Eighth North Pennines Stargazing Festival programme launches

12 September 2024

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 eighth North Pennines Stargazing Festival will run from 25 October to 3 November 2024, with a range of fun and informative events spread across half term. The full programme is available at www.NorthPenninesStarFest.org

There is a packed programme of activities for more experienced stargazers, alongside events aimed at children and families. Activities include dark sky astronomy and stargazing nights at Grassholme Observatory, stargazing suppers at High Force and the Lord Crewe Hotel, a star camp weekend, a guided dark skies run, and a stargazing train on the Weardale Railway.

There are family-friendly events on Monday 28 October, from 5pm to 9pm, with an evening of stars, stories and nature discoveries at Low Birk Hatt Farm, where Hannah Hauxwell lived; on Tuesday 29 October, from 4pm to 8pm, with stargazing at Weardale Railway including a train journey and light refreshments; and on Saturday 2 November, from 6pm to 7.30pm, with family astronomy at Grassholme Observatory.

The successful Star Camp returns to Doe Park Caravan Site for the first weekend (25 to 27 October) of the festival. The camp, led by Richard Darn and Neill Sanders (Go Stargazing) is perfect for novice astronomers and children (aged 6+ years). Alongside stargazing there will be themed talks, solar observing, and a bottle rocket competition.

Celebrate the dark skies of the North Pennines on Tuesday 29 October by making a paper lantern at a special workshop at Nenthead Mines. After the workshop, you’ll follow in the footsteps of miners past and process through the mine, using your lantern.

Discover the freedom of trail running at night on Wednesday 30 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 in front of the fire.

The North Pennines National Landscape team will be sharing astronomy tips and blogs on social media throughout the week to provide people with handy stargazing tips, advice, and things to look out for in the night sky, and to inspire stay-at-home stargazers.

Shane Harris, Responsible Tourism Lead with the North Pennines National Landscape team, said: “The festival is now in its eighth year, and it goes from strength to strength. We have a range of events across the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark, which we hope will appeal to local people and visitors. The North Pennines is the darkest mainland National Landscape and is one of the best places in the UK to enjoy stargazing. Our annual festival is designed to make it easy for people to celebrate the area’s fabulous starry skies.”

Discover the complete programme at www.NorthPenninesStarFest.org

Notes for editors

Contact the North Pennines National Landscape communications team for further information – communications@northpennines.org.uk  /  phone: 07920020648.

The North Pennines National Landscape is one of England’s most special places – a peaceful, unspoilt landscape with a rich history and vibrant natural beauty. It was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1988. The purpose of this nationally recognised designation is the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty of the area.

At almost 2,000 sq. kilometres the North Pennines is the second largest of the 46 National Landscapes (in England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and is one of the most peaceful and unspoilt places in England. Visit www.landscapesforlife.org.uk for information about the National Landscapes family.

The North Pennines lies between the National Parks of the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and Northumberland with the urban centres of County Durham away to the east. Parts of the National Landscape are within the boundaries of four local authorities; Cumberland Council, Durham County Council, Northumberland County Council, and Westmorland & Furness Council.

The North Pennines National Landscape Partnership is an alliance of public, statutory and voluntary sector bodies with an interest in the future of the North Pennines. The work of the Partnership is carried out by the National Landscape team which takes action to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area, to raise awareness of its special qualities and to improve the quality of life for local people.

UNESCO Global Geopark – As well as being a National Landscape, the North Pennines is a UNESCO Global Geopark. This puts the area’s Geopark status in the same UNESCO family as World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves. UNESCO Global Geoparks are places with outstanding geology where special effort is made to make the most of geological heritage to support community and economy. Locally this includes producing geo-trails, developing projects with school and community groups, producing displays for visitor attractions, and holding geology festivals and events.