Celebration of Kelling Heath's Dark Skies

9/6/2010

Kelling Heath Holiday Park on the North Norfolk coast is anticipating its busiest Star Party ever when the astral event comes to the Park on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September.

The Star Parties are held bi annually at the Park, attracting hundreds of professional and amateur stargazers together with local residents, wanting to take advantage of the clear skies over Kelling Heath. The event includes a variety of informative talks from leading academics in the field of astronomy, as well as the rare opportunity to enjoy the unspoilt views of the night sky.

All 300 camping and touring pitches on the 250 acre Park have been fully booked for the event for some time and some of the luxury holiday homes and woodland lodges have also been booked by Star Party-goers.

Andrew Robertson, Planetary Section Director for the Society for Popular Astronomy, says: “There’s much excitement surrounding the Autumn Star Party and Kelling is a fantastic location. With no light pollution surrounding the Park accessibility is perfect for stargazing, which is why the Star Party returns to Kelling each year rather than more remote areas of Scotland or Wales. The autumn party is generally regarded as the biggest and best star party in the UK. In fact, last September there were over a hundred people queuing up from 7am to reserve their spot for this year’s event!”

Amateur stargazers and members of the public will enjoy some of the best celestial views in England during the event which sees the natural marriage between stargazing and Kelling Heath; a holiday park which provides back to nature relaxing breaks for a holiday in harmony with nature on the north Norfolk coast.

As well as deep dark skies and uninterrupted stargazing, guests can enjoy relevant exhibitions and trade stands on Park, along with the chance to pick up second-hand bargains at the ‘Astro Boot’.

Mark Durrant Park Manager at Kelling Heath commented: It’s an amazing event and we are delighted that the night skies visible from Kelling Heath are perfect for this event. Many of our guests marvel on just how many stars can be seen from Kelling, something which they are unable to enjoy if they come from urban areas, we work very hard to ensure we minimise light pollution on the estate.”

“The large numbers of guests that attend the star walks we offer as part of our seasonal activity programme are testament to the quality of the night skies we enjoy here” said Mr. Durrant.

Members of the public who wish to experience the event are welcome and should call at Kelling Heath Reception for information on arrival.