Hamsterley Forest

Hamsterley Forest is a commercial forest in County Durham operated by the Forestry Commission. It is the largest forest in County Durham and covers more than 2000 hectres. Recreational activities are promoted within the forest and are focussed at the eastern end around the [http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/Recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/EnglandDurhamCountyNoForestHamsterleyHamsterleyForestVisitorCentre visitors centre] . In addition to the visitors centre there is an adjacent cafe, an education room, toilet facilities and an independent bike shop called [http://www.woodnwheels.co.uk/ Wood'n'Wheels] that also hires out bikes .

The valley floor, with stream and adventure playground, is a popular area for families.

A toll fee is payable for cars and motorbikes. Minibuses and coaches are permitted by appointment only.

History

During the 1930s, the Forest was planted and tracks were built by unemployed men supplied through the Ministry of Labour. Most came from the mining communities and shipyards of the North East of England. They were housed in one of a number of Instructional Centres created by the Ministry, most of them on Forestry Commission property; by 1938, the Ministry had 35 Instructional Centres across Britain. These were basically work camps, where unemployed men carried out heavy labour and lived on site in wooden huts. The Instructional Centres were closed in 1938, as unemployment declined in the run-up to war, but some of the huts can still be seen around the Visitors' Centre, which was originally built as the camp's refectory.

*The visitor centre was part of a prison of war camp during the second world war.
*The forest contains the ruins of Metcalf's house which was once a coaching inn complete with stables.
*Neighbour Moor House has been around since at least 1856.
*A number of Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age flint tools have been found in Doctor's Gate Quarry
*In the 18th Century the residents of Hamsterley had an illegal distillery
*There used to be a swimming pool in Hamsterley - between the cafe and river.
*An area of the forest is probably the site of a 15th century iron ore processing site.
*An area next to Linburn Hall Wood was the site of a medieval convent.
*Running through the valley is Bedburn beck

Mountain Biking

Mountain bike trails are developed in the forest by [http://www.hamsterley-trailblazers.co.uk Hamsterley Trailblazers] which were constituted on 5th January 2004. There are four official routes: Green (easy), Blue (moderate), Red (Difficult) and Black (expert) all of which are waymarked with colour-coded marker posts.

"The Loop" is a skills development circuit which includes features such as rock gardens and north shore obstacles. Features are graded from blue to black therefore helmets should be worn and it is not suitable for occasional/family cyclists.

[http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?t=h&om=1&ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=54.673232,-1.898671&spn=0.001691,0.003562&z=18&msid=100876586980271444310.0000011328e49b166dbb7 A map showing areas used by mountain bikers]

[http://www.descendhamsterley.co.uk/ Descend] , a private club established in 2000 operates mountain bike 4X and downhill courses in the area south of the Grove.

See also [http://www.beyond-hamsterley.co.uk Beyond Hamsterley] for more mountain bike rides in the area.

Other Activities

The forest is home to other activities such as walking and horse riding. The forest has also been host to the RAC rally.

[http://www.durhamfellrunners.org.uk Durham Fell Runners ] are active in the forest with regular events starting at the visitors centre.

Trivia

David Bellamy is often cited as the forest's most famous resident although he actually lives just outside the forest in Mill House, Bedburn.

External links

[http://www.forestry.gov.uk/ The Forestry Commision]

[http://www.woodcraft.org.uk/ Outdoor Centre]

[http://www.geocities.com/westhoppyland/ West Hoppyland Farm]

[http://www.keystothepast.info/durhamcc/K2P.nsf/K2PResults?readform&FT=hamsterley+forest Keys To The Past - Hamsterley Forest]

[http://www.3gphamsterley.co.uk/ 3GP Hamsterley]

References

Field, J. "Learning Through Labour: Training, unemployment and the state, 1890-1920, 1992, University of Leeds, ISBN 0-900-960-48-5