Hanwell Community Observatory

21/02/2026

Hanwell Community Observatory (HCO) wants to say a huge thank you to all those who visited for the re-launch of our annual Stars and Snowdrops event. It was great to welcome back those who have waited patiently for the reopening and to meet those who had never been before. We hope that you enjoyed all aspects of the visit.

It is, of course, a lot of work to put these events on but it is entirely worth while thanks to all of you. It was, personally, very hard to do this for the first time without Christopher but I know that he would have been thrilled by the turnout. And the funds raised will be used to support the work of the observatory and of the Archaeology. Do let us know if you are interested either in joining the HCO group and its outreach work or in arranging your own star gazing party – minimum of ten visitors.

We shall be open again the 19th and 20th September when we shall be playing host to the Sealed Knot and the seventeenth century Living History event. There will be craft stalls all the way up the drive, another pop up museum and music from the period, as well as tea and cake. The garden looks very different of course in the early autumn but you may be interested to enjoy it at another time of year.

On behalf of us all, we look forward to welcoming you again.

Rowena E Taylor

12/01/2026

To all those who have supported Hanwell Community Observatory:

We are grateful to all the people who have supported HCO since we opened the grounds in 2005 for the first ‘Stars and Snowdrops’ Event. Thousands of you have come in often pretty inclement weather. Others have also attended star gazing events. We have loved meeting you all and some have joined the group from these events.

We were unable to open in 2020 and have not opened for 'Stars and Snowdrops' since then but we should like to get back to events. Apart from COVID, things were complicated by the need to care for an aged parent with all the stress this brings but, it is with the greatest sadness that we have to report that on 18 December 2024 Christopher Taylor, the founder and Director of HCO, died after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. HCO and, especially the younger members of the group, are determined to keep his legacy going and we remain committed to public outreach in astronomy.

It is our hope that we shall be able to run ‘Stars and Snowdrops’ in 2026 on our usual second weekend in February – 14th and 15th February. Please tell all your friends and help us to advertise and make this a success.

Rowena E Taylor

24/09/2021

Get directions and see where to park for our Stars & Archaeology open event this weekend at hanwellobservatory.org.uk/stars-and-archaeology

Enjoy a woodland walk amongst our ancient castle grounds, follow the archaeology trail, talk to the astronomers and have an opportunity to look through astronomical telescopes, and then enjoy tea and cake in the sunshine. more...

24/09/2021

It's just one day until our Stars & Archaeology open weekend!

Enjoy a woodland walk amongst our ancient castle grounds, follow the archaeology trail, visit the observatory, and then enjoy tea and cake in the sunshine. We're open from noon-6pm on Saturday and 10.30am-6pm on Sunday.

Find out more: hanwellobservatory.org.uk/stars-and-archaeology
Join the Facebook event: facebook.com/events/1645939445612241

23/09/2021

Discover the archaeology project uncovering the history of Hanwell Castle's grounds and gardens at our Stars & Archaeology event this weekend!

Follow the woodland walk and archaeology trail, visit the observatory and enjoy tea and cake in the sunshine. We're open from noon-6pm on Saturday and 10.30am-6pm on Sunday.

Find out more: hanwellobservatory.org.uk/stars-and-archaeology
Join the Facebook event: facebook.com/events/1645939445612241

22/09/2021

Visit our observatory and have a chance to look through astronomical telescopes at our Stars & Archaeology event this weekend!

Follow the woodland walk and archaeology trail, chat to our astronomers and enjoy tea and cake in the sunshine. We're open from noon-6pm on Saturday and 10.30am-6pm on Sunday.

Find out more: hanwellobservatory.org.uk/stars-and-archaeology
Join the Facebook event: facebook.com/events/1645939445612241

21/09/2021

Explore Hanwell Castle's beautiful grounds this weekend at our Stars & Archaeology open weekend. Follow the woodland walk and archaeology trail, visit the observatory and enjoy tea and cake in the sunshine!

We're open from noon-6pm on Saturday and 10.30am-6pm on Sunday.

Find out more: hanwellobservatory.org.uk/stars-and-archaeology
Join the Facebook event: facebook.com/events/1645939445612241

20/09/2021

Follow the archaeology trail and discover the project to uncover the history of Hanwell Castle's grounds at our Stars & Archaeology event this weekend!

Find out more: hanwellobservatory.org.uk/stars-and-archaeology
Join the Facebook event: facebook.com/events/1645939445612241

19/09/2021

Follow the woodland walk through Hanwell Castle's beautiful grounds and gardens at our Stars & Archaeology event next weekend...

Find out more: hanwellobservatory.org.uk/stars-and-archaeology
Join the Facebook event: facebook.com/events/1645939445612241

18/09/2021

It's just one week until our Stars & Archaeology open weekend! Enjoy a woodland walk amongst our ancient castle grounds, follow the archaeology trail, talk to the astronomers, and then enjoy tea and cake in the sunshine.

Find out more: hanwellobservatory.org.uk/stars-and-archaeology
Join the Facebook event: facebook.com/events/1645939445612241

17/09/2021

Visit the observatory, chat to the astronomers and have an opportunity to look through astronomical telescopes at our upcoming Stars & Archaeology open weekend.

Find out more: hanwellobservatory.org.uk/stars-and-archaeology
Join the Facebook event: facebook.com/events/1645939445612241