Comb Activities
Part of The Comb experience is the wide range of activities that we have on offer for you and your group when you come and stay. We’ll help you put together an unforgettable experience that is designed exactly to your group’s specific needs.
You can stay local to The Comb and wilderness on our doorstep, or you can venture further afield to explore Northumberland. In either case, activities range from the simple pleasures of walks in the forest or guided foraging expeditions to the more adrenalin-packed adventures of mountain biking or kayaking.
We list some examples of the activities on offer here. Let us know what you’re interested in and we can work with you to create the perfect schedule for your stay.
Dark Skies Lecture
The Comb sits at the heart of the largest dark sky park in the UK, they are truly spectacular. Enjoy an interactive tour of the heavens under the guidance of expert astronomers. They set up a telescope of our dark skies balcony to give you an exclusive and interactive tour of the wonders and beauty of the Universe.
Reivers Raid
Border Reivers were the fierce outlaw clans native to the borders of Scotland and England. They were famed for their skills at reiving (raiding) the Peel Towers or Bastles of rival clans to take flight with precious livestock. As outlaws their knowledge of the hills, glens, and forests of the border country allowed them to evade authorities and enemies alike. Walk in the footsteps of the Border Reivers as you navigate the hills, valleys, and forests of Tarset. Reivers Raid is the ultimate challenge of strategic planning, navigation, mental and physical problem solving, and sheer daring. Living history meets escape rooms, can you take their place in the Hall of Fame?
Kielder Mountain Biking
The trails of Kielder and Dead Water Fell offers over 100 miles of black, red, blue, and green mountain biking adventure for beginners to experts. Bloody Bush, Deadwater Up and Over, Lonesome Pine, Osprey, and Cross Border Cycle are trails all set in the wild country along the border. From a gentle family day out to an adrenaline fest, Kielder trials are some of the best in the country.
Activities in and around The Comb
The Comb and its estate are set among Kielder Forest and The Northumberland National Park and hundreds of thousands of acres of hills, forests, burns, and valleys. There are a large variety of walks from moor top paths of the Border Reivers to wood-lined valleys and pretty burns all steeped in history. In the activities centre at The Comb, there are maps and guides to all the local walks to enjoy the stunning beauty of Northumberland.
While walking you can observe the rich wildlife of one of the last true wildernesses in England. Foxes, hawks, deer, hares, badgers, red squirrels, owls, swifts, swallows, rabbits, buzzards enjoy the peace and space of this wild wonderland.
Tarset Walks
The Comb comes with a range of activities, both indoors or outside. We’ve lots to do in our own 60 acres of woods and grounds, or within the surrounding Kielder Forest, or The Northumberland National Park set in the largest dark sky park in Europe. The grounds have volleyball, badminton, table tennis, giant jenga, petanque for the active or plenty lovely spots to enjoy a glass of wine and watch a spectacular Tarset sunset. There are Board games and a big screen for film nights as well as team problem-solving tasks to sharpen your skill and set your appetite for Reivers Raid and the real thing.
Foraging
Enjoy a special day as you learn to harvest the larder of mother nature in a forage and feast day. Among the wonderful scenery of the Tarset valley gain the knowledge of how to find, identify, and then prepare the food you gather. A special experience that gives you a new talent for a lifetime.
Hadrian’s Wall Guided Walk
Hadrian’s wall is a world heritage site being the historic boundary of the Roman Empire running from coast to coast through the wilds of Northumberland. Walk the iconic central section of the wall with its spectacular crags and movie famous locations as expert guides bring it to life. Transport yourself into the world of a Roman centurion in the museums and best-preserved forts in the UK.
North Tyne River Picnic
The North Tyne is a beautiful river and valley stretching from Kielder Reservoir down to where it merges with the South Tyne near Hexham. Enjoys it tree-lined banks, high moors and hills, deep pools, and rippling rapids in a Canadian canoe float. Find a tranquil spot for your picnic with no crowds and enjoy the peace and beauty of a day on the river.
Reivers Hunger Games
Border Reivers meets The Hunger Games. The movie trilogy of Hunger Games tells the tale of a young woman from the woods, Katniss Everdeen, who is a master of bow and arrow. Through the lens of a gladiatorial battle to the death game show, she takes on the might of an oppressive empire. Test your reactions, nerve, and skills of archery, clay pigeon shooting, rifle, and paintball as you become Katniss. Stalk the woods for the target to hit foe but spare allies with your bow and arrow, score of the low and high clays before The Hunger Games finale where there can be only one winner.
Northumberland Golf
Northumberland offers a diverse range of beautiful golf courses and The Comb provides an ideal base to go and explore them. Bellingham offers a beautiful setting with stunning views across and down the North Tyne valley. Goswick on the coast is a classic links, the parkland tranquility of Hexham or Matfen Hall, or challenge yourself at Slaley Hall on the championship course that has hosted PGA tournaments.