Award-winning Northumberland hotel and restaurant Battlesteads, near Wark, is inviting visitors to discover Britain’s brilliant dark skies at its Dark Sky Observatory during the National Parks Dark Skies Festival.

Taking place from Saturday 18 to Sunday 26 February, the National Parks Dark Skies Festival is now in its second year and aims to encourage more people to discover the fantastic stargazing opportunities in Britain.

Battlesteads, the only hotel in the UK with an on-site observatory, is offering budding astrologers the chance to enjoy a two or three-night break at the hotel, with tickets to the observatory and the hotel’s famous 8-course local produce tasting menu, from just £95 per room, per night.

The observatory is a Designated Dark Sky Discovery Site, meaning it’s one of the few places in the UK free enough from light pollution to see the Milky Way with the naked eye or even watch the Northern Lights.

Events and courses take place at the observatory throughout the year, from ‘get to know your telescope’ sessions to aurora hunting and deep sky astro-photography, with something for all levels of stargazer.

Katie Meyrick-Scott, general manager of Battlesteads Hotel said: "Since opening our observatory in 2015, we’ve been offering guests the chance to discover the beauty of Northumberland’s dark skies, which offer some of the best stargazing in the country. Our exclusive two and three-night packages, including bed and breakfast, observatory tickets and 8-course tasting menu, are available throughout the week of the National Parks Dark Skies Festival and throughout March."

Two night's bed and breakfast with an 8-course tasting menu on the first night and observatory tickets to use on the second night start from £95 per person, based on two sharing. A three-night package is available from £137.50 per person.

Both packages can be upgraded to accommodation in one of Battlesteads’ five new luxury eco lodges for £30 per room per night, and matched wines can be added to the tasting menu for £25 per person.

Award-winning Northumberland hotel and restaurant Battlesteads, near Wark, has completed a £400,000 refurbishment of its restaurant, including a brand-new extension.

The new extension has added more lounge-style seating and dining space, increasing the restaurant capacity by 40 covers and creating an area perfectly designed for private dining and small parties.

Designed by Nanu Soda, the refurbishment has also transformed the existing restaurant and bar, giving it a stylish, cosy and contemporary new look while remaining in-keeping with the history and heritage of the former 18th century farmhouse building.

Battlesteads Restaurant is open to both hotel residents and non-resident guests, serving seasonal menus which feature only the very best local Northumbrian and home-grown produce.

From light lunches to Battlesteads’ famed eight-course tasting menu, head chef Eddie Shilton sources prime local ingredients for maximum freshness and flavour, with seasonal vegetables, salads and herbs grown in Battlesteads’ own two-acre gardens and polytunnels.

Katie Meyrick-Scott, general manager of Battlesteads Hotel said: "We are delighted with the new restaurant extension, which allows us not only to welcome even more diners to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner, but also creates a space for private dining. The extension can be sectioned off from the main restaurant, so it’s a great size with a fantastic atmosphere for small family parties or get-togethers."