Harwood

Visitor information

Stunning views, open trails and red squirrels - visit Harwood for your next forest adventure!

Harwood is a large conifer forest located to the south of Simonside Hills in Rothubury. Lying within the Northumberland National Park, it provides visitors with access to a network of public footpaths, ranging from popular open paths to quiet trails through the forest. 

Harwood is also one of the red squirrel reserves in the north of England, so keep your eyes peeled for this rare species!

The nearest car park is located at Simonside, which is 2km north of the forest. 

At a glance

Some forest forest access routes in Northumberland are currently closed due to the damage caused by Storm Arwen. See latest information here.

  • Walking trails

Things to do

Walking in the forest is the perfect way to get some fresh air and explore Northumberland's most beautiful landscapes.

Explore Harwood on foot and discover its popular paths that...

Nearby forests

Forests of Rothbury, Simonside

The Simonside Hills lie within Northumberland National Park on the northern-most edge of Harwood forest and have beckoned walkers for years because of their wild and rugged beauty...

Forests of Rothbury, Simonside Crag

From the distinctive table-top profile of Simonside in the south, to Wooler Common adjacent to Wooler town in the north of the area, the Forests of Rothbury are not short of...

Holystone Woods, Rothbury

Holystone is tucked away in a quiet corner of Coquetdale. The peace and tranquillity of the area attracted a religious order that built a nunnery here in the twelfth century...

Forests of Rothbury,  view from top of Simonside

Thrunton Wood is planted on and around two steep escarpments of sandstone – Thrunton Crag in the north, and Long Crag /Coe Crag to the south. These lofty crags provide spectacular...

Membership invitation - click to find out more about membership
Volunteer with us invitation - click to discover volunteer opportunities across England