[4] Amateur astronomer Gary Fildes—who had been involved with the Star Camp—began advocating for an observatory to be built within the forest and led a campaign that raised several hundred thousand pounds to pay for construction.

Kielder Observatory was officially opened on 25 April, 2008 by Sir Arnold Wolfendale, the 14th Astronomer Royal,[5] and in its first year entertained approximately 1200 guests.

[6] The observatory also runs educational outreach activities in schools throughout the region via a project co-funded by various local authorities.

In 2019, Kielder Observatory was awarded funding and contract for delivery in the North of Tyne Combined Authority[7] district.

This project is intended to educate the general public on Radio Astronomy and assist teaching programmes in schools.