Kielder Observatory

Kielder Water & Forest Park | Kielder | Northumberland | NE48 1ER

0191 2655510 | Send Email | Visit Website

All year round - a star gazing and astronomy heaven! Kielder Observatory is located in the heart of Northumberland International Dark Sky Park.

We have the largest expanse of dark night sky in the whole of Europe, thanks to minimal light pollution. Winter nights are darkest and best for viewing deep sky objects such as galaxies, while in summer you can view the beautiful Milky Way, passing comets, shooting stars and see the Sun's surface using our incredible telescope.

The Gillian Dickinson Astroimaging Academy is situated alongside the existing Kielder Observatory. The facility is dedicated to teaching, learning and research and features fully automated telescopes, a retractable roof and presentation room. As well as hosting educational and community events, its high tech research grade instruments and tracking mounts allow professional astronomers to spot distant planets around far away stars, conduct supernova searches and plot asteroids.

For more information about Northumberland International Dark Sky Park see our Dark Skies page.

Come here to:

Learn about the night sky and use the powerful telescopes.
Meet experienced astronomers and learn how to take stunning photographs of distant objects in the Universe.
Experience meteor showers (shooting stars) and other celestial events.

Book onto an event to enjoy the full Observatory experience and use the large telescopes supervised by astronomers from Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society (KOAS). Those wishing to enjoy the panoramic views from the Observatory during the day (when the facility is closed) can park in the car park for Skyspace and walk up the hill (50 minutes).

KOAS hosts events all year round from open days and interactive shows to observing nights and lectures. Go to the events page for info. Click here to book onto an event or pop into one of the main visitor centres onsite to ask when the next event is.

Kielder Observatory is also part of the art and architecture programme. Find out more about its striking design here.