Here is a brand new promotional video for Kielder Water & Forest Park, the most tranquil place in England. www.visitkielder.com for more up to date information.
Tag: Dark Skies
Kielder Dark Skies Marathon
On Saturday we were at the Kielder Dark Skies marathon. We enjoyed a little wind and rain, as did the 8 runners we warmed up in our vehicles.
We would like to thank the organisers and competitors for the substantial donations given to the Team during the event.
Kielder Past & Present
A glimpse of Kielder Forest and reservoir, showing the type of industry that was present in the valley before the dam and reservoir were constructed.
The History of Kielder Viaduct
The railway through Kielder in 1953, and the Bellingham Fair
Kielder 4×4 Safari Booking Dates For 2016
If you are interested in joining us on any of the dates below you can make a booking by clicking on the links below.
Sunday April 3rd 2016 Kielder 4×4 Safari
Saturday May 14th 2016 4×4 Safari
Sunday June 12th 2016 4×4 Safari
Saturday July 30th 2016 4×4 Safari
Sunday September 11th 2016 4×4 Safari
Saturday October 15th 2016 4×4 Safari
Saturday December 3rd 2016 4×4 Safari
The cost is £60 per vehicle and this includes a cooked breakfast* for the driver.
Dark Skies at Kielder Water & Forest Park
Deep in the heart of Northumberland you can experience a night sky which is out of this world

According to the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE), the star-studded skies above Kielder Water & Forest Park are the darkest in England.
Our skies are so truly dark, that together with Northumberland National Park and Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society, we have been awarded Gold Tier Dark Sky Park status by the International Dark Skies Association (IDA) in December 2013 – the highest accolade the IDA can give.
Our dark sky zone, known as Northumberland Dark Sky Park, is the largest area of protected night sky in Europe.
It is the first of its kind in England and one of the largest in the world, joining the likes of Death Valley and Big Bend Dark Sky Parks in the USA.
The IDA are the leading international organisation working to combat light pollution worldwide. Becoming a Dark Sky Park means that our night skies will be kept free from light pollution and we can create more opportunities for people to be inspired by the stars.
It is estimated that 85% of the UK population has never seen a truly dark sky or experienced the sense of wonder that a clear night filled with billions of stars can give!
Kielder Water & Forest Park is a fantastic place for star gazing and home to Kielder Observatory, as seen on Robson Green’s Tales from Northumberland.
Since the observatory opened in 2008 it has attracted nearly 30,000 people with its exciting programme of astronomical events throughout the year. See our events page for more information.
But you don’t just have to go to the observatory to see our star attractions!
Kielder campsite is filled twice a year by the Kielder Forest Star Camp which draws hundreds of observers from across the UK for five nights of stargazing. See the Kielder Observatory website for more information.
The best time for stargazing is during the autumn and winter months, when the nights draw in. Pack up your binoculars, a deckchair and a hot drink and sit back and enjoy a star-studded show. For more hints and tips on stargazing see our Northumberland Dark Sky Park leaflet.
It’s not just stargazers who benefit from the reduced light pollution, Kielder Water & Forest Park is abundant with a variety of wildlife. The dark skies can enhance the habitat for many of our woodland species such as birds, bats, moths and insects.
For more information on Northumberland Dark Sky Park, go to www.visitnorthumberland.com, www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk and www.kielderobservatory.org.
Evening/Night Event
We are looking at running an evening/night event which would maybe include stopping at the excellent Kielder Observatory or finding a high point and trying to see the Northern Lights. With its remote location the Kielder Forest and Water Park is the ideal place for star gazing as the area has very little light pollution.
In fact Kielder Water & Forest Park Development Trust and Northumberland National Park Authority are working together with the aim of securing dark sky status for nearly 400 square miles of spectacular Northumberland countryside in what would become the world’s third largest area of protected starry dark sky.
If this sounds like something you would like to take part in why not pop over to our Facebook Page and let us know if you are interested and we would welcome any comments or thoughts you may have.