Kielderhead Moors

The Kielderhead Moors are located in Northumberland in northern England, close to the border with Scotland, within the broader Kielder Water and Forest Park landscape. This remote upland area lies within the Northumberland National Park fringes and is among the most sparsely populated regions in England.

The blanket bog at Kielderhead is an internationally important habitat that stores significant amounts of carbon and supports specialized species including sphagnum mosses, bog cotton, and ground-nesting waders. Blanket bogs are rare globally, and active restoration is underway to rewet drained areas and restore their ecological function.

Restoration efforts at Kielderhead Moors include blocking drainage ditches to rewet the blanket bog, allowing sphagnum moss to recover and new peat to form. These projects are part of broader peatland restoration initiatives across northern England aimed at improving carbon storage, water quality, and biodiversity.

The Kielderhead Moors are remote and wild with limited formal trail infrastructure, making them suitable primarily for experienced walkers with navigation skills. Access is possible via paths connecting from the Kielder Forest and Kielder Water area, which has an extensive trail network for less adventurous visitors.