Northumberland Dark Sky Park, the largest protected dark sky zone in Europe, is set to welcome a spectacular new stargazing experience. Kielder Observatory has partnered with actor and presenter Robson Green to install a state-of-the-art reflective telescope, named the 'Robson's Reflector', at the Twice Brewed Inn near Hadrian's Wall.
New Stargazing Experience Launches
The experience, combining a planetarium, observatory, and cutting-edge equipment, will be officially launched by Robson Green on 31 May 2026. The Twice Brewed Inn has collaborated with Kielder Observatory since 2025 to offer post-dusk stargazing. Northumberland National Park, designated a Dark Sky Park in 2013, covers a quarter of the county.
According to the observatory, the new initiative aims to provide more people with the chance to connect with Northumberland's internationally recognised dark skies, boosting tourism, inspiring future generations, and attracting new visitors to the region.
Robson Green's Excitement
Robson Green expressed his enthusiasm: 'There's something incredibly special about the skies in Northumberland. They make you stop, reflect and feel connected to something much bigger than yourself. Places like Kielder Observatory at Twice Brewed Inn help people experience that wonder first-hand, while also shining a light on this incredible part of the country. I'm delighted to be part of the launch.'
Leigh Venus, CEO of Kielder Observatory, added: 'Kielder Observatory has always been about creating moments of inspiration, wonder and reflection through the night sky, while making astronomy accessible to everyone. This new location allows us to reach even more people – from families and tourists to schools and communities who may never otherwise have the opportunity to engage with astronomy in this way – and create a different kind of experience combining our incredible team with the food, drink and warm welcome of Twice Brewed Inn right next door. Northumberland's dark skies are one of the region's greatest natural assets, and we're incredibly proud to continue building experiences that support tourism, education and inspiration.'
