FOUR GREAT STAR GAZING GETAWAYS FROM PREMIER COTTAGES
01/01/2016
Inspired by Stargazing Live to view the “dark skies”? Then Premier Cottages (www.premiercottages.co.uk) has four great short break suggestions where stellar vistas and perfect starry skies are virtually guaranteed.
Cheviot Holiday Cottages, Northumberland
Cheviot Holiday Cottages offers nine luxury cottages sleeping two to six in four acres of mature grounds within the Northumberland National Park.
Northumberland Interntional Dark Sky Park was unveiled in December 2013. At nearly 1,500 square kilometres, it’s Europe’s largest area of protected night sky. Due to its pristine skies it was awarded gold tier designation by the International Dark Sky Association, making it officially the best place in England for people to go to enjoy the heavens.
Local star gazing events are arranged by the National Park and the properties are also within reach of the Kielder Observatory (http://kielderobservatory.org) where expert guidance and tuition is readily on hand.
A three-night break for in Cheviot Holiday Cottages’ The Coach House for two arriving 18 March costs £480. For more information visit www.premiercottages.co.uk or call the owner on call 01665 578236
Kernock Cottages, Cornwall with on site telescope and planispheres
Set in 25 acres of mature gardens and woodland in the Lynher Valley, between Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor, Kernock Cottages offers accommodation in five luxurious detached barns that are perfectly located for exploring both Devon and Cornwall.
The cottages are in a “dark skies” area with no light pollution, making them ideal for a star gazing break. Kernock Cottages also has a Celestron Astromaster 114 reflector telescope, along with planispheres and stargazing guides enabling guests to get fantastic views of the area’s crystal clear night skies.
A three night stay in Kernock Cottages’ Tree Barn for four guests arriving 5 February costs £468. For more information visit www.premiercottages.co.uk or call the owner on 01579 350435.
Coulscott House, Devon
Premier Cottage’s Coulscott House offers six cottages sleeping two to ten on Exmoor, one of the first designated dark sky reserves. The night views are fantastic from here and as the property is mile outside the village there is no light pollution. There are also no other properties within a quarter of a mile of Coulscott.
Enjoy the night sky from one of the four hot tubs. Guests have the chance to see satellites, meteorites, the Milky Way, constellations, planets and a huge number of stars. Exmoor National Park is just up the hill, half a mile away and was granted Interntional Dark-sky reserve status by the International Dark Sky Association in 2011.
A three night break in Coulscott House’s Bantam Cottage for two arriving 26 February costs £326. For more information visit www.premiercottages.co.uk or call the owner on 01271 883339.
Beechcroft, East Sussex
A idyllic rural retreat, Beechcroft offers four picturesque beamy cottages strewn beside a lake and sleeping two to six people. The exceptional five-star ‘Gold Award’ cottages command superb views across a small lake to rolling countryside and are perfectly positioned to explore the multitude of ancient castles, renowned open gardens and National Trust properties.
Star-gazers can head to the nearby Observatory Science Centre (www.the-observatory.org) to look at fascinating deep sky objects. The six domes of the Observatory Science Centre houses historic telescopes, three of which are open to the public during the day. On Open Evenings and Themed Evenings two of the telescopes closed to the public during the day are opened and weather permitting, are available to look through.
A three night stay in Beechcroft’s The Byre for four arriving 5 February costs £512. For more information visit www.premiercottages.co.uk or call the owner on 01435 830316.