Stargazing at Matfen Hall
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 Spring stargazing and use your in-room telescope to explore the night skies from the comfort of your luxurious suite.
THE VIEW FROM YOUR WINDOW – SPRING 2026
Overlooking our 300-acre grounds, your window faces due south.
Use our sky chart to explore the night sky and use our guide below to discover more about the key constellations and celestial sights of Spring.
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!
Leo
The fifth sign of the Zodiac, Leo prowls centre stage in our northern skies during the spring months.
A famous constellation there are many myths and legends attached to leo, the lion. Perhaps the most well-known is the tale of the Nemean Lion. A ferocious beast with a protective golden mane, its defeat was the first of the 12 Labours of Hercules. Leo was also significant to the ancient Egyptians, who associatd the constellation with the annual flooding of the River Nile, which took place when the sun entered Leo.
One of the most recognisable constellations, Leo is in the centre of the sky as you look out.
Coma Berenices
A small constellation with a romantic but little-known story, Coma Berenices is located just to the right of the bright star, Arcturus.
‘Coma Bernenices’ means ‘Berenice’s hair’ in Latin and comes from the tale of Queen Berenice II of Egypt. Her husband, Ptlomey III was embarking on a dangerous mission to Syria, avenging the murder of his sister. To ensure his safe return, Berenice sacrificed a lock of her hair, which was transferred to the heavens – forming a new constellation which we can see today.
Virgo
Another sign of the zodiac, Virgo’s appearance in our skies heralds the onset of spring.
Many associate Virgo with Persephone, daughter of Demeter the Greek goddess of the harvest.
Kidnapped by Hades, Persephone lives four months of the year in the underworld. During this time, Demeter’s grief at the loss of her daughter causes crops to wither. Her return marks the start of springtime and first blossoms and blooms of the year.
Virgo lies to the left of the night sky as you gaze out. Look for Spica, a blue star which sits at the base of the constellation.
Corvus
Corvus, ‘the crow’ is a small constellation, beloved for being relatviely easy to spot in spring skies.
Sittling just beneath the star, Spica, its compact boxy shape is simple to trace. And as Spica means ‘ear of wheat’ in latin it’s easy to imagine a crow waiting to snatch the wheat from Virgo.
Its visiblity has earned Corvus a number of myths and stories. Early Greeks saw the constellation as a cupbaearer to the sungod Apollo, whilst in ancient China the constellation was an imperial chariot riding on the wind.
Hydra
The largest constellation in the skies, Hydra snakes its way 100 degrees from east to west.
Hydra means ‘the watersnake’ and is thought to represent the multi-headed monster of Greek myth. Another ferocious beast battled by Hercules, the Hydra famously had nine heads, though only one was immortal.
In springtime, its remaining head is visible to the right of Leo as you look out.
THE VIEW FROM THE TERRACE – SPRING 2026
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.