The area is already the country’s number one Dark Sky spot and home to the Kielder Observatory, which this week announced that another state-of-the-art facility is to be built on the same site, thanks to two major grants.
More than £200,000 has been raised for the new observatory, boosted by grants of £89,700 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and £86,934 from the Rural Development Programme for England: LEADER programme.
Work is due to start within the next few weeks and the new observatory is expected to be open by this summer.
It will be built next to the existing award-winning observatory in Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, and will be the next step towards the observatory’s ambition of developing an astronomical village, which will be the first in the UK.
Plans for the new observatory are for a fully accessible, single-story building, housing a fully automated telescope with retractable roof, presentation room, kitchen and toilet facilities.
Also included are external observation deck areas.
Kielder Observatory, now in its ninth year, has established itself as the UK’s number one Dark Sky stargazing haven, with visitors from across the world flocking there to marvel at the magnificent views of the night sky.
Already welcoming more than 23,000 visitors per year, the new facilities expect to attract more educational groups from visiting schools, colleges and community groups.
Gary Fildes, founder director and lead astronomer of Kielder Observatory, said: “This new observatory will enable the science team to provide even more resources to the community who visit us.
“Our aim is to enthuse, educate and inspire all of our visitors and with the support of our partners across this wonderful region, we will continue to excel.”
Terry Carroll, chairman of the local action group of the LEADER programme, said: “We are delighted to have been able to support this latest project in the evolution of the Kielder Observatory.
“The observatory already makes a massive contribution to rural tourism locally, particularly in the difficult winter months and the new facilities will surely build on this.
“The expertise and dedication of the staff and volunteers in engaging with and inspiring visitors and educational groups is exemplary.”
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