Shooting Stargazers from 14 to 100 years old will enjoy this experience.

If the skies clear and are ready for a great shooting star show, then you'll need to keep warm.  If you want to try to photograph a meteor then bring your tripod and DSLR for some top tips.

Shooting stars can be seen at any time of the year, particularly in a Dark Sky Site away from light pollution, so when you're visiting us it's always best to be looking up.  Additionally, there are several regular meteor showers every year, caused by the orbiting Earth crashing into dust particles left by comets and asteroids that visit our inner solar system.

Battlesteads Observatory is the number one location in Northumberland to enjoy a shooting star supper in style.   A perfect compromise between the comfort of award winning, locally sourced food and the dark skies of the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, it's absolutely second to none.

The evening begins in the Restaurant with one of our superb freshly made sandwiches,  and piping hot soup, (be sure to tell us of any dietary requirements when you book.)  Then the team will take you up to the observatory to start the astronomy part of the evening.  You'll be shown, and be able to handle museum quality meteorites, be given an introduction on how to use binoculars properly and (weather permitting) use the observatory's powerful telescopes for stargazing.  During your observatory visit, you'll be treated to an explanation of the origins of shooting stars, meteors, comets, asteroids and learn how to collect micrometeorites in your own back garden.

During the evening our team will guide you around some of the fantastic wonders of the universe that can be seen from the dark skies of Northumberland and we'll settle down to watch the celestial firework show, (deckchairs are available to sit on too!)  If you'd like to learn a little bit about how to image shooting stars with a DSLR camera, our team will be on hand to give you some top tips.

During the winter months the observatory warm room is kept cosy and with free hot drinks available all year round; this simply is the best and most comfortable way to be introduced to the dark starry skies of Northumberland and the universe beyond.

It's important to note that most meteor showers fully peak after midnight and so, if the skies are clear you'll get the best out of the event if you're able to stay up late - why not book into one of the hotel's rooms?

As of yet, we're unable to control the weather, so observing the skies can only go ahead if it's clear but you'll be pleased to know that all events go ahead in any weather conditions.

The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by comet Swift-Tuttle, which was discovered in 1862.  They peaks this year on the night of August 12 and the morning of August 13. The waxing crescent moon will set early in the evening, leaving dark skies for what should be an excellent show.