to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
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2. Allenheads
NE47 9HR
Observatory at Allenheads Contemporary Arts (ACA), the Old School House. Open by arrangement. Contact: 01434 685040, alanshead@acart.org.uk
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Dark Skies Map
There are lots of great places to enjoy the night sky in the Durham Dales and North Pennines National Landscape .
They are easy to find, and some have star maps in place to help you find key stars and constellations. Some have 24-hour toilets and places to eat nearby. The sky you see from each place is the same, but each one is different.
Some of these places have been designated as 'Dark Sky Discovery Sites' because they are especially dark. To find out where, click on the numbered areas on the map below.
For further information about Durham's Dark Skies click here.
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3. Balderhead Reservoir
DL12 9UX
Take the minor road from the B6277 at Romaldkirk and follow signs to Balerhead Reservoir.
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6. Burnhope Reservoir
DL13 1DJ
Take one of the minor roads westwards from Cowshill or Wearhead. Park at the layby at the northern end of the dam and the Dark Skies Discovery Site is just through the gate.
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7. Allen Banks
NE47 7BP
Signposted from the A69 between Haydon Bridge and Bardon Mill.
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8. Cow Green Reservoir
DL12 0HX
Turn off the B6277 at Langdon Beck and follow signs to Cow Green Reservoir.
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9. Millshields
DH8 9PT
Millshields is signposted off the minor road that follows the north shore of Derwent Reservoir, just east of Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club.
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10. Grassholme Reservoir
DL12 0PW
Follow signs from the B6277 just north of Mickleton. The enterance to Grassholme is on the right. The Dark Skies Discovery Site is in the car park.
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11. Hamsterley Forest
DL13 3NL
Follow brown signs to Hamsterley Forest from the A68. The Dark Skies Discovery Site is located by the new bridge, below the cafe.
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12. Hury Reservoir
DL12 9UR
Take the minor road from the B6277 just north of Cotherstone signposted Hury and Blackton reservoirs. The Dark Skies Discovery Site is in the car park at the north of Hury Dam.
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13. Parkhead Station
DL13 2ES
Turn off the B6278 3 miles north of Stanhope.
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14. Pow Hill Country Park
DH8 9NU
Signposted from the B6306 between Edmundbyers and Blanchland.
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15. RSPB Geltsdale
CA87 2NJ
Turn off the A689 at Hallbankgate in front of the Belted Will pub. Follow this road to the RSPB Geltsdale reserve car park.
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4. Bowlees Visitor Centre
DL12 0XF
Take the B6277 from Middleton-in-Teesdale towards Alston. Bowlees Visitor Centre is about three miles along this road on the right. The Dark Skies Discovery Site is in the car park - follow the brown signs.
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5. Knarsdale Village Hall
CA8 7NP
Knarsdale is on the A689 between Brampton and Alson. The village hall is in the centre of the village and the Dark Skies Discovery Site is in the car park, at the back of the hall.
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1. Allendale Golf Course
NE47 9DH
Signposted from the B6295 south of Allendale Town in the East Allen Valley.
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16. Selset Reservoir
DL12 0PR
Signposted from the B6276 south west of Middleton-in-Teesdale. The Dark Skies Discovery Site is in the car park at the northern end of the dam.
