Kielder Observatory
Charles Barclay Architects, 2008
Like the deck of a ship sailing above the landscape, the Observatory provides astronomers with a permanent facility in the heart of Northumberland. Famed for having the darkest night skies in England thanks to minimal light pollution, Kielder Water & Forest Park is a star gazers’ heaven and the Observatory offers exciting opportunities for those with an interest in learning more about the night sky.
The Observatory is run by the Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society (KOAS) who have developed an access programme to enable people to find out more about astronomy, visit the building and use the astronomical equipment. This programme covers all levels of interest and includes both night and daytime events
Those wishing to visit the Observatory during the day can park in the Skyspace/Observatory parking signposted off the C200 and walk up the forest road (around 1.25 miles/2 km and taking up to an hour) to the Observatory from which there also excellent views of Kielder Water & Forest Park.
Please note that there is a vehicular barrier beyond the C200 car park. You can obtain a key at Kielder Castle Visitor Centre to make it possible to drive as far as the Skyspace (approximately 1 mile/1.6 km), however, vehicular access beyond this point is then restricted to times when astronomy events are being held.
Kielder Observatory can also be accessed by following the Lonesome Pine red grade mountainbike trail and from Skyspace cycling uphill on the forest road for a further 0.5 miles. Return is via forest road to the start of Skydive section of singletrack, where you then follow Lonesome Pine trail back to Kielder Village.
Kielder Observatory was created by Charles Barclay Architects with the ambition to provide a dramatic yet sympathetic base for astronomers on the high fells overlooking Kielder Water & Forest Park. The structure resembles both a pier and a ship and is constructed mostly from timber. Charles Barclay wanted to create a building that did not carry the design features one might expected in an observatory, particularly domes, that might imply imply that this is a place for specialists only, while the facility was specifically created to encourage members of the public to become involved in the science of astronomy. The actual design is more ambiguous, with its square turrets only revealing their purpose once the building is in use, the shutters open and the turrets rotated.
In the main part of the building, the shapes of the roof and skirts have been designed to reflect the gradient of the hills that form its backdrop, and the Siberian Larch cladding to slowly change colour to silver-grey like the remains of trees that cover the surrounding landscape.
Charles Barclay Architects beat 227 other entrants to win the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) competition set up to select a design team. Since completion, Kielder Observatory has won an RIBA Award, a Civic Trust Award, a Hadrian Award, and a Wood Award.
You can visit the Observatory at any time and walk around the decking – the spectacular views from here are best in summer while the winter nights are darker and better for star gazing. However, the turrets and astronomical equipment can only be accessed during specific events. The Observatory is run by the Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society (KOAS) who have developed an access programme to enable people to find out more about astronomy, visit the building and use the astronomical equipment. This programme covers all levels of interest and includes both night and daytime events.
Charles Barclay Architects are based south of the river in London and featured in the Architecture Foundation’s New Architects 2, a compilation of the best emerging practices in the UK. CBA’s design approach emerges from a careful appraisal of the site, the brief and the clients’ aspirations for the project. They are adept at maximising the opportunities for outstanding projects, paying great attention to detail during the construction process and understanding that an architectural project is ultimately judged by the utility, elegance and rigour of the finished product.
The deck of the Observatory is a good place to gain an over view of Kielder Water & Forest Park. In the near distance (and passed on the way to the Observatory) is the Kielder Skyspace, a light sculpture by acclaimed American artist James Turrell. Views from the Observatory deck to the south east also include the upper part of Kielder Water, Bakethin Weir (site of Kielder Column), and Gowanburn farmhouse, the only remaining inhabited buildings that overlook the upper part of the lake.
To the north east across the valley rises the bulk of Deadwater Fell, easily recognisable by the RAF radar on its summit. The Scottish border runs across the top of Peel Fell, the hill seen immediately to the left of Deadwater. Visible as a small dark rectangle on the skyline and just to the right of the radar, is Specere, a shelter designed by renowned architect David Adjaye. Deadwater Fell is also the start point of the Deadwater mountainbike trail.