‘The vast wooded wilderness doesn’t look like England’: exploring Northumberland’s Kielder Forest

Kielder Forest in Northumberland, England, a vast wooded wilderness spanning 250 square miles, is celebrating its centenary this year with new trails and dark sky events. Comprising 158 million trees, primarily hand-planted sitka spruce conifers, the forest boasts a unique, almost un-English appearance reminiscent of Canada or Finland. It serves as a working forest, providing 500 full-time jobs, and its creation after World War I was crucial for UK timber reserves. The landscape is dotted with striking art installations, such as the two-storey timber head 'Silvas Capitalis', contributing to its distinctive atmosphere for visitors.