FORGET going to Lapland if you want to see the Northern Lights this winter.
Home to England’s largest forest, Kielder Water & Forest Park is one of the best places to spot them.
Located in Northumberland, right next to the Scottish border, this holiday park has huge pine forests and 27 miles of lake shoreline.
Kielder Water & Forest Park is also an area with some of England’s darkest skies, which means you can spot the Northern Lights much easier due to the lack of light pollution.
In 2013, the holiday park was awarded Gold Tier Dark Sky Park Status by the International Dark Skies Association which is the highest tier status possible.
And the forest park is also home to the largest man-made lake in Northern Europe.
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The reservoir was officially opened in 1982 to meet a rise in water demand. although took another two years for it to actually fill up.
Today, Kielder Water & Forest Park is perfect for outdoor activity fans.
From walking to water skiing and even horseriding, this area is famous for its activities and nature.
But the holiday park is not only famous for its views, it has also caught the attention of a popular TV star.
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6Architect George Clark, best known for his hit C4 show George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces and Old House, New Home, has added an amazing place to stay in the park.
The Sky Den, designed in collaboration with the legendary TV architect and designer William Hardie, is an accessible tree house that is perfect for star gazing.
In a comment about the project, George said: “We’ve never designed anything like it before.
"It's part tree house, part art installation and can offer a unique experience on a unique site.”
Featuring a triangle-shaped pod with an opening roof, guests might even get the chance to catch sight of the aurora borealis.
Other benefits of the Sky Den include another pod where guests can view the forest while being warmed by a wood burner and a third pod that has furniture which can be pulled from the walls and built together.
On Canopy and Stars, visitors of the Sky Den enthusiastically shared their experiences.
One wrote: “What a fantastic place. Beautiful setting, amazing place and the stars!"
A second said: “The Sky Den was amazing. On our second night we had clear skies.
"Cuddling up with all the family and looking out onto the stars is a memory we shall treasure forever.”
The Sky Den can be booked for £215 per day.
You can also stay at Kielder’s water lodges and Calvert Trust’s log-cabin lodges that start from £559 a week.
Both lodge locations offer stunning views of the picturesque landscape such as the simmering lakeside and rolling forest hills.
Kielder Water & Forest Park also has camping and caravanning with a designated lakeside caravan park and the Kielder Caravan and Camping Site.
Kielder Water & Forest Park can be reached by road from Hexham, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Carlisle and Jedburgh.
In order to use the car park, drivers must pay a daily fee of £5. This daily fee lasts until 3am so visitors can experience one of the darkest night skies in the world.
Every winter, the holiday park also puts on a Winter Wonderland with an array of festive activities for the family.
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Kids can get to experience the magic of Santa Elves’ Workshop, and Santa Claus and even meet some friendly reindeer.
Kielder Winter Wonderland starts in mid-November and runs until December 23.
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