Starry night sky with Milky Way over snowy landscape and gate.

Stargazing & Walking Weekend - Northumberland

Spend two nights exploring Northumberland with a small, sociable group, combining leisurely guided walking with an evening at Kielder Observatory.

Based near Bellingham, the break includes time in Northumberland National Park, the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park and a quieter section of Hadrian’s Wall. Alongside the walking, you’ll learn more about the night sky, visit historic locations and enjoy relaxed evenings with the group.

No previous stargazing experience is needed, and with a maximum of eight participants, it’s an easy-going way to explore Northumberland in friendly company.

Trip Overview

  • Location: Northumberland

  • Duration: 2 nights

  • Group Size: Max 8 (small group)

  • Style: Sociable walking break

 

Walking Grade: Leisurely

Steady-paced, sociable walking with manageable distances and varied terrain, with time to stop and enjoy the surroundings.

Typical Distance: Around 6–10 miles per day
With plenty of time for breaks and photos at a relaxed pace,

 

  • Accommodation: Lodge

  • Room Type: Single Rooms, Twin / Double Rooms and Shared same-sex rooms

  • Transport: Transport during the break is included, with an optional pre-booked collection from Hexham railway station

  • Meals: Breakfasts and packed lunches included, plus one group evening meal. On the other evenings, we eat out together at local pubs (pay for your own meals)

  • Price: From £355 per person

Check Dates & Book Your Place

Select a date to view availability, room options and prices, and book your place to join Large Outdoors.

Dates & Availability

We run this trip on selected dates throughout the year.

Upcoming dates:

  • Friday 20 - Sunday 22 November 2026

  • Friday 26 - Sunday 28 February 2027

Simply select your preferred date in the booking box to check availability and book.

Can I Book with a Deposit?

Book more than 12 weeks before departure with a 20% deposit. Within 12 weeks of departure, full payment is required at booking.

 

A Good Fit for You If…

  • Prefer leisurely walks at an unhurried pace

  • Would like to visit Kielder Observatory as part of an organised break

  • Enjoy learning about local landscapes, history and the night sky

  • Like travelling with a friendly, small group

  • Want transport during the break taken care of

  • Are comfortable staying in relaxed lodge accommodation

 

Probably not for you if…

  • Want long mountain days or challenging routes

  • Prefer a completely independent holiday

  • Are looking for hotel accommodation with full service

  • Would be uncomfortable spending part of the Observatory visit outside at night

Image courtesy of Keilder Observatory

Walking, Stargazing, and Exploring Northumberland

Northumberland is shaped by its border history, open countryside and long connection with the night sky.

Brown Rigg sits within Northumberland National Park and the Gold Tier Northumberland International Dark Sky Park. Low levels of light pollution make this one of Europe’s leading areas for observing the stars, while Kielder Observatory gives visitors an accessible introduction to astronomy.

The final day introduces another side of the county through Hadrian’s Wall and locations connected with Roman and early Christian history. Sites such as Planetrees and Heavenfield help place the surviving landscape within the wider story of the area.

Bellingham and the surrounding villages provide a relaxed base, with local cafés and places to eat forming part of the weekend.

Highlights

  • An evening event at Kielder Observatory

  • Two leisurely guided walks of approximately 6–8 miles

  • A small group of no more than eight participants

  • Time exploring Hadrian’s Wall, Planetrees and Heavenfield

  • Included transport throughout the break

Group of people dressed in winter clothing inside a wooden structure illuminated by red lighting, standing around a large telescope.
People inside a wooden structure observing a large telescope, lit by red lighting.
Group of people standing on outdoor deck at night, illuminated with red light, watching the night sky with stars visible.
Group of people standing outside at night near a building illuminated with red lights.

Here’s what’s included in your trip:

  • Two nights’ accommodation at Brown Rigg

  • Guided walking on Days 2 and 3

  • Entry to an evening event at Kielder Observatory

  • Transport during the trip

  • Complimentary collection from Hexham railway station when booked in advance

  • Dinner at the accommodation on the first evening

  • DIY breakfast on both mornings, with toast, cereal, fruit and yoghurt provided

  • DIY packed lunch for the Day 2 walk, including a sandwich and snacks

  • Tea & Coffee, including decaffeinated and herbal options

  • Bedding

  • Pre-trip support from the Large Outdoors team

 

What’s not included

  • Travel to and from Hexham or the accommodation

  • Dinner on the second evening

  • Lunch and refreshments on the final day

  • Towels and toiletries

  • Alcoholic drinks

  • Bottled water

  • Additional food, drinks or purchases from shops, pubs, restaurants and cafés

  • Activities or excursions not listed as included

  • Travel and activity insurance

Suggested Itinerary

The itinerary provides a guide to the weekend rather than a fixed schedule. Routes, timings and activities may be adjusted because of the weather, local conditions or other circumstances.

