Event Information

During most sessions, we prioritise stargazing whenever conditions allow. Our astronomers keep a close watch on the sky throughout the session and will make the most of any opportunities to observe.

The night sky changes throughout the year, so what you can see will depend on the season and conditions. When the skies are clear, our telescopes can reveal star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, planets and other objects, while our viewing areas offer the chance to see naked-eye sights such as the Milky Way and, if you’re lucky, a shooting star.

Cloudy skies don’t mean there is nothing to experience. When observing isn’t possible, our astronomers will keep the session engaging with tours, demonstrations and accessible talks exploring subjects such as meteorites, cosmology and exoplanets.

On particularly clear nights, and where circumstances allow, we may occasionally keep the telescopes open beyond the scheduled end of the session for guests who would like to stay and continue observing with our astronomy team.

As with all astronomy, we cannot guarantee clear skies or that any particular object will be visible during your visit.

You are welcome to take photos and videos during your visit, and we love seeing guests share their Kielder Observatory experience. Please be considerate of other visitors and follow any guidance from our astronomy team, particularly around the use of screens, flashes or lights while observing.

Our team may also take photos, videos and time-lapse footage during sessions for use on our website, social media and other Kielder Observatory communications. Where appropriate, we will let guests know when filming or photography is taking place.

We also use secure cameras at our observing locations to monitor weather and site conditions. Access to this footage is restricted to authorised members of our team.

Groups are very welcome at our public astronomy sessions. You can book up to 12 tickets in a single online order. If your group is larger than this, please get in touch and we can help find the best option for your visit.

For bookings of more than six tickets, our cancellation terms require at least 14 days’ notice. Please check our full booking terms before purchasing.

If you would prefer an experience exclusively for your group, we also offer private astronomy sessions for organisations, celebrations, clubs and other groups. Find out more on our Private Bookings page.

Kielder Observatory has two unisex toilets, one of which is wheelchair accessible. The Observatory is off-grid and has no mains running water, so hand sanitiser is provided for hand cleaning. Our toilets use an environmentally sensitive system, so please do not put anything down them other than toilet paper.

At Twice Brewed Inn, guests have access to toilets including an accessible toilet, with hot running water and handwashing facilities.

Our astronomy sessions go ahead in most weather conditions. Cloud, rain or poor visibility do not normally result in cancellation.

The exception is severe weather or other conditions that make travelling to, accessing or operating at one of our observing locations unsafe. We monitor weather forecasts, road conditions and local updates closely and will cancel a session if we believe it is unsafe to proceed.

When the sky is clear, we will make the most of every opportunity to observe through our telescopes. If conditions prevent observing, our astronomy team will adapt the session with additional talks, demonstrations and activities designed to bring astronomy to life and give you plenty of opportunity to ask questions.

If we have to cancel your session, we will contact you using the details provided when you booked and offer you the choice of a full refund or a voucher to rebook. Please make sure your contact details are correct and that you can receive updates on the day of your visit.

Because our locations are rural and conditions can change quickly, we strongly recommend checking the weather forecast and local travel conditions before setting off.

You can cancel your booking for a transfer voucher up to 7 days before the date of your event, full details available here: https://kielderobservatory.org/contact/terms.

All of our astronomy sessions are ticketed and must be booked in advance through our Kielder Observatory online calendar or the Twice Brewed Inn booking page. Tickets are only available through these official booking pages and cannot be purchased on the door.

Once your booking is complete, you will receive a confirmation email with your tickets attached as a PDF. If you do not receive it, please check your spam or junk folder before contacting our office to confirm your booking.

Please check the date, time and location of your session carefully, as tickets are valid only for the session booked.

There is no need to print your tickets. You can show them on your phone when you arrive, but please download them before travelling as mobile signal can be very limited around our observing locations.

Warm clothing and suitable footwear – Even when the weather feels mild elsewhere, temperatures can drop quickly at our observing locations, particularly when you are standing outside for extended periods. Bring more layers than you think you will need, along with warm, practical footwear. Please do not underestimate how cold it can feel at night.

A torch – A red-light torch is ideal for preserving your night vision, but a normal torch or phone light is fine for getting safely from the car park to your session. Please keep white lights pointed towards the ground and follow guidance from our astronomy team once observing begins.

Your ticket – There is no need to print it. Download it to your phone before travelling, as mobile signal can be limited around our observing locations. If you cannot access your ticket when you arrive, our team can usually locate your booking using the lead booker’s details.

