Kielder Art & Architecture

The nearest public parking is at Kielder Castle Visitor Centre. From there it is recommended that visitors use the OS Explorer Map OL 42 or 'Kielder Forest Deadwater mountain bike trail guide' to identify their access route. 

The shortest distance along forest roads is close to 4 miles and walkers should allow one and a half to two hours to reach the top and the same for their return. Experienced non-mountain bike users can also access the top of Deadwater with care by the same route as walkers, although only experienced cyclists using specialised mountain bikes should contemplate using the Deadwater Mountainbike Trail as their return route.

Non-mountainbike equipped cyclists should expect to take around one hour to reach the top with the return trip taking about half that time. However, although the road surface is generally acceptable, most cyclists will find that conventional road bike gearing will not offer low enough ratios to cope with such a prolonged climb.

All visitors should note that Specere is just over 1200 feet/360m higher than Kielder Castle Visitor Centre and while the route is a long if not difficult uphill walk or cycle, the additional elevation makes the site very exposed and on most days it will be a great deal colder and windier on Deadwater summit. Visitors are therefore advised to take additional clothing and appropriate provisions with them. It is also usually possible to receive a mobile signal on the summit.

OS map ref: NY626970

Specere is a stark timber shelter designed by internationally acclaimed architect David Adjaye and located on top of the 1900 foot summit of Deadwater Fell - a very exposed hilltop overlooking Kielder Water & Forest Park. As well as walkers to this remote outpost, from this point, mountain bikers begin their descent down one of the Park's single-track trails back to their starting point at Kielder Castle Visitor Centre.

Specere can be interpreted as meaning ‘to see’ or ‘I see’. The structure sits close to the Deadwater radar installation is three sided with an entrance to the rear. One side is solid and offers protection from prevailing southwesterly winds, one is perforated providing a fragmented view to the east, and the third is completely open framing the view to the south of the full expanse of Kielder Water & Forest Park.

Specere also offers visitors fantastic views into southern Scotland while also offering protection from the extreme weather conditions often encountered on Deadwater.

Further information about Adjaye Associates can be found at www.adjaye.com/

A lot of space! Deadwater Fell is the starting point of the Deadwater mountainbike trail, an RAF radar installation as well as being in a SSSI (site of special scientific interest) and the Kielderhead Nature Reserve.

Art & Architecture guide starting from Kielder Castle Visitor Centre