  • A complimentary collection is available from Hexham railway station at 15:30. This must be requested in advance.

    If you are travelling directly to Brown Rigg, you can arrive from 17:00. Your Large Outdoors host will welcome you and help you settle into the accommodation.

    That evening, we’ll have dinner together in the lodge. It’s a relaxed opportunity to meet the rest of the group and talk through the plans for the break. You are welcome to bring wine, beer or another drink to enjoy with dinner.

  • After breakfast, we’ll take a leisurely walk of approximately 6–8 miles through the countryside around Bellingham.

    The route is expected to include a mixture of woodland, riverside paths and open countryside. We’ll maintain a comfortable pace with time for breaks and a packed lunch along the way.

    After returning to the accommodation, there will be time to change before we travel for an early group dinner at a local restaurant. Dinner is not included, so you can order and pay for your preferred meal.

    We’ll then continue to Kielder Observatory for an evening event led by its astronomy team. The programme normally includes an introduction to the night sky and the Observatory’s telescopes. If conditions are suitable, there may also be an opportunity to observe stars, planets, clusters or galaxies.

    Parts of the visit take place outside, so warm clothing, a hat and gloves are important. Hot drinks can be purchased at the Observatory.

  • After breakfast, we’ll check out and travel towards Hadrian’s Wall for a second walk of approximately 6–8 miles.

    The planned route begins near Wall village and visits Planetrees, where a surviving section of Hadrian’s Wall shows examples of its Roman masonry. We’ll also explore Heavenfield and St Oswald’s in Lee Church before following part of the River Tyne Trail towards Chollerford.

    We plan to finish at a local café, where you can purchase refreshments before the journey home.

    The station transfer is expected to arrive at Hexham at approximately 14:00. We recommend booking flexible rail tickets in case the day’s timings need to change.

A bedroom with a large bed covered in white linens and decorated with leaf-patterned pillows. There's a wooden headboard, bedside tables with lamps, a wall-mounted shelf with books, a window with a view of trees, and a mirror above a wooden desk.
Bedroom interior with wooden bed, desk, chair, and large glass doors overlooking a grassy field.

Getting There & Accommodation

  • We are offering a Pickup service for this trip - please see below. If you prefer to make your own way to the accommodation, then you are welcome to arrive from 5pm.

    Pickup (Day 1): We are offering a Pickup from Haxham Train Station at 3:30pm.

    Return (Day 3): If booking the Pickup, we will also return you to Hexham Train Station on the final day, after we finish walking. Please book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility with the return time.

    Meeting Location (if not booking a Pickup):
    Brown Rigg Lodges
    Bellingham
    Northumberland
    NE48 2HR

    Parking: There is free parking available at the accommodation.

    Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 1pm and 3pm - the exact finish time may depend on the planned/chosen activity, group dynamic, weather conditions, whether the group chooses to grab a coffee or lunch together during/after, etc. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility.

  • The group will stay across two of the Guest Lodges at Brown Rigg Lodges & Guest Rooms. These thoughtfully renovated and refurbished former school buildings offer cosy accommodation in a fantastic location. Wi-Fi is available and there’s a handy drying room.
    All bedding is provided, but please make sure you bring a towel and your own toiletries.

    Accommodation Address:
    Brown Rigg Lodges
    Bellingham
    Northumberland
    NE48 2HR

    Room Types:
    You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
    Bed in a Shared Female Room
    Bed in a Shared Male Room
    Twin Room (shared bathroom)
    Sole Occupancy Double Room (shared bathroom)

    At this accommodation there are Shared Rooms where you’ll be sharing a twin room - with two single beds - with one other participant (bathrooms are shared with other rooms).
    Twin Rooms sleep up to two participants booking together and have two single beds - bathrooms are shared with other rooms. (Sometimes rooms with double beds are available, so please let us know if you would prefer a double bed and we will do our best, although we can’t guarantee this option will be available).
    Sole Occupancy Double Rooms are for one participant and have a double bed (bathrooms are shared with other rooms).

Check Dates & Book Your Place

Select a date to view availability, room options and prices, and book your place to join Large Outdoors.

Dates & Availability

We run this trip on selected dates throughout the year.

Upcoming dates:

  • Friday 20 - Sunday 22 November 2026

  • Friday 26 - Sunday 28 February 2027

Simply select your preferred date in the booking box to check availability and book.

Can I Book with a Deposit?

Book more than 12 weeks before departure with a 20% deposit. Within 12 weeks of departure, full payment is required at booking.

 
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