Industry News

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.

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. Afterthe 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.”