Watch the Perseid Meteor Shower 2026 from our Northumberland cottage
A Peaceful Summer Evening Watching the Perseids
If you’re staying at Derwent View Cottage during late July or August, you may be lucky enough to enjoy the Perseid meteor shower in Northumberland, one of the most impressive annual displays in the night sky. The yearly event is visible across the UK each summer and, thanks to our peaceful rural setting and low levels of light pollution, it’s something you can often enjoy without leaving the cottage.
One of our favourite things about summer evenings here at Derwent View Cottage is simply sitting out on the decking as the sun sets over the open countryside. Facing west, it’s a lovely place to spend a quiet evening before darkness gradually falls and the stars begin to appear overhead.
If your stay happens to coincide with the Perseids, all you need to do is look up.
West facing decking at Derwent View Cottage – ideal for sunsets and stargazing
What are the Perseids?
The Perseids are one of the best-known meteor showers of the year. They occur as the Earth passes through tiny particles left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle. As these particles enter the Earth’s atmosphere, they burn up, creating the bright streaks of light we know as shooting stars.
The shower is active from around 17 July until 24 August, with the greatest number of meteors usually visible around the peak on the night of 12–13 August.
The best part is that you don’t need any specialist knowledge or expensive equipment to enjoy them. A clear sky and a little patience are usually all that’s required.
Watching from the Cottage
The large decking leads directly from the cottage’s double doors, making it easy to wander outside for the evening. Whether you’d like a cup of tea, a hot chocolate or a chilled glass of wine, everything is just a few steps away in the kitchen, so there’s no need to interrupt the evening once you’re settled.
The decking has a table and chairs overlooking open countryside, making it an ideal place to sit comfortably while waiting for the first shooting star to appear. We’ve spent evenings here ourselves watching the Perseids and, years later, it’s still one of those lovely memories that stays with us.
Whilst no equipment is needed, we’re also happy to provide binoculars and a telescope if you’d like to take a closer look at the night sky during your stay. There’s free Wi-Fi at the cottage too, so you can download one of the many free stargazing apps to help identify constellations, planets and satellites as you watch.
Photography credit – Andy Whittaker – the Milky way taken from Derwent View Cottage decking
A favourite Holiday Memory
If you’re staying at Derwent View Cottage this August, why not spend an evening on the decking and see if you can catch the Perseid meteor shower? Whether you spot one shooting star or dozens, it’s a wonderful way to round off a day exploring Northumberland, County Durham and the surrounding countryside.
If you’d like to discover more about enjoying the night skies during your stay, take a look at our Stargazing at Derwent View Cottage guide, where you’ll find more information about local dark skies, nearby observatories and stargazing throughout the year.
Derwent View COttage
Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the North Pennines, this one bedroom self catering holiday cottage has stunning views of rolling countryside whilst being in easy reach of major local attractions.