Festival

September 6th, 7th & 8th 2013
Main event days - 7th & 8th September


What a weekend we had in 2012! The weather was fabulous with warm sunshine and two gloriously clear nights. Overall the festival was a huge success and the best yet! May we take this opportunity to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all who came and supported the festival and helped us raise the funds to carry on preserving the historic telescopes and domes. We are already looking forward to the next one. 

We must also thank:
Telescope House for donating the two ETX90 telescopes (and other raffle prizes) AND the ETX80 prize at the pub quiz.
Sky at Night Magazine for their continued support through advertising
Astronomia for their raffle prize and the informal talks
Pulsar Observatories for raffle prizes
Astronomy 4 Everyone for raffle prizes

Thanks also must go to:
HantsAstro for manning their after hours observing area and all their help with the camping field including Dave Woods for the camp site plan.
Astronomy4Everyone for all their help with the camping field and the after hours observing.
Wealden Astronomical Society for car parking duties and all their telescopes in The Centre during the evenings
East Sussex Astronomical Society for their telescopes in The Centre during the evenings
The UK Garrison Team for entertaining us with characters from Star Wars
The Radio Shack
The Astronomy Societies

AND NOT LEAST
All the staff and volunteers for their sterling work
PLUS ANYONE ELSE THAT HAS BEEN FORGOTTEN! 

Camp under the backdrop of the observatory domes:

• Friday, Saturday and Sunday
• £25 per pitch regardless of the number of nights. Allows up to 4 people per site. IF YOU ARE BRINGING A CARAVAN OR CAMPERVAN WITH TOILET FACILITIES, PLEASE NOTE THAT AT THE TIME OF WRITING THERE WILL BE NO PROVISION FOR EMPTYING TOILET WASTE.
• There are a limited number of sites so BOOK EARLY!
• Pitches will be allocated beforehand on a first come first served basis PLEASE READ THE CAMPING RULES BEFORE BOOKING (TOP RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THIS PAGE).

Throughout the weekend there will be a comprehensive programme of events, including*:

Friday Evening 6.30pm - 11pm

• Viewing through the historic telescopes
• Viewing through smaller telescopes with amateur astronomy societies 
• Amateur Radio Group of Sussex
• PLUS after hours viewing in the dedicated observing area on the camping field

Saturday 10am - 6pm

• Lectures throughout the day from 10.45am - see Saturday Speakers
• Talks about the telescopes in Dome E 
• Science Shows 
• Planetarium shows 
• Amateur Radio Group of Sussex
• Trade stalls 
• Astronomy Societies

Saturday Evening 6.30pm - 11pm

• Viewing through the historic telescopes (weather permitting)
• Viewing through smaller telescopes with amateur astronomy societies 
• Pub Quiz with Telescope House 
• PLUS after hours viewing in the dedicated observing area on the camping field

Sunday 10am - 6pm

• Family activity fun day 
• Lectures including a family friendly talk - see Sunday Speakers
• Talks about the telescopes in Dome E 
• Amateur Radio Group of Sussex
• Planetarium shows 
• Science Shows 
• Trade stalls 
• Astronomy Societies 

All this PLUS:

• Spectacular science exhibits 
• Raffles on both main event days with fabulous prizes* donated by the sponsors and trade stalls 
• Beer tent
• Food and refreshments

RAFFLES:  In 2012 Telescope House donated not just one but TWO ETX90 telescopes. We would like to take this opportunity to AGAIN thank Telescope House for this very generous donation and to the other sponsors for supporting the festival. Everyone has helped to raise vital funds in order to maintain the telescopes and domes, keeping astronomy alive at Herstmonceux.
 
The two daily raffles during the festival will include various items donated by our sponsors and trade stands. We would like to thank them in advance for their generosity.
 
HERSTMONCEUX CASTLE: The Centre is in the grounds of Herstmonceux Castle which is well worth a visit during your stay (separate admission price).   

* Subject to change at short notice. While we endeavour to try and include all the activities listed we cannot guarantee they will go ahead on the day.

The Observatory Science Centre would like to thank the following for their continued support of the Astronomy Festival.

We are again offering a fantastic deal if you are able to join us for the whole weekend. Also for the first time this year if you have purchased a ticket during the day then we are offering evening admission at just £5 per person (this offer is only valid on production of a receipt purchased during the same day). 

Normal admission price applies to EACH of the four sessions:
Friday 6.30pm-11pm
Saturday 10am-6pm
Saturday 6.30pm-11pm
Sunday 10am-6pm

£8 adult, £6.25 senior, £6 child, £24.70 family of 4, £28.15 family of 5. Under 4 and memebers FREE 

ALTERNATIVELY you can book for the whole weekend:
Whole weekend registration:  £30.00 per adult, £23.00 per senior £20.00 per child, £90 for a family of 4 and £105 for a family of 5.

You will receive a souvenir, a ticket to visit the gardens and grounds of Herstmonceux Castle and a lanyard which permits entry into the centre from Friday afternoon until 6pm on Sunday.
THIS CAN BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE (does NOT include camping).

Entry to the gardens and grounds of the castle: £6 adult, £4.95 senior, £3 child

Don't forget our membership scheme which allows you entry into The Centre for a whole year. If you take out membership before or at the festival, then you will not have to pay entrance over the whole weekend. Sorry but we cannot offer a discount for members on the camping fee. 

If you are not camping but require local accomodation here are a few suggestions:

Cleavers Lyng B&B

Halfway House B&B

Big Sky Tipi luxury camping

Wartling Place B&B

Butlers Farm House B&B

Stone Acre Lodge B&B

Sandhurst B&B

Ivydene Guest Accomodation

Alternatively you could hire a VW Camper Van