The Lake District’s first public observatory and planetarium has opened.
The new Grizedale Observatory and Planetarium is the result of an partnership between Forestry England and GF Productions Ltd.
Housed in the iconic Yan building in Grizedale Forest, the observatory offers a purpose-built observatory with state-of-the-art equipment and immersive planetarium shows bringing the wonders of the universe to life.
Alison Leyshon, recreation business manager for Forestry England, said: “The new Grizedale Observatory creates a truly magical experience where the beauty of the forest meets the wonder of the cosmos.
“It also adds to the forest’s value as a year-round, all weather visitor attraction, and as a must-visit destination for learning and adventure.
Gary Fildes, director at Grizedale Observatory and Planetarium, added: “This is a unique environment and a national treasure.
“Adding this wonderful facility to the many successful visitor attractions in the Lake District National Park will give visitors an opportunity to cement their connection to the landscapes during the day and now the universe in the evening.”
Located between Windermere and Coniston Water, visitors can enjoy breath-taking daytime views across to the Coniston fells and Langdales before turning their gaze upward as night falls.
Expert-led experiences include bookable dark sky events, drop-in family activities including meteorite handling, and specialist talks connecting audiences of all ages to astronomy.
Dark sky tourism has grown across the county over recent years, with Forestry England Grizedale a key part of the annual Cumbria Dark Skies festivals held each autumn, with the observatory now serving as a permanent focal point for future events celebrating the dark skies of the Lake District National Park World Heritage Site.
