Kielder Forest Star Camp
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Autumn 2018: 10th – 15th October (bookings now open)
Spring 2019: 6th – 11th March
Autumn 2019: 30th October – 4th November
Kielder Forest Star Camp?
The Kielder Forest Star Camp or Star Party is simply a gathering of astronomers from all over the UK to observe, stargaze, photograph the astronomical wonders of the night sky, exchange ideas, socialise and listen to astronomical talks. They usually involve a few days of camping.
According to the Campaign to Protect Rural England, Kielder Water and Forest Park has the darkest skies in England, and on a moonless week like this the stargazers can also expect to see the Milky Way, shooting stars and nebulae, clouds of dust created by exploding stars.
Kielder Forest Star Camps are run twice a year, in the spring (usually in Feb/March) and in the autumn(usually in October).
Up to 200 amateur astronomers from all over the UK pitch their tents at the Kielder Forest Star Camp in Northumberland, a twice-yearly gathering organised organised by members of the Sunderland Astronomical Society (SAS) and members of the Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society (KAOS). For more information see Kielder Forest Star Camp website.
The Kielder Forest Star Camp is a fairly informal affair with people bringing their own camping equipment and observing equipment be it telescopes, astro-imaging equipment or just a pair of binoculars, and camping under the dark skies at Kielder.
Everyone just “does their own thing” and there is no tuition, lectures or organised sessions during the week and night times. However on the Saturday afternoon of the event we have a number of astronomy related talks at Kielder Castle and usually 2 or 3 vendors selling astronomical related items and equipment.
Pets are allowed and we do have a number of people who bring dogs but we do ask that they are kept under control as there is usually thousands of pounds of equipment set up and left outside for the week so we can’t have dogs running around that might knock into them etc.
As this is an astronomy event we have a strict “red-light” rule during the hours of darkness. i.e. no white lights allowed, only red lights as white light spoils night vision and ruins astro-imaging. This includes inside tents as it shines through and also means car interior lights need to be set to permanently off. You can easily adapt a white torch to red by buying red gel to put over the glass or some people use red cycle lamps. There are lots of options.
A Great Place to Stargaze from Martin Whipp on Vimeo.
Where is the Star Camp?
The Kielder Forest Star Camp is based at Kielder Campsite. North of the village of Kielder approximately a mile.
Lat Long coordinates for Sat Navs: 55° 14′ 14.54″N, 2° 35′ 15.62″W.
Map Location
When are the Star Camps?
Kielder Forest Star Camps are run twice a year, either in:
- Spring (usually in February/March).
- Autumn (usually in October).
Next events @kielderstarcamp
2017: Autumn: 18th – 23rd October 2017
Bookings open.
2018: Spring: 14 th- 19th March 2018 (bookings open late October)
How Much Does it Cost?
There is a minimum 2 night stay and and fees must be paid in advance to secure a pitch. You can cancel up to one month before the event and receive a full refund.
Please note – Reservations are not held without payment. Fees help the Kielder community run its publicly owned campsite.
All activities on the main day (Saturday) are free.
For either the Spring or Autumn Star camps the costs are as follows.
Tent Pitches
- £15 for a electric hook-up pitch.
- £12 for a non hook-up pitch.
- Prices are per pitch per night
Vendors and speakers will be announced in shortly before the event.
Hobbit Hutches
The wooden “hobbit’ hutches are booked directly with the campsite, but note bookings conditions are the same – full fees in advance with a one month cancellation. Email Steve at kieldercampsite@btconnect.com.
Hard Standings
We will have more hard standing hook ups to offer from October 2015 as a result of works to the campsite.
Booking & Availability
Booking Enquiries
Tent pitches (especially with electric hook-ups) tend booked up early. However there a sometimes booking cancellations.
Please email Lynn Henderson and you can put you on the waiting list if any pitches become vacant.
Registration & Bookings
All attendances and pitches for the Kielder Forest Star Camp require registration & booking in advance.
The next star camp bookings please contact Lynn Henderson.
There is a minimum 2 night stay and and fees must be paid in advance to secure a pitch. You can cancel up to one month before the event and receive a full refund.
Please note – Reservations are not held without payment. Fees help the Kielder community run its publicly owned campsite.
Availability
Tent Pitches
- Electric hook-up pitch,(Call to check availability).
- Non hook-up pitch. (Spaces Available).
- Prices are per pitch per night
Hobbit Hutches
For information email Steve at kieldercampsite@btconnect.com,(Fully Booked)
Hard Standings
For further information email Lynn at Lynn Henderson, (Fully Booked).