- Play Hard
- 20th Oct 2026
- 0
- 0 minute
10 stargazing events in the North East – suppers, stays and spooky nights’
As the clocks go back and the nights draw in, the North East becomes one of the top places in the country to look up.
The region is home to some of the darkest skies in England, from the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park to the North Pennines, where the lack of light pollution means the Milky Way, meteor showers and even the occasional glimpse of the Northern Lights are all on the cards.
Autumn and winter are prime stargazing season, with long, dark evenings and crisp, clear nights made for spotting constellations and the odd shooting star. Whether you fancy a guided night at an observatory, a stargazing supper or a frost-nipped walk under the stars, we’ve rounded up the best stargazing events across the North East.
Northumberland Dark Skies: The Sky is Full of Ghosts
Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre, Low Hauxley, Amble, Northumberland NE65 0JR
When: Saturday 24th October 2026
Price: £12
Astronomy group NASTRO brings its far-out, immersive stargazing experience to life with a suitably spooky, Halloween-season theme. It’s a night of exploring the wonders overhead, with enthusiastic expert guides helping you make sense of what you’re seeing. Wrap up warm and settle in for an atmospheric evening timed perfectly for the spooky season. Ages 14 and over.
Stargazing Experience at The Tempus
The Tempus, Charlton Hall Estate, Chathill, Northumberland NE67 5DZ
When: Thursday 29th October, Sunday 8th November 2026 and various 2027 dates
Price: £295 (price based on two people sharing)
If you fancy making a proper night of it, The Tempus has teamed up with Kielder Observatory for an overnight stargazing package for two. Check in for a luxurious stay, dine in The Tempus Orangery as the sun sets, then step outside for a guided stargazing talk led by the Kielder Observatory experts. Afterwards, retreat to your room and round the whole thing off with a hearty breakfast the next morning.
Spooky Star Gazing
Locomotion, Dale Road, Shildon, County Durham DL4 2RE
When: Saturday 31st October 2026
Price: Free
For a family-friendly, budget-friendly night, Locomotion teams up with Bishop Auckland Astronomical Society for stargazing with a Halloween twist, spooky or space-themed fancy dress is encouraged. Inside, learn the basics of astronomy, get hands-on with light-and-space activities, bring your own telescope for setup help, and explore the museum’s collection of rail vehicles. Weather permitting, the team heads outside with high-powered telescopes to pick out deep-sky objects.
Stargazing at Lord Crewe Arms
Lord Crewe Arms, Blanchland, Northumberland DH8 9SP
When: Saturday 31st October 2026
Price: £50
Are we alone in the universe? That’s the big question at the heart of this stargazing evening at the historic Lord Crewe Arms, in the gorgeous dark-sky village of Blanchland. Expert-led and set against the backdrop of a centuries-old inn, it pairs a proper look at the night sky with the comforts of a restaurant and bar, a cosy, characterful way to spend a dark autumn night.
Stargazing Supper at High Force Hotel and Waterfall
Alston Road, Forest-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle, County Durham DL12 0XH
When: Friday 6th and 13th November, every Friday and Saturday in December (minus 25th and 26th) and various 2027 dates
Price: £79.50 (£65 Raby Members)
For stargazing with a side of fine dining, this immersive evening is hard to beat. Set in the North Pennines National Landscape, under some of the clearest skies in England, it begins with a three-course meal in the elegant Garden Room and an expert talk on the night sky. As darkness falls, an astronomy guide leads you down to the illuminated waterfall to witness the power of nature by moonlight and pick out constellations and celestial wonders, with the history of Teesdale woven in.
Stargazing in the Garden
Lord Crewe Arms, Blanchland, Northumberland DH8 9SP
When: Friday 13th and 27th November, 11th December 2026 and various 2027 dates
Price: £50
The Lord Crewe Arms is running a Friday night stargazing series in its historic Gatehouse, led by astronomer Andy Gray. Set in dark-sky Blanchland, it’s an intimate evening of constellations, stories and science, with the inn’s bar and restaurant to hand and nights running right through winter into spring. Warm, welcoming and ideal whatever your level of knowledge.
Northumberland Dark Skies: Where Are the Aliens?
Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre, Low Huxley, Amble, Northumberland NE65 0JR
When: Saturday 21st November 2026
Price: £12
NASTRO returns with a second immersive stargazing night, with a playful “where are the aliens?” theme to reel you in. It’s an evening exploring the night sky and the big questions it raises, led by expert guides, with parking, toilets and a picnic area on site. Ages 14 and over.
Christmas Under the Stars
Grassholme Observatory, Middleton-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle, County Durham DL12 0PW
When: Friday 18th, Saturday 19th, Sunday 27th and Wednesday 30th December 2026
Price: £27 adult, £24 under 16s, over 65s and blue badge holders
Escape the festive hustle and bustle with a magical evening of astronomy at Grassholme Observatory, wrapped in the peace of the Teesdale countryside. Journey through the winter night sky to find sparkling seasonal constellations and, weather permitting, observe breathtaking objects through the observatory’s powerful telescopes. Inside the immersive classroom, you’ll hear the stories behind the stars and handle genuine meteorites.
STARGAZING VENUES TO KNOW ABOUT
Kielder Observatory
Black Fell, Kielder, Hexham, Northumberland NE48 1HD
No stargazing round-up in the North East would be complete without mentioning Kielder Observatory. Sitting deep in the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, it’s home to the largest area of protected night sky in England. Its professional astronomers run a packed programme most nights of the year, from beginner-friendly family sessions and aurora nights to astrophotography workshops and seasonal specials, all with powerful telescopes, expert guidance and a famous mug of hot chocolate to keep the chill off.
The Twice Brewed Inn
Bardon Mill, Hexham, Northumberland NE47 7AN
Right on Hadrian’s Wall in the heart of the Northumberland dark-sky park, The Twice Brewed Inn hosts stargazing sessions run by the Kielder Observatory team. You’ll start with an astronomical presentation in the lecture theatre, then head outside for a laser-guided tour of the constellations and a look through large telescopes at planets, galaxies, nebulae and star clusters. Cloudy night? There’s a planetarium on site for an immersive experience undercover, so you’re never left out in the cold.
Molly Ferry
CONTENT ASSISTANT
Subscribe
Subscribe now to receive our twice-weekly emails and exclusive offers for High Life North readers.