Stargazing for Kids in Northumberland

Stargazing for Kids in Northumberland: A Magical Night Under the Stars 

There’s something truly magical about gazing up at a sky full of stars — especially when you’re a child. Away from the glow of city lights, the night sky becomes a spectacular show of constellations, planets, shooting stars and even the Milky Way. And there’s no better place in the UK to experience that magic than stargazing in Northumberland. As home to some of the darkest skies in Europe, Northumberland offers families a unique opportunity to explore the universe together. Whether you’re planning a family camping holiday, an educational adventure, or simply a fun night under the stars, stargazing activities for kids here are both exciting and unforgettable. This inclusive activity can be enjoyed with all the family and is a great way to introduce kids to astronomy. 

Why Northumberland is the Best Place for Stargazing with Kids 

Northumberland is one of only a handful of International Dark Sky Parks in the world, meaning the light pollution here is exceptionally low. That makes it one of the very best places for stargazing in the UK — and an ideal location for introducing children to the wonders of space. At sites like Northumberland National Park and the dark skies at Kielder, you can see up to 2,000 stars with the naked eye. On a clear night, you might spot: 

• The Milky Way stretching across the sky 
• Planets like Jupiter and Saturn 
• Constellations such as Orion, Cassiopeia and the Plough 
• Shooting stars and meteor showers 
• Even the occasional glimpse of the Northern Lights! 

Best Spots for Stargazing

Herding Hill Farm is a dark skies campsite, only 1 mile from the dark sky discovery site right on Hadrian's Wall at Cawfields Quarry, within the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park. Walltown Country Park is 5-minutes drive and another good spot. The dark skies above Herding Hill Farm also make for perfect stargazing. On a clear, moonless night our remote, rural location offers a beautiful display of shimmering stars. The lighting on our campsite has been specially selected not to interfere and as such we are proud to be a Dark Sky Friendly Park. To Discover the Best Spots in Northumberland for Stargazing read our blog.

We are also just a short drive away from some of the best stargazing observatories in the UK including Kielder Observatory, Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory and Twice Brewed Inn Stargazing. These places all offer a range of stargazing activities for kids. Content regularly includes introduction to astronomy, aurora nights, our moon, astro photography and shooting stars as well as events specifically for children such as searching for aliens, space kids and rockets and young explorers.

Tips for Stargazing in Northumberland with Kids

• Pick the right time
• Autumn and winter when the nights draw in 
• Best before a full moon. A full moon can outshine fainter stars. For the best experience, plan your trip around a new moon
• Low humidity - crisp, clear winter nights 
• Have the right equipment - you don’t need a fancy telescope, just bring along a pair of binoculars - we offer stargazing kits for hire
• Wrap up warm 
• Turn off all your lights and your phone
• Be patient - you’ll need 30 minutes or so to let your eyes acclimatize to the dark
• Free apps such as Stellarium are easy to use and help you identify exactly what you are looking at
  

Fun stargazing activities for kids

Stargazing in Northumberland is more than just looking up at the sky — it’s about making the experience interactive, exciting and memorable. Here are some fun and easy stargazing activities for kids to try on your next trip:

• Make a star map - Downloading stargazing apps which will make your experience extra fun and tell you what you are looking at - we’d recommend Stellarium, Star Chart, Nasa, Sky Map and Star & Planet Finder. Before your trip, help your children draw their own star map. When you’re out stargazing in Northumberland, they can tick off the constellations and planets they’ve spotted
• Learn planet facts - start with the brightest thing you can see or the moon if it is there. See how many craters they can count. See if you can find planets like Jupiter or Mars. Kids will love learning fun facts about each one as they spot them.
• Get your children to try and spot the International Space Station as it moves across the sky and imagine what life as an astronaut must be like. The Space Station is the third brightest object in the sky. The Spot the Station website helps you to know when it will be passing across the Northumberland skies
• Create a Night Sky Journal - encourage children to keep a stargazing journal where they record what they see, draw the constellations, or write about their favourite moments
• Spot the constellations - find new shapes and make up names for your own constellations and share them with us on Facebook. Can you see the first letter of your own name in the star shapes? See who can spot Orion’s Belt or the Big Dipper first
• Shooting stars - keep your eyes peeled for meteors
• For older children why not name as many space themed songs, TV shows or movies as you can

There are other great resources out there including activities and projects which make learning enjoyable for kids. Visit the Dark Sky Discovery website to discover and download these great resources.

Essential items for stargazing

So you now you know all about the stargazing best spots, it’s time to run through the essential items we recommend for stargazing plus some additional extras to make your experience extra memorable!

• Outdoor chair 
• Warm coat and/or blanket 
• Fire pit
• Snacks and hot chocolate - why not mkae s'mores on the fire?
• Pair of binoculars with magnification or a telescope along to enhance the experience, otherwise just lie back and look up
• Use a red torch – Red light won’t affect your night vision, so it’s perfect for reading star maps without spoiling the view
  

Have fun stargazing in Northumberland at Herding Hill Farm and don't forget to share your snaps with us on social media! 

Create Unforgettable Family Memories Under the Night Sky 

For children, stargazing isn’t just a fun evening activity — it’s a magical experience that sparks their imagination and brings science to life. With its dark skies, family-friendly locations and wealth of astronomy experiences, stargazing in Northumberland is one of the most inspiring and educational adventures you can share together. So pack your telescope, grab a blanket, and head out into the crisp night air. From shooting stars and constellations to planets and galaxies, the universe is waiting — and there’s no better place to start exploring it than Northumberland.

Ready to go stargazing in Northumberland

Our dark skies campsite has a range of Northumberland accommodation including:

• Tent and touring pitches with electric
• Stargazing pods including our Wigwam cabins and Castle Pods
• Lodge with hot tub
• Family friendly camping including children's playground, ball field and animal petting farm
• Luxury campsite facilities including indoor campers kitchen and sauna for hire