People in warm clothing under a starry night sky, possibly near an observatory or stargazing site.
Night sky over a calm lake reflecting stars and distant hills, surrounded by grassy terrain.
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.
Starry night sky with Milky Way over snowy landscape and gate.
Kielder Observatory at night under a star-filled sky and Milky Way

Weekends & Short Breaks

Stargazing & Walking Weekend - Northumberland

Large Outdoors runs sociable, small-group walking breaks across the UK, welcoming anyone who enjoys exploring new places on foot with friendly company and expert guides. This Northumberland weekend blends relaxed walking with the chance to experience one of Europe’s best dark-sky locations, including an evening visit to Kielder Observatory and a final day exploring a quieter stretch of Hadrian’s Wall. It’s a gentle, welcoming short break with included transport, comfortable lodge accommodation, and a social feel from the moment you arrive.

Duration: 2 nights
Accommodation: Lodge
Group Size: Maximum 8 participants
Level: Leisurely
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs

Pricing & Accommodation: From £355 per person. Shared rooms, single rooms, twin rooms, and double rooms available - see booking calendar for specific dates and pricing.

 

Booking Calendar…

Walking, Stargazing, and Exploring Northumberland

Spend a weekend discovering the landscapes of Northumberland National Park and the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park. The aim is simple: relaxed days outdoors, a friendly atmosphere, and time to enjoy both the scenery and the night sky. Our base near Bellingham gives easy access to peaceful walking routes, while Kielder Observatory offers an accessible introduction to astronomy with experts who make the night both informative and enjoyable.

You don’t need any previous stargazing experience – the Observatory staff guide you through everything, from understanding what you’re seeing to how the telescopes work. Across the weekend you’ll also explore part of Hadrian’s Wall, visiting places many visitors miss, and round off the trip with refreshments at a local café.

Transport during the weekend is included, and on the first evening we share a group meal in the lodge (included). Feel free to bring along a bottle of your favourite tipple to enjoy with dinner.

Image courtesy of Keilder Observatory

Suggested Itinerary

Here’s what we’ve got planned - of course, we may have to offer alternatives or make amendments if the weather misbehaves or other unexpected situations arise!

  • We offer a complimentary pick-up at 15:30 from Hexham train station - this must be booked in advance. If making your own way, you’re welcome to arrive at our accommodation from 17:00, where your Large Outdoors host will be ready to welcome you.

    We’ll be staying across a set of comfortable guest lodges at Brown Rigg in Bellingham, right in the heart of Northumberland National Park and the Gold Tier Northumberland International Dark Sky Park. This is one of the best places in Europe for stargazing, with minimal light pollution and exceptional clarity on clear nights.

    This evening, we’ll settle into the lodge for a relaxed group meal (included). It’s a great chance to chat, unwind, and get to know your fellow walkers ahead of the weekend. Feel free to bring a bottle of wine or your favourite drink to enjoy with dinner.

  • After breakfast, we’ll head out on a relaxed walk of around 6–8 miles, exploring the peaceful countryside around Bellingham. This area is often bypassed by people rushing north, but it’s a lovely patchwork of woodland, open moorland edges, and riverside paths. Expect a steady, unhurried day out with plenty of time to pause and enjoy the scenery.

    We’ll return to the accommodation in the late afternoon with time to freshen up before an early dinner locally (not included).

    As evening approaches, we’ll drive into the forest to reach Kielder Observatory, one of the most impressive public observatories in the UK. The visit includes a talk from the Observatory team, a tour of the telescopes, and if conditions allow, time outside looking at star clusters, galaxies, and the Milky Way. Wrap up warm – a good portion of the visit takes place outdoors, and Northumberland nights can be chilly. There’s also excellent hot chocolate available on site.

  • After packing up and checking out, we’ll head to the Wall area for a 6–8 mile walk exploring one of the quieter and more atmospheric stretches of Hadrian’s Wall. We’ll follow a lovely route from Wall village, taking in Planetrees – a surviving section of the Wall with striking masonry – and the historic site of Heavenfield, where St Oswald’s in Lee Church now stands. This walk gives a real sense of the landscape the Romans defended and the local history that has shaped the area ever since.

    From here, we’ll pick up the River Tyne Trail and enjoy an easy wander along the riverside into Chollerford. We’ll finish with a visit to a local café for refreshments, a relaxed ending to the weekend.

    For those using station transfers, we aim to be back at Hexham for around 14:00. As always, we recommend booking an open return to allow for flexibility.

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.
People in warm clothing standing outside at night, with a dark sky and stars visible overhead and a wooden building illuminated with red lights.
Group of people standing outside at night near a building illuminated with red lights.

Essential Information

  • 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).

  • Included:

    • Pickup service from Hexham Train Station, if required - see the Meeting Location & Time section above - and transportation for the duration of the trip

    • 2 nights’ accommodation at Brown Rigg Lodges.

    • Guided walks on two days (Day 2 and Day 3)

    • Entry to Kielder Observatory for an evening of stargazing (Day 2).

    • First day evening meal.

    • A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).

    • A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for Day 2’s walk.

    • Tea (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and squash at the accommodation.

    • Bedding - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.

    • Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.

    Not included:

    • Travel to and from the meeting location.

    • Dinner on the second night - we’ll book a table at a local restaurant to enjoy dinner as a group and you can purchase whatever you fancy from the menu available.

    • Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.

    • Bottled water - tap water and squash are available at the accommodation, so please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up and take out with you.

    • Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation.

    • Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.

    • Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.

  • Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.

    The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should be carrying the items listed.

  • What level of fitness is needed?
    This trip is graded as Leisurely. Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.

    Can I attend on my own?
    Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.

    I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me?
    Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian, vegan, and/or provide meals with gluten free ingredients - these options can be selected when booking.
    This particular experience offers a little more flexibility catering wise, as evening meals are taken at local restaurants, so please contact us if you’d like to check whether it is suitable for your dietary needs.

    What transport is provided during this trip?
    Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door.

    Can I bring my dog?
    Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.

Booking FAQ’s

Can I book with a deposit?

Yes, if the trip is more than 12 weeks away you can secure your place with a 20% deposit. The balance is due no later than 10 weeks before travel. You will receive a series of reminder emails when the balance is due. If the trip is less than 12 weeks away, the full balance is due at the time of booking.

Can I pay in instalments?

Yes – although our system doesn't have a function to do this automatically. If you'd like to split your payments, simply email us (hello@largeoutdoors.com) when you'd like to make a payment. Please don't forget to tell us how much you'd like to pay off the balance and your order number. We'll then send you an email with a secure online payment link.

 

Booking Calendar!

 
 

This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.