A popular BBC actor and television presenter launched a new experience at a Northumberland pub this weekend.
Grantchester and Soldier Soldier star, Robson Green, officially launched Kielder Observatory’s new observatory experience at Twice Brewed Inn, near Hadrian's Wall, unveiling a telescope named after him.
Guests from across the region gathered on Sunday, May 31, to celebrate the opening of the new experience, which combines a planetarium, observatory and state-of-the-art telescopes, including 'Robson's Reflector' beneath some of the darkest skies in Europe.
The launch marks another milestone for Kielder Observatory, which has welcomed more than 250,000 visitors to Northumberland and has become one of the North East’s most distinctive visitor attractions.
The new Twice Brewed Inn observatory means Kielder Observatory now operates the only two dedicated observatory experiences within Northumberland’s International Dark Sky Park.
Northumberland’s dark skies are increasingly drawing visitors from across the UK and beyond, with National Geographic recently naming a Northumberland stargazing experience at Kielder Observatory among the world’s top travel adventures for 2026.
Robson Green said: "There’s something incredibly special about the skies in Northumberland.
"They make you stop, reflect, and feel connected to something much bigger than yourself.
"Places like Kielder Observatory at Twice Brewed Inn help people experience that wonder first-hand, while also shining a light on this incredible part of the country.
"I'm delighted to be part of the launch and thrilled to have a telescope named after me."
Leigh Venus, CEO of Kielder Observatory, said: "Kielder Observatory has always been about creating moments of inspiration, wonder, and reflection through the night sky, while making astronomy accessible to everyone.
"This new location allows us to reach even more people – from families and tourists to schools and communities who may never otherwise have the opportunity to engage with astronomy in this way – and create a different kind of experience combining our incredible team with the food, drink, and warm welcome of Twice Brewed Inn right next door.
"Northumberland’s dark skies are one of the region’s greatest natural assets and we’re incredibly proud to continue building experiences that support tourism, education, and inspiration."
Kielder Observatory began delivering events at the Twice Brewed Inn in September 2025.
Since then, the site has been transformed with a dedicated building and new telescopes.
The space now offers visitors a full observatory experience just steps from the Hadrian’s Wall walking route.
Kielder Observatory is a registered charity.
Income supports education, outreach, and community programmes that bring astronomy to schools, families, and underserved communities across the North East and beyond.
The charity’s work also raises awareness about light pollution and promotes science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) education.
Events at the new observatory run several times each week and are open to the public.
Visitors can enjoy an evening of stargazing, guided telescope viewing, and immersive presentations under some of Europe's darkest skies.
For more information and to book, visit https://kielderobservatory.org/the-observatory/twice-brewed-inn
Share