Let’s focus on our natural and historic attractions

May 9 2008 by Nicholas Craig, The Journal

I’VE been seeing stars. I was invited to a fascinating astronomical event – the launch of the Kielder Observatory – at the aptly-named Black Fell. Northumberland has some of the blackest, unpolluted skies in the UK.

Someone has been clever enough to create an intriguing, quirky resource that builds on the remarkable natural assets of Northumberland. It will fascinate sky watchers of all ages, and bring new visitors to explore the glorious land and waterscapes of Kielder, especially in the darker winter months.

I have long believed that our region would benefit most from a range of smaller attractions linking the major jewels such as the Alnwick Garden, Beamish, Hadrian’s Wall and Durham Cathedral.

There are now apparently 8,000 visitor attractions in the North East according to Information Britain. New gems such as the Kielder Observatory create a thread to pull the visitor through the counties, extending their time with us and boosting the region’s coffers.

The most successful of our many tourist mini-traps have evolved from the strengths of the people and the region. We have extraordinary gardens, theatres, art galleries and craft centres which grow because they fit so well with the peace and space which permeates much of our region. They provide a welcome relief from the anonymous theme parks that litter other UK regions.

According to the Council for the Protection of Rural England, Northumberland is the most tranquil county. With fewer people, there is far less light pollution. The Kielder Observatory suggests a novel way of appreciating its unique assets – looking upwards in the dark.

The Duchess of Northumberland made some interesting observations about what attracts overseas visitors to our region, following her visits to Australia, the Far East and America. The travel professionals she met there all agreed it was the history and natural charms of castles, coast and countryside that won out over the pull of the cities, nightlife and shops.

What we have to do is to make the centuries-old attractions a central plank of our regional sales message, rather than a bit of an add-on to the bright new citycentric tourism drive.

Nicholas Craig is a partner at Watson Burton law firm