Northumberland Stargazing & Walking Weekend

Meeting Locations & Times

Our weekend is based at:

Brown Rigg Lodges & Guest Rooms
Bellingham
Northumberland
NE48 2HR

If you're making your own way to the accommodation, you're welcome to arrive from 17:00 on Friday.

Alternatively, we offer a complimentary collection from Hexham railway station at 15:30 on Day 1, which must be booked in advance.

Travelling by Train

Hexham railway station is our designated collection point for guests arriving by public transport.

Please arrange your train journey to arrive comfortably before the 15:30 pickup.

Station Pickups

Day 1 – Hexham Railway Station: 15:30

Our complimentary station pickup is available when arranged in advance during booking.

Day 3 – Return to Hexham Railway Station

We'll return guests to Hexham after the final day's walk. Around 15:00

Travelling by Car & Parking

You're welcome to drive directly to Brown Rigg Lodges in Bellingham.

Free parking is available at the accommodation.

Guests travelling independently can arrive from 17:00 on the first day.

Transport During the Trip

All transport required for our planned guided walks and evening visit to Kielder Observatory is included.

Once you've arrived at the accommodation, there's no need to use your own car during the weekend.

Ferries & Boat Transfers

There are no ferry crossings or boat transfers required for this weekend.

Departure & Return Travel

We aim to finish the final day's activities between 15:00 and 16:00 on Day 3.

Guests using our Hexham station transfer will be dropped off after the walk, so please allow additional time for the journey back to the station.

Important Travel Information

If you're travelling by public transport, we recommend booking flexible or open return tickets wherever possible.

Our finishing time may vary depending on the route, weather, group pace and any stops along the way.

Accommodation Location

We'll be staying for two nights at:

Brown Rigg Lodges & Guest Rooms
Bellingham
Northumberland
NE48 2HR

Set in the Northumberland countryside, close to Bellingham, it's a lovely base for exploring the National Park and enjoying our evening at Kielder Observatory.

Accommodation Type

Our group will stay across two guest lodges at Brown Rigg, housed in thoughtfully renovated former school buildings.

The accommodation offers a relaxed, sociable setting, with communal spaces where everyone can get together after a day outdoors.

Wi-Fi is available, along with a handy drying room for walking clothing and footwear.

Bedrooms & Sleeping Arrangements

Accommodation is in a mixture of shared and private bedrooms.

Shared rooms have two single beds, with guests sharing with another participant of the same sex. Private rooms are available for those who prefer their own space, as well as twin and double rooms for guests booking together.

Room Options

Shared Female Room – Your own single bed in a twin room shared with another female guest.

Shared Male Room – Your own single bed in a twin room shared with another male guest.

Twin Room – A private room for two people booking together, with two single beds.

Double Room – A private room for two people booking together, with one double bed.

Sole Occupancy Double Room – A private room for one person, with a double bed.

All room options are subject to availability on your chosen departure.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are shared between bedrooms rather than being en-suite.

Bedding & Towels

All bedding is provided.

Please bring your own towel and toiletries, as these are not included.

Breakfast

Breakfast is included on both mornings.

We'll provide a simple, help-yourself breakfast with toast, cereal, fruit and yoghurt, so everyone can eat before heading out for the day's activities.

Tea and coffee are also provided, including decaffeinated and herbal options.

Packed Lunches

A help-yourself packed lunch is included for our Day 2 walk. We'll provide everything you need to make a sandwich, along with crisps, fruit and snacks to take with you.

Please bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up before heading out for the day.

Lunch on the final day isn't included, but we'll have opportunities to stop for food and refreshments along the way.

Evening Meals

Friday evening: Dinner at the accommodation is included, giving everyone a chance to settle in and get to know the group.

Saturday evening: Dinner is not included. We'll arrange an opportunity for the group to eat together, with everyone paying for their own meal and drinks.

Alcoholic drinks, bottled water and additional refreshments are not included.

Accommodation & Meals

Included

• Two nights' accommodation at Brown Rigg Lodges & Guest Rooms.

• Breakfast on both mornings, with toast, cereal, fruit and yoghurt.

• Dinner at the accommodation on the first evening.

• Help-yourself packed lunch for Day 2, including sandwiches, crisps, fruit and snacks.

• Tea and coffee, including decaffeinated and herbal options.

• Bedding.

Not Included

• Dinner on the second evening.

• Lunch and refreshments on the final day.

• Towels and toiletries.

• Alcoholic drinks, bottled water and additional food or refreshments.

Guiding & Support

Included

• Two days of guided walking with an experienced Large Outdoors guide.

• Evening excursion to Kielder Observatory, including admission to the observatory event and return transport.

• A small, sociable group of no more than eight guests.

• Pre-trip information and support from the Large Outdoors team.

Not Included

• Personal walking clothing and equipment.

Transport & Transfers

Included

• Complimentary collection from Hexham railway station at 15:30 on Day 1, when booked in advance.

• Return transfer to Hexham railway station on Day 3 for guests using our collection service.

• All transport required for our planned guided walks and excursions.

Not Included

• Travel to and from Hexham or Brown Rigg Lodges.

Additional Costs & Exclusions

Not Included

• Personal travel and activity insurance.

• Additional purchases from shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants.

• Optional activities or excursions not specifically listed as included.

• Personal spending during the weekend.

Walking Grade

Leisurely

This is one of our gentler walking breaks, with shorter guided walks at a relaxed, sociable pace.

We'll take our time, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the countryside, stop for photographs and explore places of interest along the way.

