Embark on a cosmic journey and explore the wonders of the night sky with a visit to Kielder Observatory.
Films and popular culture have always made me think of observatories as futuristic, white dome-shaped structures, but Kielder Observatory is an inconspicuous, all-timber construction more akin to a wooden pier.
The building, which has received numerous nods from the architecture world, is situated in the depths of Kielder Forest, which spans 250 square miles. It’s entirely off-grid and self-powered by a wind turbine and photo-voltaic panels.
The observatory’s location is no accident; it’s positioned in a dark sky zone known as Northumberland International Dark Sky Park – the third largest protected dark sky reserve in the world.
Put simply, this remote location has very little light pollution and there’s a commitment to conserving the pristine dark skies above.
It’s estimated that 85% of the UK population has never seen a truly dark sky, but with Kielder Observatory on our doorstep, we have the perfect opportunity to look up and see more stars than ever before!
Events that are out of this world
Astro tourism is bigger than ever, and combined with the observatory’s outreach work with schools across our region, it hosts around 40 events every month.
Origins of the universe, the secret lives of stars, and our celestial neighbourhood are just a few highlights from its jam-packed calendar.
I went to one of its aurora nights in May, where we learned about this spectacular phenomenon. We picked up tips on the best places to spot the northern lights and how to capture these swirling rivers of colour using our humble phones. This has definitely come in useful, with the aurora vividly on display across the North East and even from my back garden in recent months!
As you would expect, the events kick-off in the evening so that you can take full advantage of the night sky.
You need to book your place in advance via the observatory’s website, with tickets priced around the £30 mark. This also includes a hot drink.
A telescopic journey
Each event includes a tour of the observatory and a chance to see their telescopes up close.
If the skies are clear, you’ll stargaze and view deep sky objects such as nebulae and galaxies.
However, if your visit is plagued by cloud cover (which sadly happened on my visit) you can still expect to learn all about these powerful telescopes and peer through their eyepieces.
The Milky Way and shooting stars can also be seen with the naked eye from the outdoor viewing deck, but I also missed out on this due to the poor weather conditions. If anything, this just makes me want to go back and try my luck again next time! (It’s worth mentioning that these events still go ahead when low visibility is forecast.)
Space rocks up close
If stargazing isn’t possible, the observatory’s team of experts and volunteers will ensure your three-hour visit is still filled with the most fascinating facts and starry-eyed insights.
This includes a short session on space rocks, with real fragments available to touch and observe under a microscope. Some of these objects are billions of years old. Mind. Truly. Blown.
You can even ‘walk on Mars’, with a small piece of Martian rock carefully preserved inside a frame that you can step on.
A top attraction for would-be astronomers
Whether you’re a budding astronomer or simply curious about the wonders of space, you’re bound to find something that piques your interest from Kielder Observatory’s intriguing year-round programme.
Despite not seeing any stars, I still really enjoyed my visit and learnt so many new things, including how to navigate the night sky and identify key constellations.
You really do leave Kielder feeling a new sense of awe at the sheer magnificence and scale of our universe – and all the questions us humans still don’t know the answers to!
In the UK, we’ve witnessed lots of astronomical sights this year. And with high solar activity set to peak in 2025 – promising more mesmerising, dancing displays of the aurora borealis – there’s never been a better time to get acquainted with the dark skies above our beautiful corner of the world.
Other things to know when planning your visit
- You must be booked onto an event to visit the observatory; it’s not open at set hours like other visitor attractions
- Give yourself plenty of time to get there – once you leave the main road and make your way along the two-mile access track, there’s a 15mph speed limit and it’s also very uneven and unlit, so it will take longer than you think.
- Wrap up warm as the temperatures can drop very low, and make sure you also wear decent footwear.
- Bring a torch – red light is preferred as it helps to preserve your night vision.
- There’s a ‘tuck shop’ selection of treats, but no cafe.
- Branded merch is available from the small gift shop – this helps support the observatory, as it operates as a charity (I bought a little fridge magnet!)
- A unisex composting toilet is on site – be careful not to drop anything down it! And there’s no running water, just hand sanitiser.
For more information about what’s on at Kielder Observatory, visit kielderobservatory.org.
