Dark skies above the Battlesteads Observatory in Wark A NEW virtual festival has been organised to celebrate Northumberland as one of the best places in the country to stargaze. Northumberland International Dark Sky Park will host its first Dark Skies Festival next month, in recognition of the fact the area is ideal to take in the majesty of the Milky Way on a clear night. The county offically has the most pristine dark skies in England. In 2013, the national park and most of Kielder Water and Forest Park became England s first International Dark Sky Park (Gold Tier), as awarded by the International Dark Sky Association.
A new virtual festival is being organised this February to celebrate Northumberland as one of the best places to stargaze and take in the majesty of the Milky Way on a clear night.