It has been almost a year since the skies above the North East and many other parts of the UK were lit up in what was named a "once in a generation" display of the Northern Lights.
In May 2024, the most powerful geomagnetic storm since 1989 hit and resulted in an incredible aurora show bursting with colour, the likes of which had never been seen in living memory for most viewing it from the UK. With the sun still going through a period of high activity known as solar maximum and Northern Lights activity picking up once again following the spring equinox, there's still a good chance of catching another display as the anniversary of this unforgettable event approaches.
Whether you're planning to go all-out on your next Northern Lights hunt with a trip abroad or want to stay right here in the North East - which, as the home of some of the darkest skies in Europe, isn't a bad shout - there are plenty of options when it comes to putting yourself in with the best chance of seeing a spectacular show again this year. Here are some of the best options when it comes to taking a Northern Lights holiday.
Fly abroad
To be in with the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights, experts recommend travelling to high-latitude destinations near the Arctic Circle. This includes parts of Scandinavia such as northern Norway and Sweden, as well as Iceland, the Lapland region of Finland, Greenland, and Canada.
At this time of year, you can fly from Newcastle Airport to Stavanger in Norway, as well as Bergen during the summer season from the end of May. However, these cities are often too far south to be in with a good chance of seeing the aurora - much further north, the city of Tromsø is dubbed "the main hub for Northern Lights trips" by Visit Norway.
Both Stavanger and Bergen are more than a full 24 hours away by car to Tromsø, but you can fly directly between Bergen and Tromsø within a couple of hours on selected days. Meanwhile, if you hang on until the winter months, you can also fly from Newcastle to Iceland in October, November, February and March, and from Newcastle to Lapland in November and December.
Take a cruise
If you want to head abroad to see the Northern Lights, you can also choose to cruise from the North East to some of the best spots for aurora shows. Fred Olsen is one of the biggest operators of these trips, running Norwegian Fjords cruises from the Port of Tyne in North Shields this April and May, as well as an Exploring Iceland cruise in May.
You can find a full list of cruise ships coming to the Port of Tyne this year here.
Keep it local
Finally, while many Northern Lights hunters jet off abroad in pursuit of a display, you often have a decent chance of catching them right here on our shores without even leaving the North East.
Northumberland National Park, home to the world-renowned Kielder Observatory, is officially recognised by the International Dark Sky Association as being one of the best places in Europe for stargazing. On a clear night here you can see thousands of stars, the Milky Way and even the Andromeda Galaxy 2.5 million light years away with the naked eye, which also makes for prime viewing of the Northern Lights if and when they make an appearance.
If you're looking to make a holiday out of your aurora hunting, Northumberland rivals the overseas destinations for an unforgettable trip with its miles of unspoilt countryside, stunning award-winning beaches, historic castles, charming market towns, and loads more to explore.
It's worth checking out Northumberland holiday cottage stays around Kielder and the National Park area, which offer the chance to enjoy a rural escape where you're in a prime position to dash out in the event of any Northern Lights alerts. Here are some of the closest cottage stays near Kielder available to book now on the likes of Sykes Cottages and Holiday Cottages:
- Otterstone Cottage - A two-bedroom former shepherd's cottage over 200 years old with views over Kielder Water
- Allan's Cottage - A two-bedroom holiday home with a long garden perfect for stargazing
- Kielder Castle Cottage - A two-bedroom woodland cottage opposite Kielder Castle
- Kielder Kip House - A three-bedroom stay described as 'the perfect base for an active holiday'
- Hartam House - A three-bedroom detached cottage in the village of Falstone at the base of Kielder Water with forest and river views
- Gowanlea - A two-bedroom cottage near Falstone with a telescope in the master bedroom for keen stargazers
- Fox View Cottage -A three-bedroom stone-built cottage near Falstone with a patio hot tub.
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