North Pennines stargazing festival programme launches

22 August 2025

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 ninth North Pennines Stargazing Festival will run from Wednesday 22 October to Sunday 2 November 2025, 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, stargazing at Alston Moor Observatory and a stargazing train on the Weardale Railway.

Three events over the first weekend of the festival at the Allenheads Observatory provide: a step-by-step guide to stargazing for beginners (Friday 24 October); guidance on how to ‘chase’ the Northern Lights (Saturday 25 October); and an opportunity for some dark sky stargazing (Sunday 26 October).

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 on. It is on Monday 27 October at Carrshield Village Hall in the West Allen Valley, Northumberland.

The family-friendly ‘Stars and songs’ event is running at Bowlees Farm, Upper Teesdale, on Tuesday 28 October (5pm to 9pm). Families will be able to celebrate the dark skies in the North Pennines with local astronomer from Go Stargazing – Neill Sanders. Gather around the warmth of the fire pit with local singer Tabby Michelin as she leads a celestial sing-along. Then toast marshmallows, fill up on hearty soup and enjoy creative arts and crafts inspired by creatures of the night.

On Thursday 30 October head to Croglin on the Cumbrian Eastern Fellside 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.

On Saturday 1 November the popular ‘pies and skies’ event is running at The Hive, Nenthead. This year Richard Darn is the guest speaker for this mash-up event, combining a pie and peas supper and a fascinating talk on dark skies in the North Pennines – and why everyone should love them.

Discover the freedom of trail running at night on Wednesday 29 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 week families will be able to follow the self-guided Moon 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.

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 ideas, advice, and things to look out for in the night sky, and to inspire stay-at-home stargazers. Keep an eye on the following hashtags: #NorthPennStarFest25 and #NPennDarkSkies

Shane Harris, Responsible Tourism Lead with the North Pennines National Landscape team, said: “The festival is now in its ninth 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 easier for people to celebrate the area’s fabulous starry skies.”

Discover the complete programme at www.NorthPenninesStarFest.org

Notes for editors

1. For further information, contact the North Pennines National Landscape communications team – communications@northpennines.org.uk / 01388 528801

2. Images are attached. For alternative images, please contact the communications team on communications@northpennines.org.uk

3. 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.

4. 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 https://www.national-landscapes.org.uk/ for information about the National Landscapes family.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.