Visit Masham

Limetree Observatory & Planetarium

Limetree Observatory & Planetarium

State of the art telescope, theatre and planetarium for groups of up to 25.

The facilities are situated within the Nidderdale National Landscape (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty AONB) on the Eastern edge of The Yorkshire Dales National Park which has been awarded an International Dark Skies status and enjoys very dark skies, with only a little light pollution from nearby Masham and Ripon.

The Lime Tree Observatory, at Lime Tree Farm in Grewelthorpe was first opened to the public in 2016. It is one of a number of educational attractions at the farm.

​The observatory was built following the recovery of a large telescope and dome from an observatory in Kent. The telescope is a 24inch reflecting telescope with a motor drive which allows observers to keep the desired object in view for long periods of time. This device, whilst of significant historical interest, has been moved to the reception area of our Planetarium. A new, state of the art telescope is being introduced as part of our exciting project to refurbish the observatory. Adjacent to the observatory there is a reception room fitted with a large screen and a sound system. 

​The Lime Tree Planetarium project took place from 2018 to 2023.  The plan was to convert one of the farm's existing barns in to a multifunctional space for talks, demonstrations, indoor and outdoor crafts and, of course a 6.4 metre diameter immersive theatre / planetarium for astronomy use.

​We are now able to host groups of up to 25 people on a mixture of cinema seating, standard seating and beanbags on the floor, with underfloor heating.