Follies · Scottish Lowlands
Ratcheugh Observatory
Ratcheugh Observatory — Folly or eyecatcher.

Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 20 min–45 min
- Nearest railway station
- Greenrigg Halt · 3.3 km
- Free entry
- Dog-friendly
About
Ratcheugh Observatory is a folly — a piece of decorative architecture built more for the view than any practical purpose — in the United Kingdom. Wikidata describes it as: "Folly or eyecatcher.". Coordinates: 55.4247°, -1.6470°.
Photo gallery
Protected designations
- Site of Special Scientific Interest: Northumberland Shore SSSI
- Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: Northumberland Coast
Designations sourced from Natural England open data under OGL v3.
From the Wikipedia article
Ratcheugh Observatory is a late 18th-century folly on a prominent crag between Alnwick and Longhoughton in north Northumberland, England. Commissioned by Hugh Percy, 1st Duke of Northumberland, the castellated Observatory incorporates a viewing tower with prospects of Alnwick and its castle, and of the North Sea coast at Boulmer.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
- Coordinates
- 55.4247, -1.6470
- District
- Northumberland
- Parish
- Longhoughton
- Postcode
- NE66 3AD
- Parliamentary constituency
- North Northumberland
- Nearest railway station
- Greenrigg Halt — 3.3 km
Sources
- osm: w89901626 (ODbL)
- wikipedia: Ratcheugh Observatory (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Ratcheugh Observatory - Geograph 4345266 - Russel Wills.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
Loading nearby places…
Nearby
Wildlife reserves · North East England
Longhoughton Quarry
Longhoughton Quarry in England North East, United Kingdom.
Heritage railway stations · North East England
Longhoughton railway station
Longhoughton railway station in England North East, United Kingdom.
📷 3Historic churches · Scottish Lowlands
Church of Saints Peter and Paul
Church of Saints Peter and Paul — Grade I listed church in Longhoughton, Northumberland, England, UK.
Memorials & monuments · Scottish Lowlands
Denwick War Memorial
Denwick War Memorial — Grade II listed building-listed memorial in scotland-lowlands, United Kingdom.
Other places · North East England
Denwick
Denwick in England North East, United Kingdom.
Heritage railway stations · North East England
Lesbury railway station
Lesbury railway station in England North East, United Kingdom.
More follies in this region
Follies · Scottish Lowlands
Douglas Mausoleum
Douglas Mausoleum is a folly in the United Kingdom.
Follies · Scottish Lowlands
James Clerk Maxwell grave
James Clerk Maxwell grave is a folly in the United Kingdom.
📷 3Follies · Scottish Lowlands
Johnstone Mausoleum
Johnstone Mausoleum is a folly in the United Kingdom.
Follies · Scottish Lowlands
Joseph Nelson’s Grave
Joseph Nelson’s Grave is a folly in the United Kingdom.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Ratcheugh Observatory?
- Ratcheugh Observatory is in the Scottish Lowlands, United Kingdom (postcode NE66 3AD), in the parish of Longhoughton.
- Is Ratcheugh Observatory a protected site?
- Yes — Ratcheugh Observatory is part of the Northumberland Shore SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest and the Northumberland Coast National Landscape (AONB).
- Is Ratcheugh Observatory free to visit?
- Yes, Ratcheugh Observatory is free to enter.
- How do I get to Ratcheugh Observatory?
- The nearest railway station is Greenrigg Halt, about 3.3 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode NE66 3AD.