Kielder Water

Kielder Water is a large man-made reservoir in Northumberland, set within Kielder Forest, one of Europe’s biggest planted woodlands. It holds more water than any other reservoir in the United Kingdom and stretches along a 27.5-mile shoreline. The lake lies 24.6 miles from the sea and reaches depths of 52 metres in places. Its name comes from an old river term meaning ‘hard water’, first recorded in 1309. The reservoir was built in the late 1970s to store water for industry, though demand never grew as expected. The site matters because it now supports the Kielder Transfer Scheme, moving water to rivers downstream during droughts. It also houses England’s largest hydroelectric plant, opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1982. The plant uses two turbines to generate six megawatts of power, saving around 8,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. Over 250,000 visitors come annually to enjoy the water and surrounding forest. The reservoir has also appeared in films and novels, adding to its wider recognition. Visitors find two main centres: Leaplish waterside park and Tower Knowe visitor centre, with smaller facilities in nearby villages. The shoreline offers paths for walking and cycling through dense woodland. Sailing, fishing and wildlife watching draw people to the water’s edge. The dam at Yarrow marks the reservoir’s northern end, while Bakethin Reservoir sits at its head. Quiet coves and open bays give views across the water to rolling hills.