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Based on 893 reviews
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Kielder Water & Forest Park, Kielder - 4.73 mile(s) away Mountain Biking in Kielder Water & Forest Park, Kielder - 1.59 mile(s) awayKielder Observatory is an astronomical attraction at Kielder Water & Forest Park run by the Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society. Please visit www.kielderobservatory.org for all event bookings.
Famed for having the darkest night skies in England thanks to minimal light pollution, Kielder Water & Forest Park is a star gazers' heaven and the Observatory offers exciting opportunities for those with an interest in learning more about the night sky.
Like the deck of a ship sailing above the landscape, the Observatory provides astronomers with a permanent facility in the heart of Northumberland. It is part of the art and architecture programme that has turned the park into an open air gallery over the last ten years.
The observatory runs a wide variety of events every evening with extra at weekends and school holidays; from main evening observing evenings to shorter educational family events and specialist science events. Check www.kielderobservatory.org for all event listings and to book places. Please note pre-booking is essential. The Observatory is fantastic to visit all year round - the spectacular views are best in summer while the winter nights are darker and better for star gazing.
To reach the observatory, follow signs up the forest track and park at the top car park. The track will be opened approx. 1 hour before the start of your event, access is only for those with tickets for that event. Those wishing to visit during the day to enjoy views down to Kielder Water (facility will be closed) can park in the car park for Skyspace* just off the main road and walk up the hill (50 minutes). Please note that there is a vehicular barrier beyond the bottom car park and although you can obtain a key from the Forestry Commission shop to make it possible to drive as far as the Skyspace, vehicular access after this point is restricted to times when astronomy events are being held.
*Skyspace is a circular room which is illuminated by a combination of natural and artificial light at different times of the day. During dawn and dusk, the changing light conditions create a rich and unforgettable display of tone and colour. Both Skyspace and the Observatory are part of the art & architecture programme at Kielder Water & Forest Park.
Sat-nav users beware, the observatory does not have a postcode.
Coming northbound from Bellingham the turn off for the observatory is about 1/2 mile before Kielder Village (NE48 1ER), the track is clearly marked with a brown road tourism sign labelled "Kielder Skyspace and Observatory".
Southbound from Scotland drive straight past Kielder Village (NE48 1ER) then the turn off for the observatory is about 1/2 mile after the village, the track is clearly marked with a brown road tourism sign labelled "Kielder Skyspace and Observatory".
The track will be opened to vehicles 1 hr before the event starts and it is a further 2 miles through the forest to the observatory visitor car park. If the track is not open when you arrive please wait for a staff member to arrive, the track is suitable for most vehicles but do not exceed 15mph. Disabled visitors may park beside the observatory building. We have no waiting area so if you arrive very early please wait in the decking area or in your vehicle.
| Kielder Observatory features in the itinerary... |
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| Family Fun |
| Day Trip Must Sees |
| Discover Kielder |
Official leaflet for the Kielder Observatory
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Free (External Viewpoint) |
1 |
£0.00 per ticket
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Car parking available
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Book online
www.kielderobservatory.org/events |
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Event venue
Events must be booked in advance |
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Open all year
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Ticket booking essential
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Guided Tours
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Toilet facilities
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based on 893 reviews
 15/06/2019 | Still as good as everJohn_Lickman, Harlow, United Kingdom I've been to the Observatory twice before. It's as excellent as ever. Alas, this time the weather closed in and we had rain and low cloud all night, so there was no stare gazing. However, the lectures were as engaging and entertaining as ever. We arrived at 8pm and didn't leave until nearly midnight because we were so engrossed with the subjects discussed. Even my wife, who had no interest in astronomy, prior to this visit was completely enthralled by the evening. |
05/06/2019 | Kielder Observatory - I Will Never Look at the Night Sky in the Same Way Again915janetg, County Durham, United Kingdom My husband and I visited the Kielder Observatory in May, 2019 after being gifted the visit from our son and his girlfriend after they’d enjoyed a recent visit there. The presentations by the Astro Physicists are fascinating and the samples and displays are amazing. There were a number of children present also who enjoyed it. The whole evening, which lasts approximately three hours is very well organised with refreshments served. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole evening and I will never look at the stars in the same way again! Well done Kielder Observatory and thank you. |
28/05/2019 | Aurora nightScottfamily456, Goole, United Kingdom The night we booked in early May was unfortunateley cloudy so no telescope time.The time passed so quickly though with three presentations from the young Astro phycisists with some interesting material to look at touch and listen to.Very informative and thought provoking.One thing to remember is you will need a torch as this is designated dark sky you cannot see two feet in front of you in the dark. |
 24/05/2019 | Travelled 300 miles for nothingMatthew C, Poole, United Kingdom Came up from Dorset for a few days and kept an evening free to book some time in a place with no light pollution and to take my first steps in learning about the night sky! After booking a night where a forecast promised clear skies, paid for tickets and look forward to the experience. Sadly the event was cancelled, I was notified by standard text that did not offer suggest another data and had no links to automatically claim a refund. I was forced to claim a refund by email and then later I got an email suggesting I join an event that day. I am sure it is a great place with great people but the customer service is awful and after travelling so far and with limited time I am left feeling utterly cheated! Go for sure but be aware your booking can be cancelled, nothing is guaranteed |
24/05/2019 | Husband’s delightPammuchan1, Stokenchurch, United Kingdom Amazing night out, take warm Clothes plenty of when in May. Friendly knowledge team, excellent equipment to use. I saw Jupiter !! |
