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Kielder Campsite

Kielder Campsite

Kielder Village, Kielder, Northumberland, NE48 1ER

Best time to visit

Kielder Campsite is arguably one of the best campsites for stargazing in the whole of England! Located on the outskirts of Kielder Village and at the heart of the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park the views of the starry skies above during a new Moon period are quite simply breathtaking!

The Milky Way is readily viewable arching across the sky and the “warm room” which is kept open overnight offers respite from any cold weather. As such it’s the perfect location for “Starcamps” several of which are held here throughout the year.

The campsite includes amenities such as hot showers and electric hookups and is the ideal base to explore the surrounding areas walks and excellent mountain bike trails. The nearby Anglers Arms offers great pub food and the cafe at Kielder Castle a hearty breakfast.

Kielder Campsite is a Dark Sky Discovery Site, an officially recognised place where anyone can stargaze. Most such locations have overnight parking (sometimes with a fee); however, many do not allow overnight camping. There may or may not be toilet facilities.

Stay & gaze - this location benefits from dark skies, relatively low levels of light pollution, is astronomy friendly and suitable for stargazing breaks. If you visit and find that the location is not dark sky friendly please let us know!

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Weather forecast

  • 24/01/22

    4° 4%

  • 24/01/22

    4° 4%

  • 25/01/22

    3° 5%

  • 25/01/22

    3° 16%

Weather forecast for Kielder (0.8 miles away) updated 24/01/22 at 04:00.

Local light pollution

Kielder Campsite is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to adark site dark site location based on data from the VIIRS satellite.

The above demonstrates the estimated effect of light pollution - graphics created using Stellarium.

Light pollution map of Kielder Campsite

Best time to visit

The Moon has a big impact on the visibility of celestial bodies in the night sky. Try to plan your stargazing when there is no bright Moon at night as this is when the skies will be at their darkest.

The below chart shows when the skies will be at their darkest at this location and therefore the best time to visit. Moonlight is shown in light yellow and the Sun's twilight in light blue. Midnight on the date shown is shown as a white line with sunset to the left and sunrise the next morning to the right. A black background with stars shows the best times for stargazing. See our dark sky calendar for more details.

Mon 24th Jan

Third Quarter
67% illuminated
Dark from 17:56 to 00:30
Dark for 6h 33m

Tue 25th Jan

Third Quarter
56% illuminated
Dark from 17:57 to 01:58
Dark for 8h 0m

Wed 26th Jan

Third Quarter
45% illuminated
Dark from 17:59 to 03:30
Dark for 9h 30m

Thu 27th Jan

Third Quarter
34% illuminated
Dark from 18:01 to 05:02
Dark for 11h 0m

Fri 28th Jan

Waning Crescent
24% illuminated
Dark from 18:03 to 06:28
Dark for 12h 24m

Sat 29th Jan

Waning Crescent
14% illuminated
Dark from 18:04 to 06:40
Dark for 12h 35m

Sun 30th Jan

Waning Crescent
7% illuminated
Dark from 18:06 to 06:39
Dark for 12h 32m

Find more dates

If you are planning to visit this location check our dark sky calendar to find out when is best!

Calendar

Forthcoming events

Below is a list of events at Kielder Campsite. View these events on a calendar.

  • Kielder Forest Star Camp – Spring 2022

    Wednesday 2nd March 2022 from 12:00pm to Monday 7th March 2022 12:00pm

    Kielder Campsite, Kielder, NE48 1ER

    More info