WITH the second England-wise lockdown underway and dark skies setting in earlier, stargazing can be the perfect Covid-secure hobby - but where are the North-East's best spots to gaze into the cosmos?

New research reveals where North-East residents should head if they want to take a break from daily life and instead immerse themselves into astronomy. 

UKCaravans4hire.com looked at the regions across the UK, revealing the North-East has 40 stargazing locations. 

Meanwhile, Yorkshire and the Humber has 33. 

The best time to go stargazing is in the days before, during and soon after a new moon.

Nights when there is no bright moon are the best for stargazing so head out around the remaining two new moons of the year, November 15 and December 14. 

But don't forget the Leonid meteor shower peaks tonight, November 17, and into the morning of November 18. 

The Leonids occur when the Earth passes through an area of space full of the debris left by Comet Tempel-Tuttle. The comet takes around 33 years to make one orbit around the Sun.

Gareth Irving, director of the caravan hire firm, said: “Enjoying your local area and taking in the natural beauty is something many of us take for granted, especially when it’s right on our doorstep. 

“Activities such as stargazing present an opportunity to explore our local areas in a new and immersive way, matching many people’s desire to improve their health and wellbeing whilst discovering the outdoors and getting closer to nature.

“It’s great to see just how many perfect stargazing spots there are as well as how many local authorities are now promoting their parks and outdoor spaces as stargazing spots.

"As autumn and winter present ideal stargazing conditions, there no better time for you to head out and stare at the stars, especially now that winter getaways are on hold.”

Where can I can in the North-East to catch the best views of the stars? 

This list was put together by Darlington-based stargazing site gostargazing.co.uk, which includes stargazing locations across the country. 

  • Allen Banks and Staward Gorge – National Trust

Near Ridley Hall, Bardon Mill, NE47 7BP

  • Allendale Golf Club

Near Sinderhope, Allendale, NE47

  • Alnmouth Beach

Alnmouth, Warkworth, NE66

  • Alwinton Car Park

Alwinton, Near Harbottle, NE65 7BQ

  • Balderhead Reservoir

Hunderthwaite, Near Cotherstone, DL12

  • Battlesteads Observatory

The Battlesteads Hotel, Wark, Northumberland, NE48 3LS

  • Blackhall Rocks Local Nature Reserve

Blackhall Colliery, Hartlepool, TS27 4AT

  • Bollihope Common

Hill End, Frosterley, DL13 2SY

  • Burnhope Reservoir

Wearhead, St Johns Chapel, DL13

  • Cawfields Quarry

Cawfields, Near Haltwhistle, Northumberland, NE49 9PJ

  • Clesketts Car Park

RSPB Geltsdale, Forest Head, CA8

  • Cow Green Reservoir

Upper Teesdale, Langdon Beck, DL12

  • Creswell Beach Car Park

Beach Road, Cresswell, NE61 5LF

  • Cygnus Observatory at Washington Wetland Centre

Washington Wetland Centre, Washington, Sunderland, NE38 8LE

  • Dunsten Steads Car Park

Dunsten Steads, Embleton, NE66 3DT

  • Elf Kirk Viewpoint

Near Tower Knowe Visitor Centre, Kielder Water, Northumberland, NE48 1BX

  • Elsdon Village Hall

Elsdon, Otterburn, NE19 1AA

  • Hamsterley Forest Visitor Centre

Hamsterley Forest, Bedburn, County Durham, DL13 3NL

  • Hauxley Nature Reserve and Observatory

Low Hauxley, Newcastle, NE65 0JR

  • Hawkhope Car Park

Hawkhope, Near Falstone, NE48

  • Hury Reservoir

Hury, Barnard Castle, DL12 9UU

  • Ingram Village Hall

Ingram, Near Powburn, NE66 4LT

  • Kielder Campsite

Kielder Village, Kielder, Northumberland, NE48 1ER

  • Kielder Observatory

Black Fell, Near Kielder Village, Northumberland, NE48

  • Kirknewton Village Hall

Kirknewton, Near Wooler, NE71 6XA

  • Knarsdale with Kirkhaugh Cairns Community Hall

Slaggyford, Brampton, CA8 7NP, North East

  • North Pennines Observatory

The Old School House, Allenheads, NE47 9HR

  • Pow Hill

Pow Hill Country Park, Edmundbuyers, DH8

  • Redesdale Arms

Horsley, Rochester, NE19 1TA

  • Rochester Roundhouse

Rochester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE19 1RH

  • Selset Reservoir

Grassholme, Near Mickleton, DL12

  • St Mary’s Island Car Park

Whitley Bay, Newcastle, NE26 4RS

  • Stonehaugh Stargazing Pavilion

Stonehaugh, Kielder Water Forest Park, Northumberland, NE48 3DZ

  • The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre

Bardon Mill, Hexham, NE47 7AN, North East

  • The Stell at Falstone

The Stell, Falstone, NE48 1AA

  • Tower Knowe Visitor Centre

Tower Knowe, Kielder, NE48 1BX

  • Twice Brewed Inn & Observatory

Bardon Mill, Hexham, NE47 7AN

  • Walltown Country Park

Walltown Quarry, Greenhead, CA8 7HF

  • Waskerley Reservoir Car Park

Waskerley, Stanhope, DH8 9DX

  • Wynyard Planetarium & Observatory

Thorpe Thewles, Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, TS21 3JG