Accessibility Guide for Kielder Observatory

Welcome

Kielder Observatory is a centre for outreach in astronomy located in Kielder Forest, Northumberland, nestled in one of the largest expanse of protected Dark Sky in Europe. The observatory aims to encourage interest and understanding in astronomy with the intention of bringing the wonders of the universe to our guests, enabling people from all walks of life and levels of interest to access the visual splendour of our dark skies.

Our visitors have the opportunity to use telescopes and learn about astronomy with our astronomers, see and touch meteorites, or simply sit in comfort on our deck and marvel at the vista overhead, be it the Moon, the Milky Way, star clusters or even shooting stars.

Level access

The main entrance has level access.

There is level access from the main entrance to:

Main classroom Indoor toilet GDAIA Sir Patrick Moore Observatory Top of the track near car park Decking area

Hearing

Some staff have disability awareness training.

Visual

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

General

We have a concessionary rate for disabled visitors.

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.

Some staff have disability awareness training.

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Getting here

Black Fell

Off Shilling Pot

Kielder

NE48 1EJ

Travel by public transport

Kielder Observatory is situated in Northumberland, close to the Scottish border, within the Kielder Water and Forest Park. It is situated 2 miles from Kielder Village and Reservoir and 55 miles North West of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, our nearest city. It is not accesible by public transport, however a few local taxi firms serve the area.

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with Bellingham Taxi by calling 01434 250457. You can get a taxi with Tarset Taxi by calling 01434240835 or 07711 400152.

Parking

We have a car park. There are accessible parking spaces. The parking is less than 50 metres from the main entrance. Parking is free.

There is a drop-off point at the main entrance. The drop-off point has a dropped kerb.

From the car park to the entrance, there is level access. The path is sloped.

The route is 3700mm wide, or more.

The free accessible car park and access track surface is compacted stone. The car park is approx. 100m from the observatory however there is a drop off space directly outside the entrance, as well as a disabled parking space. Please let us know if you need any assistance when you book.

Arrival

Path to main entrance

From the street to the main entrance, there is level access.

The path is 3700mm wide, or more.

The path is sloped.

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.

The door is 770mm wide.

The main door is side hung and manual.

All rooms and areas of the observatory are fully wheelchair accessible with the exception of one of the two telescope turrets which has 6 steps leading to it.

If you have any specific questions about our accessibility, please feel free to give us a call so that we can help you plan your visit.

Getting around inside

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

Things to See and Do

We have a concessionary rate for disabled visitors.

We have performances with: relaxed.

We have a designated quiet space.

Main classroom

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 3700mm wide, or more. The door is 950mm wide.

Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

There is a hearing loop.

Some videos have subtitles.

Presentation during the event will be given in this room, sometimes described as the main classroom. This part of the facilities is fully accessible to wheelchair users.

Public toilet

Indoor toilet

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The route is 1500mm wide, or more.

The toilet door is 880mm wide.

The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the front only.

There is 1400mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 510mm high. The toilets have handrails.

The access to this toilet is relatively flat, and is made of compacted sand and stone. The floor of the toilet is made of concrete.

Shop

GDAIA

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. The route is 3700mm wide, or more. The door is 800mm wide.

The route through the shop is 800mm wide, or more.

The GDAIA (Gillian Dickinson Astroimaging Academy) is also host to our kitchen facilities and gift shop area. It is fully accessible.

Sir Patrick Moore Observatory

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1170mm wide, or more.

The door is 780mm wide.

This is our main observation turret and is fully accessible to wheelchair users.

Entrance to the Sir Patrick Moore turret

Getting around outside

Top of the track near car park

From the main entrance to the smoking area, there is level access.

Our smoking area is situated about 50 meters away from the building, to reduce fire risk and for the enjoyment of the events of other guests. A cigarette butt bin is provided.

Decking area

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1170mm wide, or more. The entrance is 1170mm wide.

This stargazing decking area benefit from low red light lighting at any timeand is fully accessible.

Customer care support

We provide audio system that can be requested to staff member on arrival.

Assistance dogs are welcome on the premises and the nearest dog toilet area is near the car park, only 50/100m away from the main buildings.

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Our evacuation procedure will be presented to you upon arrival. We are also equipped with a sliding evacuation mattress.

Customer care support

Some staff have disability awareness training.