Inside the UK’s standout stargazing site, a must-see for dark sky fans
With 580 square miles of glittering dark skies, Northumberland International Dark Sky Park is Europe's biggest Gold Tier area of protected night sky, and one of the biggest in the world.
Its top-tier status puts Kielder, located in the heart of the Dark Sky Park, up there with Death Valley and Big Bend Dark Sky Parks: this is world-class stargazing without travelling to the ends of the Earth.
In a hushed corner of Kielder Forest, hugged by 150 million trees, is Kielder Observatory. As the area is free from light pollution, nightfall reveals incredibly detailed celestial sights. Guided by astronomers, it’s chance to look deep into the cosmos, with the naked eye and through the Observatory’s cutting-edge telescopes.
VISIT KIELDER OBSERVATORY WITH CL
Observatory stargazing is included in Country Living's exclusive three-day break to Northumberland, to see some of Britain’s most spectacular scenery in the company of astronomer Richard Darn, who helped establish the Dark Sky Park.
Interested in exploring the UK attraction? Before you go, here's everything you need to know about visiting Kielder Observatory in the Northumberland National Park...
Where is Kielder Observatory?
Kielder Observatory lies in Northumberland, just half a mile from the Scottish border. Northumberland is England’s least-densely populated county – and that’s no more apparent than in the Observatory’s location of Kielder Water and Forest Park. It is the biggest planted forest in England at 250 square miles, set around a tranquil reservoir with a shoreline of 27 miles.
Despite feeling thrillingly remote, the area is accessible, with bike trails and well-maintained roads winding through the forest and Northumberland National Park. No public transport operates within the forest, so to visit the Observatory it’s best to drive or join a tour, like Country Living's three-day dark sky break.
What is there to see at Kielder Observatory?
The RIBA award-winning building is a sight to behold. A strikingly modern, chalet-like structure, it’s the first observatory designed as a 'land pier' and made from timber. It’s also fully off-grid, self-powered by a wind turbine and photo-voltaic panels. The latest addition is an outbuilding with a roll-off roof, specifically for astrophotography.
During the day, the Observatory is closed. However, the site and its Observing Deck serves as a viewing platform over Kielder. Look out for wildlife; the forest is home to over half of all England’s red squirrels, as well as deer, wild goats and birds of prey. Close by is Kielder Skyspace, an art installation in the form of a walk-in chamber that manipulates natural light.
Do you have to book tickets in advance for Kielder Observatory?
You do have to pre-book tickets for Kielder Observatory. Due to a single-track lane leading up to the Observatory, they ask that only ticket-holders drive up to the site. The main evening events generally run from 8pm until 11pm.
Book well ahead to have your pick of stargazing dates; crescent moons are preferable to full moons, as you can see deeper into the sky when there’s little natural light.
Can you see the Milky Way from Kielder?
Stretching from horizon to horizon like magic dust, the Milky Way is a reminder of our humble place in the universe. The planet we call home is two-thirds of the way from the centre of this vast spiral galaxy.
The Milky Way is best seen before Christmas, when it’s high in the evening sky. You can still see it in spring, although generally not as well. On clear winter nights, you can easily see the Milky Way with the naked eye from the Kielder Observatory viewing decks. Deep-sky objects such as star clusters, nebulae and other galaxies – like the Andromeda Galaxy, over two million light years away – are also visible when conditions are right
Can you stay overnight at Kielder Forest?
While there’s no accommodation at the Observatory, Kielder Forest has an array of options, from cottages to log cabins, hotels to B&Bs. Kielder Campsite is an hour’s stroll away or a 20-minute drive. Their ‘warm room’ allows stargazers to thaw out before zipping in for the night, with only canvas between you and the stars.
Beyond the forest, near the Hadrian’s Wall section of Dark Sky Park is Twice Brewed Inn. This is no ordinary pub: an observatory and planetarium have been built on-site. Special effects shows allow you to experience the aurora as if you were in the Arctic Circle, journey into nebulae, or fly through Saturn’s rings. This pub is the accommodation for Country Living’s Northumberland trip, so you can enjoy the splendour of the cosmos between hearty food and ale by an open fire.
What is the best time of year to visit Kielder Observatory?
Public events run almost nightly, year-round. September to March is the best time to stargaze in the UK, as the inky dark skies reveal the deepest look into space. The evening spectacle doesn’t wind down when the days grow long, however. Sunsets bring their own kind of magic and from Mid-May to August, Northumberland is in prime position for noctilucent clouds. Formed by tiny particles of meteor dust creating a foundation for ice crystals, the result is shimmering silver across the sky - sometimes referred to as the summertime aurora.
How can I visit Kielder Observatory in 2025?
The further ahead you can book, the better, as the stargazing events and local accommodation get snapped up fast. Browse events and book online at kielderobservatory.org. Don’t forget to check their full moon chart.
Or, let us do all the planning for you by booking Country Living’s exclusive trip. Join fellow starry-eyed travellers to experience Kielder Observatory and the Twice Brewed Observatory on private tours, accompanied by astronomer Richard Darn – a figurehead of Northumberland’s Dark Sky status.
Taking place over a long weekend in March 2025, the itinerary goes beyond after-dark adventures. You’ll also explore Hadrian’s Wall, an astounding feat of engineering along the Roman Empire’s northwest frontier, through wild and rugged hills. Northumberland’s evocative landscape can’t fail to inspire a sense of wonder, day or night.
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