Hamsterley Forest — Local services in South Bedburn

Don't go walking here. The satnav took us to the Blacking hole car park. It's a free car park and looked nice around the area. We started walking and followed what we believed to be a path on the red bike lines we had seen other people walking and riding past. At no point did we find any signs that say different. We eventually found some signs that told us the distance back to the start apparently. We were very wrong. It was now starting to get dark and after asking some bikers were to go we got extremely lost with no phone signal or idea where we were. The temperature were dropping no lights in sight we walked around lost. It says there is a phone some where I am still yet to find it. We found some random houses and after knocking on them we finally got someone who could help us thankfully my phone still had some life in it to show them pictures of the map and find our way back. After a worrying walk like that never again would I go back. No signs no nothing are up. No a signal light was around when it gets dark. We have walked some places but this was the worst. No signs for directions for anyone on bikes or walking. Hamsterley forest...

There’s something for everybody here.

Great walks long & short.

Great mountain biking trail centre. Various different grades & distances.

Gruffalow trail for kids and loads of wooden climbing equipment for adults to play on when there’s nobody about haha.

Cafe is OK food isn’t anything to rave about but there is some healthy options & the staff are always very friendly and welcoming.

It’s great all year round but can be muddy so bring spare boots/wellies and enjoy it.

Car park charges more on bank hols, it’s about £10 I think for the day as opposed to £6 non bank hol for the day. Personally I don’t mind paying for the upkeep of the place.

There is the descent bike park which is separate from hamsterly and you have to pay to enter I believe. It has its own website but it’s a bit extreme for me, more for the Downhillers. For the record though I’m led to believe it’s very good.

There is a bike uplift service which needs to be booked in advance as it’s not always on (depends on numbers).

This place can get busy in summer. But I’ve always got parked without hassle (bring change for...

Real family adventure, 6 adults, 2 grandkids and 3 dogs.. started off in the car park, walked our way around the first part of the blue (Gruffalo) trail, before splitting Off at the bridge up into the huge pine forest, to follow the yellow route, then followed the looped walk,to rejoin the blue trail,to finish the Gruffalo trail.. parking prices dependant on time spent walking, £7 our cost.. ice cream van, cafe, toilets, gift shop , big play/adventure climb place all by carpark.. The forest is well signposted along the routes, varying in difficulty with plenty of photo opportunities, especially at the top overlooking the country side, wildlife is aplenty, even a small holding with lambs, chickens and noisy cockerels.. In the dip at the bottom is a river, places shallow enough for kids to paddle, dogs to splash about and wash off the mud from the forest.. some parts deeper for our Labrador to learn to swim... All the day was great, lovely place, clean, well kept, as a family day out brilliant place to breathe in fresh air and relax.. will...