Refreshments – Facilities vary depending on where your session takes place. At Kielder Observatory, we serve a hot drink during our main evening and late-night sessions and our shop sells snacks, chocolate and Kielder Observatory merchandise. Twice Brewed Inn also serves food and drink. If you would like to eat before or after your session, we recommend booking a table in advance. You can find details here.

Insect repellent in summer – Midges can be common around Kielder between roughly May and September, depending on conditions. We have insect repellent available at Kielder Observatory, but you may prefer to bring your own.

An open mind – No two nights under the Northumberland skies are quite the same. Come ready to ask questions, explore and see where the night takes you.

Please arrive around 15 minutes before the scheduled start time of your session and check your booking confirmation carefully for the correct location and arrival instructions.

For sessions at Kielder Observatory, please drive to the top car park next to the Observatory and wait in your vehicle until a member of our team welcomes you and directs you to the building.

Allow plenty of time for your journey. The roads around Kielder are rural and the final two-mile access track to the Observatory has a 15mph speed limit. The track normally opens around 30 minutes before the start of your session. If the bottom gate is still closed when you arrive, please wait in the lower car park until a member of our team opens it. At busy changeover times, staff may be managing traffic on the track, so please follow their directions.

For sessions at Twice Brewed Inn, please follow the arrival and parking instructions provided with your booking.

We recommend checking the weather and any road closures affecting your route before setting off.

We want everyone to feel welcome and able to enjoy their visit. Accessibility varies between our observing locations, so please check the information for the location shown on your booking.

At Kielder Observatory, the site is level or ramped throughout, with two fully accessible telescope rooms. Our Sir Pat 16-inch telescope is mounted at a height suitable for wheelchair users. One observing turret is accessed by six steps, but our other observing areas are accessible. A wheelchair-accessible toilet is also available.

The main car park is around 80 metres from the Observatory building across an unsealed surface. Guests who would find this difficult can be dropped off at the entrance, and drivers with access needs can park beside the Observatory. Please contact us in advance so we can make the necessary arrangements.

You can explore Kielder Observatory before your visit using our 360° Virtual Tour.

Kielder Observatory has been independently assessed by AccessAble. You can view their Detailed Access Guide to Kielder Observatory for more information about the site and its facilities.

Twice Brewed Inn has also been independently assessed by AccessAble. You can view their Detailed Access Guide to Twice Brewed Inn for more information about the site and its facilities.

For sessions at Twice Brewed Inn, accessible parking, step-free access and an accessible toilet are available. If you have specific access requirements or would like to discuss your visit before booking, please contact us and we will be happy to help.

At Kielder Observatory, smoking is only permitted in the designated area in the car park. Please use the cigarette disposal bin provided and do not discard cigarette ends anywhere on site.

Kielder is a working forest, so fire safety is particularly important.

At Twice Brewed Inn, please follow the venue’s designated smoking arrangements.

Concession tickets are available for:

• Disabled visitors
• Children under 16

Children under two can attend free of charge if they remain in arms or in a sling and do not require their own space. If you are bringing a child in a pram or pushchair, please book a concession ticket for them as space at our observing locations is limited.

We may ask for reasonable proof of eligibility for a disabled concession ticket. This could include a PIP, DLA or Attendance Allowance award letter, Blue Badge, Access Card, Certificate of Vision Impairment or other recognised evidence of disability. We recognise that not all disabilities are visible and not everyone will hold one of these documents, so please contact us before your visit if you are unsure what evidence to provide.

If you have booked a concession ticket but cannot provide evidence of eligibility when requested, you may be asked to pay the difference to the standard ticket price before admission. If the difference is not paid, we reserve the right to refuse admission.

Please bear in mind that some parts of our sessions can last up to an hour between breaks.

Baby-changing facilities vary by location. Kielder Observatory does not currently have a dedicated baby-change facility, while parent and baby changing facilities are available at Twice Brewed Inn within the adapted toilet facilities.

Kielder Observatory sits in a remarkable natural environment within Kielder Forest and the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, and we take our responsibility to protect it seriously.

We work to minimise our environmental impact through responsible use of energy and resources, reducing and recycling waste, environmentally responsible purchasing and careful management of our sites. We also work to protect the dark skies that make this area so special by promoting responsible lighting and raising awareness of light pollution.

We ask our visitors to help us by taking litter home, respecting the surrounding forest and wildlife, and following any guidance from our team during their visit.

