Kielder Observatory

Top choice in Northeast England


For the best views of the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, attend a stargazing session at this state-of-the-art, 2008-built observatory. Its program spans night-time safari observing sessions to family events and astrophotography. Book well ahead for all events, which sell out quickly, and dress as you would for the ski slopes (it's seriously chilly here at night). At the signs towards Kielder Observatory and Skyspace, turn left; it's a 2-mile drive up the track.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Northeast England attractions

1. Hermitage Castle

7.2 MILES

The 'guardhouse of the bloodiest valley in Britain', Hermitage Castle embodies the brutal history of the Scottish Borders. Desolate but proud with its…

2. Heritage Hub

14.71 MILES

The Heritage Hub, formerly the corn exchange, is a handy facility for anyone wishing to trace Scottish heritage, or other local archives. If you can't…

3. Borders Textile Towerhouse

14.74 MILES

The historic Drumlanrig’s Tower is a solid stone mansion that was once a major seat of Douglas clan power in the Borders. It now holds the Borders Textile…

4. Heart of Hawick

14.74 MILES

Three buildings form the 'heart' of Hawick. A former mill holds a cafe and cinema. Opposite, historic Drumlanrig's Tower, once a major seat of the Douglas…

5. MacDiarmid Memorial

14.86 MILES

Amid stirring scenery a couple of miles from town on the Newcastleton road, this oxidised iron memorial to poet Hugh MacDiarmid looks like a portal to a…

6. Hawick Museum & Art Gallery

15.08 MILES

This museum has an interesting collection of mostly 19th-century manufacturing and domestic memorabilia as well as details on a tragic pair of local…

7. Birdoswald Roman Fort

16.75 MILES

The remains of this once-formidable fort (known as Banna to the Romans) are on an escarpment overlooking the beautiful Irthing Gorge along a minor road…

8. Jedburgh Castle Jail

16.89 MILES

Jedburgh Castle was a victim of Scotland's wars for independence but this smart 1820s prison was built on the site as part of a jail reform program. You…