Dark Skies

A large part of Tarset and Greystead is situated within the 579 square mile (1,500 sq km) Northumberland Dark Sky Park, the largest area of protected night sky in Europe.

Northumberland National Park, Kielder Water and Forest Park and Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society jointly submitted an application to the International Dark-Sky Association to seek International Dark Sky Status for the area, which was approved in December 2013 as a gold-tier certified international dark sky park. There are very few dark sky parks in the world, and only 7 others also classified as gold-tier, the highest possible level.

Further information:

• Dark Skies at Kielder Water and Forest Park and Kielder Observatory, Visit Kielder
• Star Gazing, Northumberland National Park
• Dark Sky Discovery, Dark Sky Discovery Partnership
• Press
  • Northumberland Given Night Sky Accolade, ITV, 8th December 2013
  • Dark-sky Status Awarded to Northumberland Park Area, BBC, 9th December 2013
• Northumberland National park and Kielder Water and Forest Park International Dark Sky Application, September 2013