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You are here > Home > Inspire Me > Short Break Ideas > Dark Skies > Events

Events

The North Pennines and Durham Dales has some of the darkest skies in the country, making the area ideal for stargazing. Throughout the year, especially during the darker autumn and winter seasons you'll find a stellar line-up of stargazing events and activities to enjoy. 

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  1. stars in sky by High Force Hotel

    Add Stargazing Suppers - High Force Hotel and Waterfall to your Itinerary

    Stargazing Suppers - High Force Hotel and Waterfall

    Type

    Type:

    Dark Skies

    Forest-in-Teesdale

    Discover the magnificence of the night sky with an exciting stargazing experience at the breath-taking High Force Waterfall in County Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    21 Oct 2025to22 Oct 2026
    From:
    24 Oct 2025
    From:
    20 Nov 2025
    From:
    2 Jan 2026to4 Jan 2026
    From:
    12 Feb 2026to15 Feb 2026
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    20 Feb 2026to21 Feb 2026
    From:
    27 Feb 2026to28 Feb 2026
    From:
    13 Mar 2026to14 Mar 2026
    From:
    19 Mar 2026to21 Mar 2026
    From:
    27 Mar 2026to28 Mar 2026
    More info for Stargazing Suppers - High Force Hotel and Waterfall
  2. The Milky Way above Grassholme Observatory

    Add Dark Sky Astronomy and Stargazing - North Pennines Stargazing Festival to your Itinerary

    Dark Sky Astronomy and Stargazing - North Pennines Stargazing Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    nr Mickleton

    ​​​​​​The event will begin with a welcome from the lead astronomer at Grassholme Observatory, Gary Fildes. Gary is a very experienced science communicator and astronomer, and founder of the Kielder Observatory, where he was Director and CEO for over…

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2025to26 Oct 2025Open 20:00 - 23:00
    More info for Dark Sky Astronomy and Stargazing - North Pennines Stargazing Festival
  3. Outdoor seating, fire pit, picnic hamper, a starry dark sky

    Add Stargazing at the Lord Crewe - North Pennines Stargazing Festival to your Itinerary

    Stargazing at the Lord Crewe - North Pennines Stargazing Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    Blanchland

    ​​​​​​Are we alone in the universe? This question has fascinated humans for a long time, and it has regularly come up as a conversation topic on previous stargazing events at The Lord Crewe Arms in Blanchland.

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2025Open 19:00 - 22:00
    More info for Stargazing at the Lord Crewe - North Pennines Stargazing Festival
  4. outer space galaxy

    North Pennines Stargazing Festival 2025

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    The North Pennines Stargazing Festival is returning for 2025 – running for a week between Friday 24 October and Sunday 2 November.

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2025to2 Nov 2025
    More info for North Pennines Stargazing Festival 2025
  5. The Moon © Graham Relf

    Add Moon Trail at Bowlees Visitor Centre - North Pennines Stargazing Festival to your Itinerary

    Moon Trail at Bowlees Visitor Centre - North Pennines Stargazing Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    Newbiggin

    ​​​​​​Our self-guided trail this half term holiday is a Moon-themed treasure trail, all part of the North Pennines Stargazing Festival 2025.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Oct 2025to2 Nov 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Moon Trail at Bowlees Visitor Centre - North Pennines Stargazing Festival
  6. North Pennines National Landscape wording and flag reflection in the night's sky

    Add Stars and songs: family-friendly stargazing - North Pennines Stargazing Festival to your Itinerary

    Stars and songs: family-friendly stargazing - North Pennines Stargazing Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    Newbiggin

    Celebrate the North Pennines Stargazing Festival with guided stargazing and astronomy, arts and crafts, and an enchanting, evening sing-along. Suitable for all ages with facts, food and fun for everyone.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Oct 2025Open 17:00 - 21:00
    More info for Stars and songs: family-friendly stargazing - North Pennines Stargazing Festival
  7. A group of people doing the dark skies run.  Photo by Molly Jones

    Add Dark Skies Run - North Pennines Stargazing Festival to your Itinerary

    Dark Skies Run - North Pennines Stargazing Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    Newbiggin

    ​​​​​​Discover the freedom of trail running at night, in the company of experienced runners, as we follow the route of the High Force and Bowlees Geotrail.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Oct 2025Open 19:00 - 21:30
    More info for Dark Skies Run - North Pennines Stargazing Festival
  8. A starry sky over High Force Waterfall.  Photo by Gary Lintern

    Add Family Stargazing at High Force - North Pennines Stargazing Festival to your Itinerary

    Family Stargazing at High Force - North Pennines Stargazing Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    Forest In Teesdale

    Discover the Magic of the Night Sky — Together.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Oct 2025to30 Oct 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Family Stargazing at High Force - North Pennines Stargazing Festival
  9. stars in sky by High Force Hotel

    Add Festive Stargazing Suppers at High Force Hotel and Waterfall to your Itinerary

    Festive Stargazing Suppers at High Force Hotel and Waterfall

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Forest-in-Teesdale

    A festive evening of magical stargazing and delicious three course meal.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Dec 2025to13 Dec 2025Open 20:30 -
    From:
    19 Dec 2025to20 Dec 2025Open 20:30 -
    More info for Festive Stargazing Suppers at High Force Hotel and Waterfall
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