The programme has been launched for this year’s celebration of the dark skies of the North
Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark.
The tenth North Pennines Stargazing Festival will run from Friday 23 October to Sunday 1
November 2026, with a range of fun and informative events throughout the autumn half-term
holiday. The full programme is available at www.NorthPenninesStarFest.org
There is a packed programme of almost 30 activities, with events for more experienced
stargazers alongside those aimed at children and families. Activities include dark sky astronomy
and stargazing nights at Grassholme Observatory, stargazing suppers (and family stargazing) at
High Force and the Lord Crewe Hotel, a guided dark skies run, and a stargazing train on the
Weardale Railway.
Star camp makes a welcome return to the programme, after taking a rest last year. The camp is
hosted by Doe Park Caravan Site, near Cotherstone in Teesdale, and is run by experienced
astronomers Richard Darn and Neill Sanders from Go Stargazing. Between Friday 23 October
and Sunday 25 October, star camp is perfect for novice astronomers and is great for adults and
children (6+ years). Expect astronomy talks, stargazing (telescopes provided), solar observing,
bottle rocket competition, and mulled wine/hot chocolate.
If you have ever wanted to capture the wonders of the night sky but do not know where to start,
then the introduction to astrophotography workshop with Martin Kitching from Northern
Experience Wildlife Tours is the event to book. It is on Tuesday 20 October at Carrshield Village
Hall in the West Allen Valley, Northumberland where the beauty of the North Pennines dark
skies can be experienced.
There are lots of events planned at Grassholme Observatory in Baldersdale, Co. Durham with
dark sky astronomy and stargazing, Milky Way and aurora nights, discover Saturn – Lord of the
Rings and family astronomy sessions.
On Thursday 22 October head to the Langdon Beck Hotel in Teesdale to discover why space
travel is hard with local astronomer, and festival regular, Andy Gray. Weather permitting we will
do some live stargazing after Andy’s talk.
Discover the freedom of trail running at night on Wednesday 21 October, 7pm to 9.30pm, as we
follow the route of the High Force and Bowlees Geotrail, led by experienced runners. After
soaking up the atmosphere of this magical place under the cover of darkness, we will return to
Bowlees Visitor Centre for tea and cake.
Throughout the two weeks families will be able to follow the self-guided creatures of the night
trail for an exciting journey in the grounds of Bowlees Visitor Centre, Teesdale. As you follow the
trail you will pick up clues in the form of letters – spell out the hidden word and receive a starry
prize.
Discover the creatures of the night on a guided, family-friendly, night walk from Bowlees Visitor
Centre on Tuesday 27 October. We will be exploring the fascinating lives of moths, bats, owls
and other nocturnal mammals on this family event, aimed at children between 6 and 16.
The North Pennines National Landscape team will be sharing astronomy tips and blogs on social
