#visitor-information

#visitor-information

The Hampstead Observatory is one of the few observatories in London open to the public for stargazing, and weather permitting, it is reopening this weekend. The observatory's main telescope sates from 1923 and ideal for viewing the Moon, planets and double stars. As long as the skies are clear, you might get to see Saturn's rings, Jupiter's cloud belts, the craters and mountains on the Moon and some of the brighter 'deep sky' objects - star clusters, nebulae and the odd galaxy.

The diamonds formed under extreme pressure and heat deep in the Earth's mantle. If you find one, it will most likely look like a metallic or glassy pebble rather than a sparkly cut gem that you might picture in your mind. The volcanic soil also contains amethyst, garnet, jasper, agate, and various types of quartz (and you can keep those, too).

Visitors can now enjoy a special opportunity to climb St Paul's Cathedral's dome on Sundays without needing to purchase an entire cathedral ticket, available until September 2025.

"Tioga Road will open for the season to all traffic on Monday, May 26, at 8 am. Limited services will be available along Tioga Road; bring your own appropriate levels of food and water."