Kielder Observatory is committed to continually reviewing and improving its environmental performance. We also maintain an Environmental Policy, which is regularly reviewed to ensure our approach reflects our current activities and responsibilities.

For sessions at Kielder Observatory, access is via a two-mile single-track forest road with a compacted stone surface. It can be uneven in places, so please drive carefully and observe the 15mph speed limit. The track is suitable for normal cars as well as larger vehicles, including motorhomes and coaches.

We manage traffic on the track around session times. Please follow any directions from our team and, if you meet a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction, use the passing places carefully to allow each other through.

The access track is only open to vehicles attending scheduled sessions and is locked outside Observatory operating times. We cannot accommodate drop-in visitors. Pedestrians and cyclists can use the track during the day.

Free parking for guests is available at the top of the track, around 80 metres from the Observatory buildings. Motorhomes are welcome to park here while attending a session, but overnight parking is not permitted in the Observatory car park and the access track is locked after sessions finish.

If you are travelling by motorhome and wish to stay overnight, Forestry England permits overnight motorhome parking at nearby Skyspace and Kielder Castle car parks. Charges apply, so please check the latest Forestry England information before travelling.

For sessions at Twice Brewed Inn, please use the Inn’s car park and follow the parking information provided with your booking.

Our booking calendars show live availability. Astronomy sessions can be very popular, particularly at weekends, during school holidays and for special sessions, so we recommend booking early where possible.

Because capacity at our observing locations is limited, we are usually unable to add extra places once a session has sold out.

We do not operate waiting lists. If tickets become available following a cancellation, they are released back onto the relevant booking page and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If the session you want is sold out, it is worth checking the booking page again from time to time.

Our Main Evening and Weekend Late Night sessions are generally best suited to ages 12 and over due to their later finish times and the scientific content covered.

For younger visitors, Young Explorers is designed for families with children under 12, while Space Kids is aimed particularly at children aged 6–10 and includes more interactive, hands-on activities. We do not currently run sessions specifically designed for children under 6.

These are recommendations rather than strict age restrictions, and we leave the final decision to parents and carers, who know their children best. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Everyone attending requires a ticket, with one exception: babies under two who remain in arms or in a sling do not need one. If you are bringing a buggy, please book a ticket for the child as space at our observing locations is limited.

Assistance dogs are welcome at Kielder Observatory and our other observing locations. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate other dogs or pets during our sessions.

Guests may leave pets in their vehicle and return to check on them during the session, but they remain responsible for the animal’s welfare at all times and should only do so where conditions are safe.

If you are bringing an assistance dog and have any questions about access or the environment at the observing location, please contact us before your visit.

There is no accommodation at Kielder Observatory itself, but accommodation is available at the Twice Brewed Inn, where some of our astronomy sessions also take place. Rooms can be booked directly through the Twice Brewed Inn website.

There are also a range of places to stay around Kielder and the wider area. You can find a selection on our Places to Stay page.

If you are planning to drive home after your session, please bear in mind the late finish time and the rural roads around our observing locations.

Kielder Observatory is normally closed during the day and there are no visitor facilities available. However, the access track is a popular walking and cycling route, and visitors arriving on foot or by bike are welcome to enjoy the viewing decks, architecture and views across the valley.

Please take all rubbish away with you, as there are no bins on site, and please leave the Observatory before guests begin arriving for scheduled astronomy sessions, when the outdoor areas are needed for observing.

Near the top of the track you will also find Kielder Skyspace, an open-air artwork which is particularly atmospheric around dawn and dusk.

If you are walking or cycling in low light or after dark, please use suitable lights and high-visibility clothing. The access track is also used by vehicles travelling to and from the Observatory, particularly around session start and finish times.

Our shops at Kielder Observatory and Twice Brewed Inn are great places to pick up a souvenir of your visit, with a range of Kielder Observatory merchandise, astronomy-themed gifts and our popular astronomically themed chocolate bars. The range varies between locations, so you may find different items depending on where your session takes place.

Every purchase directly supports Kielder Observatory as a charity, helping us continue to inspire people through astronomy, education and our dark skies. If you would like to take a little piece of Kielder Observatory home with you, or find a gift for a fellow stargazer, please take a look during your visit.

We accept card and cash payments at Kielder Observatory. Our shop at Twice Brewed Inn is card only. Please note that there is no café or food service at Kielder Observatory itself. Our gift vouchers can only be redeemed online and cannot be used in our onsite shops.

If you have a question that isn’t answered here, our team will be happy to help.

Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the office on 0191 265 5510 during normal office hours.