Black Out: The Best Dark Skies In The UK
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1 day ago
We set our sights on the UK’s best stargazing spots
The UK is home to plenty of beautiful dark skies, thanks to its abundance of natural spaces, national parks and rural villages. But where are the very best spots for stargazing?
Where To See Dark Skies In The UK
Beaghmore Stone Circles, Northern Ireland
This ancient Neolithic site consists of more than a thousand stones organised into seven circles, ten rows and 12 cairns – constructed, archaeologists think, to mark lunar, solar or stellar events in an astronomical calendar. If you visit the area at night, you’ll see why: nestled at the foot of the Sperrin Mountains, one of Northern Ireland’s few areas unaffected by light pollution, the entire milky way shines on this spot.
Isles Of Scilly, England
The long, low horizons here mean you can spot far more in the night sky – particularly planets – than you would in other built up areas of the UK. St Martin’s, one of Scilly’s hidden gem islands, hosts the annual Dark Skies Week every autumn, with a programme of nightly stargazing, astrophotography and educational talks organised by the islands’ community observatory, luring astronomers of all ages.
The Lake District, England
If you need adventure to break up those quiet moments of stargazing, head to the Lake District. Think constellation-led canoe trails in Coniston, full moon night swims in the lakes of Watermillock and skylight-clad glamping pods in Keswick. For more hardcore stargazers, trek further west towards Ennerdale, a remote valley with some of the darkest skies in Cumbria.
Pendragon Castle, Cumbria (c) Paul Clark Astrophotography
Yorkshire Dales National Park, England
This is among only a handful of Dark Sky Reserves in the UK. Made up of huge swathes of natural landscape free from local light pollution, it’s possible to see planets, meteors and even, on occasion, the Northern Lights streaking across the night sky. Visitors are welcome to explore the park at their leisure, or head to one of four Dark Sky Discovery Sites, which are accessible and offer facilities.
Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales
While only an hour or so away from Cardiff and Swansea, this park feels miles away from the city hustle. The first area in Wales to be given International Dark Sky Reserve status – and only the fifth in the world – back in 2013, it is perfect for a spot of sky-scanning. The stars shine ultra bright here, and some avid stargazers have reported seeing meteor showers and the milky way on clearer evenings.
Isle Of Coll, Scotland
Home to some of the darkest skies in Europe, this small Hebridean island was designated a Dark Sky Community in 2013. It boasts clear vistas unspoiled by light pollution (thanks to its community of 200 people, who carried out an audit that replaced all lights that obstructed the view). Winter is the best time to see constellations, and the Coll Community Centre runs regular Dark Sky weekend events throughout the season.
Dark Sky Park, Northumberland
England’s first International Dark Sky Park is home to some of the darkest skies in the country, with views of the Andromeda Galaxy, over 2.5m light years away. There are stargazing spots (with maps) and the Kielder Observatory; winter nights are best for deep sky objects like galaxies and nebulae, while summer skies offer star clusters and shooting stars.
northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk
Valley of Rocks, Exmoor (c) Keith Trueman
Exmoor National Park, England
The title of Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve goes to Exmoor, a sprawling national park covering parts of Devon and Somerset. Here you’ll find amazing views of the cosmos, which visitors can see during their own explorations or from Dark Sky Friendly campsites. If you don’t have a telescope to hand, don’t worry: you can hire them from one of the park’s centres.
North York Moors National Park, England
With panoramic views of the night sky, this is a major hotspot for catching constellations and one of only 22 International Dark Sky Reserves in the world, with up to 2,000 stars visible in some of the park’s darkest spots. Skirt to Dalby Forest, a Milky Way-class Dark Sky Discovery Site, for stargazing walks, forest bathing and late night yoga with local guides.
Moffat, Scotland
If trekking through the woods for a glimpse of the stars isn’t high on your holiday list, then reroute your journey towards Moffat, Europe’s first Dark Sky Town. Charming and wonderfully bucolic, with a pretty high street and cultivated green spaces ensconced in rolling hills, Moffat’s real wow-factor comes at night, when special street lighting allows for stargazing from the middle of town.
