for visitors of the lodges. I'm imagining a day walking the Lakeside Way, some dinner at The Forest Bar & Kitchen, then back to the lodge for a cosy evening stitching. Bliss!

Let’s Go for a Walk! (Spoiler: It Was Not a Relaxing Stroll)

Right, so this is where things started to go slightly downhill. We decided to go for a little walk along the lake, the absolute must do activity when visiting Kielder Water. Sounds peaceful, right? Nope.

Issue 1: We couldn’t find the path. Like, at all. We wandered around for ages, past the mini-golf, behind the restaurant, nothing. Eventually we gave in and asked inside the shop, and a very kind staff member pointed us in the right direction. (FYI, it’s through the far end of the car park. You’re welcome.)

Issue 2: Surprise sunshine. The morning had been grey and drizzly, so naturally we hadn’t brought a sun hat or suncream. Then out of nowhere full sun with very little cloud cover and a very exposed path. Cue panic about toddler heatstroke.

Issue 3: Toddler refuses the carrier. She’d been loving it at first, grabbing at leaves as we walked. Then, as toddlers do, she suddenly decided she needed to walk. By herself. In the opposite direction to us. While trying to eat plants. Classic.

Needless to say, the walk didn’t last long. We turned back, all slightly sweaty and a bit frazzled.

Time for the Playground

Before heading home, we made one last stop at the playground, which is right next to the visitor centre.

There are two separate areas: one for bigger kids and one for little ones. Our daughter only had eyes for the swings (of course). She probably would’ve stayed on them all day if we’d let her.

Just a heads up, unfortunately (for us) dogs aren’t allowed in the play area, so I had to go in alone with Little Miss TSK while Mr TSK and Morris watched from a distance.

After that, it was nap time again, so we packed up and hit the road.

What We Missed when visiting kielder water

There’s so much more to see and do at Kielder Water that we didn’t manage this time. The water sports or other activities look a lot of fun but are a long way off with our daughter not even being 2 yet,. Two things I'd love to do in the near future that we didn't get to do this time are...

• The Kielder Bird of Prey Centre. It's right there at Waterside, perfect for kids and grownups who love animals.

• Kielder Castle. It looks beautiful and super atmospheric and we all know I'm a sucker for a castle.

  
  

So yes, we’re already planning a return trip. Hopefully with slightly better sun prep and a more cooperative toddler!

Bring a Bit of Kielder Home With You

If you love Kielder Water as much as we do, you might like our Ospreys Over Kielder Cross Stitch Kit, inspired by the amazing wildlife and views of the area. It’s a lovely project for a cosy evening, or a thoughtful gift for a crafty friend.

Check out the Kielder Water Cross Stitch Kit HERE.

Despite the toddler drama, unexpected sun, and slight path-finding fails, we had such a lovely time at Kielder Waterside. It’s a brilliant spot for a family day out in Northumberland, especially if you love nature, big views, and a good crab sandwich.

If you're local or planning a trip to the North East, definitely add it to your list.

And if you're a stitcher (or shopping for one), don’t forget to browse our full collection of British Landmark Cross Stitch Kits inspired by real places, designed with love.

Ospreys Over Kielder Cross Stitch Kit

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