Discover Northumberland’s Dark Skies
Officially the most pristine skies in England, on a clear night in Northumberland you can see thousands of stars, the milky way and even the Andromeda Galaxy, a mind-blowing 2.5 million lightyears away. Kielder observatory astronomer Dan Monk reveals Northumberland’s best dark sky discovery sites.
Northumberland has become a thriving location for stargazing in recent years. Its vast open swathes of countryside and very little light pollution, offer some of the clearest views of the night sky in the United Kingdom. In this article, Dan Monk shares five of the best locations in Northumberland from which to explore the wonders of our universe.
1. Cawfields Quarry
Cawfields Quarry is a tranquil spot on Hadrian’s Wall located on the southern tip of the dark sky park. The sky is dark enough to have good views of the Milky Way and has plenty of space to set up astronomical equipment. The southern and south eastern horizons are affected by the glow of artificial light from Haltwhistle and Hexham, but this is not much of an issue. The site is easy to access - a 5-minute walk from a pay and display car park leads you to a well preserved stretch of Hadrian’s Wall, which makes an interesting foreground for astrophotography.
2. Elf Kirk Viewpoint
A scenic location, over 220-metres high, overlooking Kielder Reservoir. Elf Kirk is situated within Kielder Water & Forest Park which is one of the darkest parts of the Northumberland dark sky park.
The sky is dark enough for stunning views of the Milky Way and the zodiacal light; a cone-shaped scattering of light that can be observed after dusk or before dawn. At the top of the viewpoint, there is minimal obstruction on the horizon allowing full sight of the entire sky.
3. Holy Island
The Holy Island of Lindisfarne does not fall within the official boundary of the dark sky park, but it is still up there with some of the best locations to stargaze in the region. Looking out to sea in the north and east, the darkness of the sky is superb. The island is also a great location to spot the Northern Lights, with an unobstructed northern horizon. Historic places of interest, such as Lindisfarne Castle, make Holy island an incredible location for landscape and astrophotographers alike. Be sure to check the safe crossing times before setting off on your stargazing mission!
4. Dunstanburgh Castle
1-mile north of the small fishing village of Craster sits the ruins of the 14th Century Dunstanburgh Castle. The shattered remains make for an eerie subject for astrophotographers. This location has low horizons in every direction, meaning you can see the majority of the night sky. Like Holy Island, Dunstanburgh is also a good place for spotting the Northern Lights. If active, photographers can capture the aurora dancing behind the ruins standing on the south side. It’s best to approach the castle from the south by parking in Craster.
5. Simonside Hills
Simonside Hills are a range of hills near Rothbury that fall within the eastern edge of the dark sky park. In general, high altitude locations are the best places to stargaze because the atmosphere thins as you climb higher. The highest point in the Simonside Hills is Tosson Hill at 440-metres and the darkness of the sky from this height is striking. A 1km walk from the free forestry commission car park will get you away from the trees and into the wide open spaces which are perfect for viewing the night sky. It is best to walk to your stargazing location during daylight hours and wait for the sky to get dark once you are there. A head torch and warm clothing will help for the journey back.
