A stargazing festival is set to return to the North Pennines this autumn

The eighth North Pennines Stargazing Festival will take place from October 25 to November 3, with a variety of events planned throughout half-term.

The festival is part of the celebration of the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark's dark skies.

A range of activities are set to take place, including stargazing nights at Grassholme Observatory, stargazing suppers at High Force and the Lord Crewe Hotel, a star camp weekend, a guided dark skies run, and a stargazing train on the Weardale Railway.

Shane Harris, responsible tourism lead with the North Pennines National Landscape team, said: "The festival is now in its eighth year, and it goes from strength to strength.

"We have a range of events across the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark, which we hope will appeal to local people and visitors.

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"The North Pennines is the darkest mainland national landscape and is one of the best places in the UK to enjoy stargazing.

"Our annual festival is designed to make it easy for people to celebrate the area’s fabulous starry skies."

Family-friendly events are also planned, with an evening of stars, stories, and nature discoveries at Low Birk Hatt Farm on October 28, stargazing at Weardale Railway on October 29, and family astronomy at Grassholme Observatory on November 2.

The Star Camp will return to Doe Park Caravan Site from October 25 to 27.

The camp, led by Richard Darn and Neill Sanders from Go Stargazing, is aimed at novice astronomers and children aged six and over.

It will feature stargazing, themed talks, solar observing, and a bottle rocket competition.

The North Pennines National Landscape team will also be sharing astronomy tips and blogs on social media throughout the week to provide people with handy stargazing tips, advice, and things to look out for in the night sky, and to inspire stay-at-home stargazers.

The full programme can be found at www.NorthPenninesStarFest.org.