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Kielder
water, Lake and
Forest
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Tucked away in the north-west of Northumberland, bordered on the
west by Cumbria and to the north by Scotland, we find both the largest
man-made reservoir and the largest planted forest in Northern Europe.
The Forest was first planted in the 1920s as a means of ensuring
UK timber supplies and continued to develop in this way right up
to the 1960s. Latterly, however, the emphasis has shifted to include
provision of leisure facilities - and a safe haven for all manner
of wildlife, including endangered species such as the red squirrel.
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In some ways, the construction of the reservoir followed a
similar pattern. Planned in the 1960s and built in six years,
commencing 1975, it was purely intended to guarantee a supply
for NE industry. However, since the project was completed, the
demand from that sector has declined so that, once again, the
supply of water goes hand in hand with the provision of leisure
facilities. |
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As a result, the whole area has now
become an important tourist centre catering for a wide variety
of outdoor activities, sailing, cruising, water-skiing, walking,
cycling, fishing and so on.
A path right around the lake has been planned for walkers and
cyclists and a network of eating places and visitor centres
etc has sprung up, making the area an ideal destination for
days out. |
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