Kielder Observatory

About

Kielder Observatory sits high on Black Fell above Kielder Water, at the heart of the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park. Built like the deck of a ship jutting out over the forest, it's one of the best public observatories in the country, and with almost no light pollution around it the skies on a clear night are extraordinary.

The team runs around 700 events a year, almost every night. The main evening events start around 8pm and last about three hours, with a tour of the observatory, a talk and — if the cloud allows — time at the telescopes. There are also family events, relaxed sessions for people who'd like a quieter experience, and themed nights on everything from the aurora to the moon.

Good to know

Every event is ticketed and must be booked in advance; weekends, school holidays and the dark nights around each new moon sell out weeks ahead. The best season is September to March. The access track is two miles long and single-track, and only opens an hour before each event. Events go ahead whatever the weather, so dress warmly. Only assistance dogs are allowed, so this is one for an evening when the dog stays home. Make a day of it with Kielder Water & Forest Park.