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Stargazing
At Matfen Hall

The view from your window is one of the clearest in the country.

Nestled at the gateway to Northumberland’s International Dark Sky Park, the skies above our estate offer an astonishingly clear view of the cosmos. And there’s so much to see.

Follow our guide to summer stargazing and use your in-room telescope to explore the night skies from the comfort of your luxurious suite.

THE VIEW FROM YOUR WINDOW – SUMMER 2025

Overlooking our 300-acre grounds, your window faces due south.

Use our sky chart to explore the night sky and and use our guide below to discover more about the key constellations and celestial sights of summer.

Constellations and stars will gradually move from east to west as the season progresses – so if you can’t quite spot what you’re looking for, look slightly to the right as it might be on the move!

The Summer Triangle

One of the clearest sights of the season. The Summer Triangle is made up of the stars Deneb, Vega and Altair. Bright and easy to spot, even without a telescope, the Summer Triangle is in the centre of the sky as you look out.

A pattern formed from stars of three different constellations, the Summer Triangle is known as an ‘asterism’.

A glowing blue colour, Vega is the 5th brightest star in the sky, it forms part of Lyra – the harp constellation. Deneb forms part of Cygnus (the swan) while Altair is from Aquila (the eagle).

Cygnus & Aquila

From their bright song to the sight of swifts and swallows wheeling across the blue, the skies are alive with birds in the summer months.

And the same is true of the night sky. Each evening two great celestial birds take flight.

Cygnus, is in the centre of the sky. Its long neck and vast wings giving it its name – ‘the swan’ which is also associated with the Greek myth of Zeus and Leda. Deneb, the left corner star of The Summer Triangle, forms the head of Cygnus, making it easier to spot.

Aquila is slightly to the right – flying towards Cygnus. Known as ‘the eagle’, this constellation takes its name from the eagle of Greek mythology who carried the thunderbolts and messages of Zeus.

Hercules

The great hero of Greek myth is most visible in the summer months.

Look for a square formation of four stars to the right of Vega – this is the ‘keystone’, or the body of Hercules. You can then begin to chart his arms and legs.

The son of Zeus, and gifted with immense strength, Hercules also had a terrible temper. To atone for his misdeeds, he was given 12 tasks from the Oracle of Delphi – the completion of which raised him to true hero status.

The Northern Crown

Corona Borealis, also known as The Northern Crown, is a semi-circle of stars just to the right of Hercules. The constellation’s tiara shape gives it its name, and its central, brightest star is named ‘Gemma’ – the Latin word for jewel.

The Northern Crown is associated with the story of Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos and half-sister to the Cretan Minotaur. Abandoned on an island by Theseus, Ariadne fell in love with the god, Dionysus who presented her with a jewelled crown as a wedding gift. After her death, the immortal cast Ariadne’s crown into the sky – where it sits today.

The 13th Constellation

The most westerly constellation of this summer sky – Ophiucus is sometimes called the 13th constellation of the Zodiac.

It is visible to the right of Aquila and beneath The Northern Crown. Known as the serpent bearer, it is paired with the constellation, Serpens (the snake) which sits just above.

Ophiucus is often associated with Asclepius, the Greek god of healing who is said to have learned his craft from a snake.

THE VIEW FROM THE TERRACE – SUMMER 2025

Keen to see even more? Step outside and turn your gaze skyward for a full, 360 view of the night sky.

Northumberland International Dark Sky Park

Got the stargazing bug? Northumberland’s International Dark Sky Park is Europe’s largest area of protected night sky. And set in its centre is Kielder Observatory.

Book a bespoke experience, arriving by chauffeur for a guided stargazing experience, exploring the heavens with the observatory’s giant telescope.

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Stargazing
At Matfen Hall

The view from your window is one of the clearest in the country.