Kielder Observatory is now at Twice Brewed Inn too!
Alongside our regular Observatory events, we’re bringing our unique experiences to one of Northumberland’s most iconic inns. Click below to explore upcoming events and secure your place with our expert team for an unforgettable night of discovery.
Kielder Observatory is one of the most remarkable places to visit in the whole of the UK, a public astronomical observatory which is second to none. Here you'll find "infinite inspiration" and wonders you could never have imagined under some of the darkest skies in the world.
Your donations ensure we can reach more through astronomy, providing infinite inspiration to everyone. Please support our work if you can.
Discover the Stars. Create Memories.
Kielder Observatory is one of the most inspiring places to visit in the UK—a public astronomical observatory and educational charity where unforgettable memories are made beneath the stars.
Experience wonders beyond imagination against the awe-inspiring backdrop of Europe’s largest Gold-Tier International Dark Sky Park. Whether you’re a first-time stargazer or a seasoned astronomer, our dedicated team promises moments that last a lifetime.
Last Minute Events
Looking to visit as soon as possible? Check out our events with last minute availability below.
This event is held during the darkest hours of the night, offering the best opportunity for stargazing under clear skies. Our expert and passionate astronomers will guide you on a journey of astronomical discovery. They’ll share their knowledge and stories of the universe, helping you connect with astronomy and make lasting memories.
You’ll enjoy a specialist talk, explore the observatory and its telescopes, and take part in hands-on activities with meteorites or experiments with light. You’ll have the chance to ask our astronomers anything you like, enjoy a hot drink (including our famous hot chocolate) and browse our gift shop for a keepsake of your visit.
Whenever possible throughout the night, you’ll observe the cosmos under some of the darkest skies in Europe through our powerful telescopes. Our astronomers will guide you to observe stars, constellations, planets, the Moon, and even distant galaxies. They’ll also share tips to help you continue your stargazing journey at home.
You can take away information and literature covering many of the topics explored during your visit, so the memories and learning last long after you leave.
As a Late Night Discoverer, you will also receive 10% off your purchase in our gift shop and a complimentary star map to continue your stargazing journey at home.
For additional event information please visit our FAQs. ...
Every off-world mission needs a rocket to get started, and in this event you’ll get to make your own! (without the highly combustible fuel)
This event is designed to inspire, enthuse, and educate young people, creating memories that last a lifetime!
Our team of expert astronomers will guide you on an unforgettable astronomical journey. They’ll deliver a short talk on the wonders of astronomy before guiding you around the observatory, where you’ll encounter our huge telescopes, space rocks, and much more.
Wherever possible, we’ll get you using our telescopes to explore the skies above. You might see things like stars, planets and the moon. In the summer months, we can even safely observe the sun!
There is always time for questions and our team love to be quizzed about all things space-related, so we encourage budding astronomers to ask as many questions as they like and discover as much as possible.
This event is recommended for children aged 6 to 12. All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, and everyone attending must have a ticket.
For additional event information please visit our FAQs. ...
The search for new worlds and extraterrestrial life has never been more active and thrilling. Every day brings us one step closer to answering the age-old question: are we alone? Join us to explore how far we’ve come and discover the latest breakthroughs in the search for life beyond Earth.
Throughout your visit, our expert and passionate astronomers will guide you on a journey of astronomical discovery. They’ll share their knowledge and stories of the universe, helping you connect with astronomy and make lasting memories.
You’ll enjoy a specialist talk, explore the observatory and its telescopes, and take part in hands-on activities with meteorites or experiments with light. You’ll have the chance to ask our astronomers anything you like, enjoy a hot drink (including our famous hot chocolate) and browse our gift shop for a keepsake of your visit.
Whenever possible throughout the night, you’ll observe the cosmos under some of the darkest skies in Europe through our powerful telescopes. Our astronomers will guide you to observe stars, constellations, planets, the Moon, and even distant galaxies. They’ll also share tips to help you continue your stargazing journey at home.
You can take away information and literature covering many of the topics explored during your visit, so the memories and learning last long after you leave.
For additional event information please visit our FAQs. ...
Tickets
From £42.00 per person
Next available event
Saturday 6th September
Reviews & Testimonials
Our reviews are out of this world...
Such a wonderful place. I went on my birthday for Late Night Discovery and had a great time. The team are so knowledgeable and enthusiastic. We viewed Saturn, Jupiter, a dying star, loads of constellations like the Seven Sisters and...
Kate Brennan
11 months ago
Attended the Late Night Discovery event. Didn’t really know what to expect; it was absolutely fantastic! The team are so passionate and enthusiastic about imparting their abundance of knowledge, it really is captivating!
Jason Grant
10 months ago
We had a walk up and were invited to tour the observatory. The staff are very passionate and very informative, we got to see sun spots through the telescope.
Bill Thorkildsen
10 months ago
Loved this experience. Drive up lane is interesting in dark but fine. Staff brilliant, make great hot chocolate. Was lucky we had clear skies after the previous few days.
Dawn Wright
8 months ago
Registered Charity No 1153570
Donate to Kielder Observatory
Kielder Observatory is a charity that exists to inspire, enthuse and educate the public about the wonders of the universe. Donating to us will help us reach more people and support their interest in astronomy. Your gift will help fund our work in schools, in the arts, our citizen science projects, getting out and about in the community and, of course, the work we do at the Observatory itself.
Latest News
Lots of exciting things are happening at Kielder Observatory, use this page to browse the latest stories.
The lunar eclipse on 21st January 2019 was an unforgettable sight. The whole observatory team stayed up until 6am to capture images of this amazing cosmic coincidence. A lunar eclipse is when the Earth is perfectly lined up in between the Sun and Moon. Earth’s shadow sweeps across the lunar surfaces causing the Moon to turn blood red....
This was taken on a moonlit night to keep the observatory illuminated, the image is created by stacking a number of shots taken over a long period of time. This was shot using a 14mm lens, with 25 second exposures for 30 minutes. We can see how the stars appear to trail around one central point, our North Star (Polaris), as the Earth spins on its axis and Polaris stays still in its position directly above the North Pole....
The clearest of skies allow for this amazing 'star trails' image, the rotating earth allows for these beautiful shapes and patterns to develop. Our eyes can never see the passage of time like this but the camera can....
£25.00
Looking for something a little different?
Workshops & Talks
Our workshops and talks are the perfect educational visit to broaden your knowledge!
Travel through the cosmos as we bring the wonder of the dark skies to you with our inflatable planetarium. Perfect for a group setting, our astronomers will guide you across the universe with these impressive shows...
From meteorites to space exploration, planets to satellites and everything in between, our astronomer-lead workshops are the perfect way to engage with science and astronomy for schools and community groups. With practical hand-on learning, guided by an expert astronomer there is no better way to get to grips with astronomy...
Kielder Observatory Podcast
The official monthly podcast from Kielder Observatory. If you've ever wondered what happens when you fall into a black hole, if intelligent life is watching us from other galaxies, or how the North East is at the forefront of the British Space programme, then you can find out more in this series!
Each month we also update you on the things to look out for in the night.