The Astronomy Centre is a major resource for both amateur astronomers and the general public. Based above Todmorden in the North West of England, we have facilities and on-site equipment for both members and visitors, plus in the future remote access via the Internet for members.
The site offers a good compromise providing a reasonably dark site, while remaining close to the major conurbations of Manchester and Leeds.
The Observatory is open to the public every Saturday evening from 7:30pm onwards. Visitors are advised to wrap up warmly, with sensible footwear, as the site can get very cold at any time of year. Donations of £2 per person admission
(children free but must be supervised) would be appreciated to help cover our
costs, though further donations are always welcome! Groups visits can also be made at other times by arrangement.
Please park on the lower plateau, next to the caravans. Access for unloading of telescopes etc. and disabled parking is available at the highest point of the site, next to the main dome. Further details are on our Location Information Page.
Membership of the Centre is £15 per year, which allows full access to the Web Site, including the discussion forums, full-resolution images from the ‘scope cameras etc. See the Membership Page for more details.
The picture above shows a view of the main observatory and on the left a smaller observatory housing… For scale, the main dome is about 8.5m (28ft) in diameter.