Member News
Boutique Northumberland hotel, The Tempus, tucked away on the grounds of Charlton Hall Estate, has expanded its ‘noctourism' offering with the launch of a new Self-Guided Star Bathing Experience.
Quick to respond to growing demand for high-end nocturnal travel experiences, the accredited Dark Sky destination located within Northumberland’s internationally designated Dark Sky Park – one of the largest of its kind in Europe and the biggest in the UK – already offers guests Guided Stargazing stays, led by the expert team of astronomers from nearby Kielder Observatory.
Building on the popularity of these, the new Star Bathing Self-Guided Experience has been designed to give guests the opportunity to enjoy the Gold Tier Skies in their own time, at their own pace, from a range of unique settings across the estate grounds.
This includes cosy Lake Cabins with handcrafted William Holland outdoor spa baths and uninterrupted views over the lakeside, along with spacious hot tub rooms with private terraces in the Farmhouse, The Lookout and Stable Cottage, several of which are dog friendly.
Helping guests to make the most of the many night sky wonders, which can include the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), will be a bespoke Star Bathing hamper containing printed guide, star charts by Northumberland National Park and red-light torches to enable guests to find their way about safely without affecting their night vision.
Also included in the hamper will be blankets, warming drinks such as hot chocolate or herbal tea, mugs and a guide to some of the best free stargazing apps for identifying the constellations and planets visible on any one night. In the event of wet weather, ponchos will also be provided.
Elain Meenaghan, Director of Sales at The Doxford Group, said: ‘With appreciation for dark skies growing at pace both globally and locally, our guided stargazing stays have gone from strength to strength since they were first introduced in 2024. So it feels like the next natural step to introduce a new self-guided experience, offering guests the freedom to enjoy the magic of our skies outside of set event dates, aided by our specially curated Star Bathing hamper.
‘It’s an invitation to stargazers of all levels, beginners included, to slow down, switch off and soak up the night skies in all their beauty, before returning to the warmth and comfort of indoors to relax and reflect on an unforgettable evening.’
Guests looking to take advantage of new Star Bathing Self-Guided Experience, which is thought to be an exclusive offering among Northumberland hotels, can do so directly online at www.thetempus.co.uk or by ringing Reservations on 01665 579173.