Terrain & Conditions

Most of our walking will be on established forest tracks, good paths and countryside trails, with generally easy conditions underfoot.

There will be some gentle hills and undulating sections, but no particularly demanding climbs or technical terrain are planned.

Fitness & Experience

You don't need to be an experienced walker to enjoy this weekend. A reasonable level of everyday fitness and the ability to enjoy a few hours of gentle walking is all that's needed.

No previous stargazing or astronomy experience is required either. Our evening at Kielder Observatory is designed to be accessible to beginners, with knowledgeable staff introducing you to the night sky and helping you discover more about astronomy.

Seasonal Conditions

Northumberland can be chilly, particularly during the evening, and paths may be wet or muddy after rain.

Bring comfortable walking footwear with good grip, waterproof clothing and warm layers.

For Kielder Observatory, warm clothing is particularly important. We'll be visiting in the evening, when temperatures can drop considerably, especially if we're spending time outdoors.

The observatory experience goes ahead in cloudy weather, although opportunities to view the stars will depend on conditions.

Walking Clothing & Footwear

Our walks are generally leisurely, mainly following forest tracks and established paths, but you'll still need suitable outdoor clothing.

• Comfortable walking boots or sturdy walking shoes with good grip.

• Waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers.

• Comfortable walking trousers.

• Walking socks.

• Warm layers, such as a fleece or insulated jacket.

• Hat and gloves.

What to Carry on Walks

• Small day rucksack.

• Reusable water bottle.

• Packed lunch and walking snacks.

• Any personal medication.

• Mobile phone.

• Waterproofs and an extra warm layer.

Clothing for Accommodation

Bring comfortable casual clothing and footwear for relaxing at Brown Rigg and enjoying the evenings with the group.

Bedding is provided, but you'll need to bring your own towel and toiletries.

Trip-Specific Extras

Kielder Observatory – Wrap Up Very Warm!

This is probably the most important packing advice for the entire weekend.

Although we're visiting an observatory, the observing areas are open to the night sky, so you should expect to spend a considerable amount of time outdoors.

During winter, temperatures can fall below freezing, and standing still for a few hours feels very different from keeping warm while walking.

We strongly recommend bringing:

• Thermal base layers – Ideally thermal leggings and a long-sleeved thermal top.

• Extra fleece or warm mid-layer – Several layers are better than one thick jumper.

• A thick insulated winter coat – Something warmer than your usual walking jacket.

• Woolly hat – Ideally one that covers your ears.

• Warm gloves – Insulated gloves or mittens are particularly useful.

• Thick socks and warm footwear – Your feet can get surprisingly cold when you're standing still.

• Neck warmer or scarf – Particularly useful if it's windy.

• Hand warmers – Optional, but a welcome extra on particularly cold evenings.

Head Torch – Red Light Recommended

We recommend bringing a head torch with a red light setting.

Red light helps preserve your night vision and avoids dazzling other visitors while their eyes adjust to the darkness.

Please avoid using a bright white head torch or your phone's torch around the observing areas unless directed by observatory staff.

Our advice: Pack more warm clothing than you think you'll need. You can always remove a layer, but once you're standing outside in the cold, you'll be very glad you brought those extra thermals, fleeces and gloves!

Full Kit List

We've put together a useful walking kit list to help you prepare for your holiday.

View our full walking kit list here →

Booking Confirmation

Once you've booked, you'll receive a confirmation email with your booking details and our full booking terms.

Deposits & Balance Payments

If you've paid a deposit, we'll automatically email you a reminder when your remaining balance is due. Balances are normally due 12 weeks before departure.

Your Trip WhatsApp Group

Ahead of your trip, we'll invite you to join a dedicated WhatsApp group for your holiday.

It's a great way to say hello to your fellow walkers, ask questions and get to know everyone before you arrive. Most of our guests join us on their own, so it's a nice way to break the ice.

Joining is entirely optional.

Final Details

A couple of days before departure, we'll send you a final reminder with your guide or host's name and contact number, along with any important last-minute information.

Keeping Up to Date

Everything you need to plan your trip, including meeting locations, times, accommodation and travel arrangements, is provided on this page.

We recommend checking back here from time to time before departure, as we'll update the page if any arrangements change. You don't need to wait for your final email to organise your travel.

Does the Kielder Observatory event go ahead if it's cloudy or raining?

Yes! The Kielder Observatory event goes ahead regardless of the weather.

Naturally, clear skies give us the best opportunity to observe stars and planets through the telescopes, but there's plenty to enjoy even when it's cloudy.

The observatory team will adapt the evening to the conditions, with fascinating talks and activities introducing you to astronomy and the night sky.

Do I need any previous stargazing experience?

Not at all! The Kielder Observatory experience is suitable for complete beginners, and you don't need any knowledge of astronomy.

The observatory team will guide you through the evening, explaining what you're looking at and answering questions along the way.

Can I come on my own?

Absolutely! Most people join Large Outdoors on their own, and our weekends are designed to be friendly and sociable.

With a maximum of eight guests, it's easy to get to know everyone, whether you're joining for the walking, the stargazing or both.

Is this weekend suitable for someone new to guided walking?

Yes. Our walks are graded Leisurely, with mainly good forest tracks and established paths, although there will be some gentle hills.

You don't need previous experience of guided walking holidays, just a reasonable level of everyday fitness and an enjoyment of being outdoors.

Will we be outside at Kielder Observatory?

Yes, you should expect to spend time outdoors in the observing areas, which are open to the night sky.

It can be extremely cold during winter, particularly when standing still, so please bring plenty of warm layers, thermals, a thick coat, hat and gloves.