Back to map

i

Stonehaugh Stargazing Pavilion

Newcastle University School of Architecture, 2014

A pavilion for stargazers and nature watchers in Kielder Forest

Read more

Media Gallery

See more

What's your perspective?

We want to see your photos of your visit to Kielder. Be creative and have fun!

See the photos

Have your say

Let us know what you think about this piece of art.

Add your comment

Students at Newcastle University's School of Architecture worked with Kielder Art & Architcture and the Stonehaugh village community to design and build a new pavilion for star gazers and nature watchers. Initiated as part of Kielder Art & Architecture's Testing Ground programme, the students worked with the community from autumn 2012, first presenting their recycling project 'Superuse', and subsequently developing designs for a star gazer's pavilion to be the focus for Stonehaugh's Dark Sky Discovery Site. The project was finished in late May 2014 and officially launched on July 9th.

Watch a short film about the project here.

See more films and photography

View our Flickr gallery

Stonehaugh Stargazing Pavilion is sited close to Stonehaugh village in Northumberland, on the edge Kielder Water & Forest Park.

From the direction of Hexham, follow the B6320 approximately 9 miles towards Kielder Water & Forest Park. After turning left where Stonehaugh is signposted and follow this road for 5 miles until Stonehaugh is signposted to the right. Follow this road for 1 mile into the village. The pavilion in just past the village on the left.

From Wark village, follow the road out of the village east towards Stonehaugh. After approximately 5 miles take a left turn signed to Stonehaugh. The pavilion will be seen ahead after approximately 1/3 mile. 

Please park in the picnic site parking area at the bottom of the hill by the river.

Satnav users can use NE48 3DZ as a destination postcode.

We initiated a development process with the community enabling them to identified the best location for the structure, and using that information, the students developed a number of concept proposals for that site.

Their proposals were presented to the community who were tasked with deciding which of these ideas they would like to take forward. Community involvement was strong and ideas and opinions were forthcoming, resulting in the current design being chosen and subsequently receiving planning permission.

Community presentations and discussions

Surveying the site started in November and the foundations were poured in December.

Setting out the site

Pouring the foundations

The first frames going in

Closing the gap..

Very muddy but signs of spring approaching

Good advice from the community

The outdoor workshop appears

Laying the Aquadyne

Liam stonewalls

The seats start to get fabricated...

...and pathwork too...

...more seats and many more screws.

Graham working in the Stonehaugh suntrap

and relax.