Observatory Circa 100 Yards South West Of Lilburn Tower

The Observatory near Lilburn Tower is a private 19th-century observatory on the Lilburn Estate in Northumberland, England, established in 1852 by the astronomer Edward John Collingwood.

About the Observatory

The observatory stands about 100 yards southwest of Lilburn Tower, part of the wider Lilburn Estate, whose mansion was built between 1828 and 1842. Together with the nearby Hurlestone Tower, the observatory forms part of a Grade II* listed group, reflecting the estate's historic and architectural importance.

History

Edward John Collingwood established the observatory in 1852, equipping it with a 6⅜-inch refractor on a cross-axis English mounting and a 4½-inch transit instrument, both made by the London instrument makers Troughton and Simms - high-quality equipment for a private observatory of its era.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits on the Lilburn Estate in Northumberland, England, in the rural countryside of northeast England.

Visiting the Observatory

As a private observatory on an estate, it is not generally open to the public; check with the estate or local heritage authorities before planning any visit.

See your named star from here

Collingwood's Troughton and Simms instruments were built for precisely fixing a star's place in the sky - the same principle behind the right ascension and declination on a Star Register certificate. Name a star or browse the catalogue to find yours.