About The Area
Hamsterley Forest is County Durham’s largest forest, covering over 2,000 hectares. It is centred around the steep valley of the Ayhope and Bedburn becks, and the varied topography has resulted in an extremely rich and diverse collection of habitats. Hamsterley is a working forest, where over 20,000 tonnes of timber are produced each year. Sensitive management
has successfully combined timber production with the promotion of wildlife and recreation.
This is designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the product of centuries of farming and lead mining. The North Pennines is also a UNESCO European and Global Geopark – highlighting its globally important Earth heritage.
