Stars over the sea in coastal Northumberland

The perfect time of year for stargazing is during the autumn and winter months, when the nights draw in.

And the best place in England to see the stars?  The beautiful county of Northumberland.

As well as a series of astronomical events taking place in Northumberland's International Dark Sky Park (an area covering 1500 sq km, incorporating Kielder Water & Forest Park and Northumberland National Park) there are also some not-to-be-missed star gazing events for all the family taking place on the north Northumberland coast over the next few months, courtesy of Northumberland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The North East coast is also renowned as being one of the best spots outside Norway to catch a glimpse of the spectacular Aurora Borealis, colloquially known as the Northern Lights.

So why not take a short break in this lovely part of the world and combine everything that coastal Northumberland has to offer - magnificent scenery, majestic castles, tasty local food, beautiful beaches, great walks and wildlife – with an exhilarating star-studded show!

Coastal star gazing events are listed below and you'll find excellent, welcoming hotels, warm, friendly coastal inns full of good cheer and a great range of good quality, comfortable cottages to suit all budgets.

The Lindisfarne Inn (lindisfarneinn.co.uk) or the Bamburgh Castle Inn (bamburghcastlehotel.co.uk), both excellent hotels nearby offering delicious food, drink and good cheer.  Both of these establishments, as well as The Hogshead Inn at nearby Alnwick (hogsheadinnalnwick.co.uk) are offering dinner, bed and breakfast for just £49.95 per person, per night, from November 1 until March 31.

After all that sea air, you could return relaxed and refreshed to the nearby beautiful Doxford Hall Hotel and Spa (doxfordhall.com)  set in beautiful Northumbrian private estate and surrounded by lovely countryside where you can dine in style at the George Runciman restaurant (2AA rosette).

If you prefer the freedom of your own place, then you can find a range of lovely well equipped cottages throughout the County. Northumbria Coast and Country Cottages (northumbria-cottages.co.uk) offer over 400 cottages that they can whittle down for you to suit your requirements. Cottages in Northumberland (cottagesinnorthumberland.co.uk) have an excellent choice of great cottages to suit all budgets and have regular special offers.

Great pubs by the sea to stay in – or simply to enjoy their delicious locally produced food including freshly caught fish and seafood include The Ship Inn at Low Newton, which also brews its own beer (shipinnnewton.co.uk) or the Jolly Fisherman at Craster thejollyfishermancraster.co.uk  where multi award winning chef serves up an array of freshly cooked produce including their famous crab soup and  rib eye steaks.

Northumberland is renowned for its delicious locally produced food and throughout the area you'll find   fresh seafood including the famous Craster kippers, Lindisfarne Oysters, venison and game birds, hill lamb, beef, poultry, heritage potatoes, asparagus, strawberries, real ale, mead, rum and more.

Here are the astronomical events arranged by the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership and led by NASTRO (Northumberland Astronomical Society) so far this autumn/winter. Events are free but donations to NASTRO are welcome.

Thursday 27 November 2014 at Barn at Beal, Beal, Northumberland, TD15 2PF barnatbeal.com 7.00 pm

Friday 5 December 2014, Bamburgh Pavilion, NE69 7DF, 6.00 pm

January/February TBC Lindisfarne Castle, Holy Island of Lindisfarne

Wednesday 21st January 2015, Warkworth Golf Club NE65 0SW at 7.00pm

Friday 13th February 2015 Howick Village Hall at 7.00pm

Saturday 14th March 2015 Hunting Hall, Lowick TD15 2TP huntinghall.co.uk at 7.00pm

The events feature an indoor guided tour of the Solar System, a Laser guided tour of the night sky, a series of other short talks including guidance on photography and, weather permitting, an opportunity to observe the stars using a variety of telescopes. The evening is free, but booking is essential as spaces are limited.  Visit the Northumberland Coast AONB website to book now: northumberland.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=6869

All these coastal stargazing events are led by Dr Adrian Jannetta of NASTRO and are part of the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership's objective to raise awareness of the importance of the area's dark skies.

For more information on Northumberland Coast star gazing events and Northumberland Coast AONB, please contact Jessica Turner, email: Jessica.turner[at]northumberland.gov.uk.

For more information on star gazing events throughout Northumberland Dark Sky Park during 2014-2015, please go to  visitnorthumberland.com/darkskies/experiences.