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The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre

The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre

Bardon Mill, Hexham, Northumberland, NE47 7AN, North East

Best time to visit

Newly renovated in 2017 with nearly £15m of investment this premier visitor centre gives easy access to Hadrians Wall and Sycamore Gap by day and the amazing dark skies above Northumberland at night.  The Youth Hostel offers ideal accommodation for overnight stargazers.  A favoured location for the Go Stargazing team who regularly organise stargazing events here.

The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre 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.

Location events organiser

Go Stargazing

Go Stargazing organises events at this location

Please contact Go Stargazing directly with any enquiries relating to visiting this location

Email: [email protected]
Website: Go Stargazing
Twitter: @gostargazing
Facebook: Go Stargazing

Weather forecast

  • 18/04/24

    7° 62%

  • 18/04/24

    7° 51%

  • 19/04/24

    6° 10%

  • 19/04/24

    5° 9%

Weather forecast for Once Brewed Youth Hostel (0.3 miles away) updated 18/04/24 at 04:00.

Local light pollution

The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to adark site dark site location based on the latest data from the VIIRS satellite.

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

Light pollution map of The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre

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.

Moon phase on Thu 18th Apr

Thu 18th Apr

Waxing Gibbous
71 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Fri 19th Apr

Fri 19th Apr

Waxing Gibbous
79 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Sat 20th Apr

Sat 20th Apr

Waxing Gibbous
86 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Sun 21st Apr

Sun 21st Apr

Waxing Gibbous
92 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Mon 22nd Apr

Mon 22nd Apr

Full Moon
96 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Tue 23rd Apr

Tue 23rd Apr

Full Moon
99 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Wed 24th Apr

Wed 24th Apr

Full Moon
100 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS

Find more dates

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

Calendar

Events nearby

Display nearby events on a calendar

  • Border Astronomical Society informal meeting and observing

    Thursday 13th March 2025 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Trinity School Observatory, Carlisle, CA1 1JB (22.5 miles away)

    More info

  • Border Astronomical Society informal meeting and observing

    Thursday 10th April 2025 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Trinity School Observatory, Carlisle, CA1 1JB (22.5 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • Twice Brewed Observatory and Planetarium

    Bardon Mill, Hexham, Northumberland, NE47 7AN (0.1 miles away)

    Dark Sky Discovery Site, Observatory, Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Northumberland Stargazing Hideaway

    Bardon Mill, Hexham, Northumberland, NE47 7HA (1.3 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • The Hiddle Hut – Northumberland

    Bardon Mill, Hexham, Northumberland, NE47 7ES (1.7 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Herding Hill Farm Camping and Caravan Site

    Shield Hill, Haltwhistle, Northumberland, NE49 9NW, North East (2.6 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Carraw Bed and Breakfast

    Carraw Farm, Humshaugh, Northumberland, NE46 4DB (6.5 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Sycamore Cottage & Glamping

    Barrasford, Hexham, Northumberland, NE48 4AG (10.9 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info