The Comb · Northumberland
One of the darkest places in England.
The Comb sits at the heart of the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, the largest area of protected night sky in Europe. The season runs from mid-September to April. Kielder Observatory is nearby.
The season
Dark by four, clear from November.
Mid-September to April
The nights are long enough for the sky to be the point of the evening. The clearest skies are November to February.
What you see
On a clear night, the Milky Way overhead, the Andromeda galaxy with the naked eye, and more stars than most people have seen. On a cloudy one, the fire pit and the bar.
The Dark Skies Balcony
Off the end of the Lodge, with no light in front of it. A telescope, a star chart and red torches are in the house.
Kielder Observatory
Nearby. Public events most clear nights, with astronomers and telescopes. They sell their own tickets and clear weekends go quickly, so book before you come.
The estate at night
A walk on the estate with no torches at all, once your eyes have adjusted. The nearest streetlight is a long way off.
From here
The sky over the estate.
The photographs are from the estate and from Kielder Water, a short drive away. Self-catering at the Comb · Questions, answered
Northumberland International Dark Sky Park
It is dark by four in December, and the sky is one of the reasons to come.
Enquire
Tell us who’s coming.
Winter weekends are two nights, November to March. Rough dates, rough numbers and which house.