Visit a ‘pop-up planetarium’ in Allendale Village Hall, near Hexham, on Monday 23rd October, for a fabulous journey through the universe. You’ll tour our solar system before heading through the Milky Way to other galaxies. Admission is free and showings (lasting 45 minutes) start at 11am, noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.
Bring your telescopes, cameras and bags of enthusiasm for ‘A Night with Gary Fildes’, founder and director of the Kielder Observatory. Gary is the astronomer who had a dream to build an observatory, where people could come along and enjoy the night sky, and he’s guided the facility to its current status as the UK’s premier dark sky astronomical observatory. Gary uses his years of experience to guide you through the cosmos and out to its most distant regions, using the telescopes, computers and dark skies to create a wonderful night. (12th and 26th October, as well as dates in November and December.)
Head to the Wentworth Leisure Centre in Hexham on 17th October for an Antiques and Vintage Fair with over one hundred stands, including ceramics, jewellery, tools, books, postcards, vintage lighting and decorative furnishings.
The fabulous Druridge Bay is the venue for a 10k bird-spotting walk on Wednesday 18th October. Join local bird expert Tom Cadwallender on the guided walk from Cresswell Pond to Hauxley Nature Reserve, Amble, to identify the many different birds that can be found along this stretch of coastline. You can book your place online, £5 per ticket.
Join an Autumn Scavenger Hunt on Saturday/Sunday 21st/22nd October at Howick Hall, Alnwick. See how many autumn treasures you can collect. You can then get crafty and make a picture or piece of art from your spoils.
Keen on archaeology? Then make your way to the Queen’s Hall in Hexham on Saturday 21st October for a special one-day conference – The Hadrian’s Wall Archaeology Forum – featuring talks about new discoveries in the area. Subjects include the ongoing excavations at Vindolanda, and new investigations at Benwell and Piercebridge.
Join Jason Friend, award-winning landscape photographer on a special one-day tuition course at Hauxley, near Amble, on beautiful Druridge Bay. Any level of experience welcome and any type of camera. Book online for the event, which will be held on Sunday 22nd October.
Join the ultimate, feel-good party at Mamma Mia! The world’s sunniest and most exhilarating smash-hit musical comes to the Sunderland Empire Theatre from 17th October. (Special rates available for groups of six or more.)