The UK is undeniably one of the best places for stargazing imaginable. Home to the world’s highest concentration of Dark Sky Reserves and boasting an array of Dark Sky spaces, it appeals to all those looking for a little cosmic inspiration. Dotted around the UK, from the most northerly reaches of the Orkneys to the most westerly tip of Cornwall, these Dark Sky Sites encompass a wealth of landscapes and reveal whole new worlds of exploration.
To unveil some of the secrets of the solar system and find wonder in starlight, head to a cottage near dark sky hotspots for nights of moonlit adventure. Wrapped head-to-toe in cosy layers and warmed with a flask of tea, stargazers can step outside, ready to turn attention to the vast canvas overhead…
Find out more
What is a Dark Sky Site?
Different types of Dark Skies places
Benefits of Dark Skies
Dark Sky Sites in the UK
Safety tips
What is a Dark Sky Site?
Since 2001, Dark Sky Associations around the globe have been working together to preserve ecologically sensitive spaces and connect people with the natural world. Encouraging stewardship of the land and protection of the skies, each site is carefully selected and managed to limit exposure from unnatural light. Amongst the array of designated areas are both National and International Dark Sky Parks, Sanctuaries, Communities, Urban Night Sky Places and more.
Setting the scene for beautiful nightscapes with minimal light pollution, Dark Sky Sites in the UK are particularly enchanting – speckled with constellations and brushed with the haze of the Milky Way. In the UK, we also boast seven of the world’s 22 Dark Sky Reserves, making it one of the best places on the planet for its pristine conditions and star-studded skies. Every year, many of these designated sites also host Dark Skies Festivals and events galore for galactic gazing with friends and family.
Different types of Dark Skies places
Dark Sky Sanctuaries
Dark Sky Sanctuaries are areas of publicly or privately owned land topped with exceptional night skies. Usually in remote or secluded locations, they benefit from minimal light pollution and are recognised for their natural, cultural, or educational significance. The Dark Sky Sanctuary designation is important to help safeguard these areas and promote long-term conservation efforts to protect their fragile ecosystems and star-gilded skies.
Dark Sky Reserves
Much like Dark Sky Sanctuaries, Dark Sky Reserves can cover both public and private land and are known for their ecological or cultural importance. They are fundamentally formed of a dark sky nucleus, surrounded by a dark sky zone that helps to protect the quality of the night sky at its core. They are managed in partnership with a number of land managers who work together to reduce light pollution and protect natural spaces.
Dark Sky Parks
Dark Sky Parks encompass public or private land where stargazing can be enjoyed. Championed for their unique qualities, these Dark Sky Parks offer public access to certain areas within their borders. This ensures that stargazers of all ages can enjoy their favourable conditions for admiring the cosmos, while nature can continue to thrive throughout.
Dark Sky Communities
A Dark Sky Community can be any legally recognised community, from a town to a city to a whole district. These communities earn designation by showing high levels of consistent dedication to protecting night skies by implementing a range of measures, like limiting artificial lighting, providing education, and offering local support. Dark Sky Communities are regarded as guardians of night skies and set important precedents for other communities!
Urban Night Sky Places
Urban Night Sky Places usually comprise areas of parkland or open spaces within urban centres. Though they don’t offer the same quality stargazing opportunities as other Dark Sky Sites, they are still recognised for their conservational efforts. Often, these areas participate in wider educational projects and bid to minimise artificial lighting wherever possible.
Benefits of Dark Skies
From protecting nocturnal species and improving sleep to inspiring generations, there are a whole host of benefits to keeping night skies dark:
• Minimising light pollution helps to keep the body’s circadian rhythms in check. Light and dark are the most significant factors in maintaining natural body clocks, supporting healthy behavioural, physical and mental functions.
• It’s believed that artificial lighting can have a negative impact on sleep, while dark skies encourage deeper, more restorative nights of R&R.
• Dark skies are essential for the activity of plants and animals, from night-active migratory birds to nocturnal mammals like bats and badgers. They are also really important for light-sensitive wildlife, such as red-breasted robins, whose hunting and sleeping can be disrupted by confusing artificial light with natural light.
• Sharing the beauty of the night sky provides a perfect platform for education – inspiring minds and connecting generations with our environment and the wonder of what lies above.
• Preserving dark spaces and reducing light pollution has countless sustainability benefits, including reducing energy wastage and costs.
• By designating Dark Sky Sites in the UK, communities can work together to manage development and protect wild spaces for a greener future for all.
For an adventure of astronomical proportions, here are some of the Dark Sky Sites in the UK ready for you to begin your journey on a waning moon…
Dark Sky Sites in the UK
England
Bodmin Moor
Dark Sky Park
One of the most beautiful swathes of wild moorland in the UK, Bodmin Moor is a romantic region of rugged upland in North Cornwall. Speckled with granite tors and strewn with heather, it sets one of the most magical backdrops for stargazing experiences imaginable. It was also the first International Dark Sky Place to be designated within a National Landscape – making it all the more special for starry-eyed nights. For some of the best opportunities to see the night sky in Cornwall in all its glory, make the most of the early evenings of spring and winter and take a spot near Caradon Observatory, one of Colliford Lake’s car parks, Crowdy Reservoir, Siblyback Lake, or Minions Heritage Centre car park.
Cranborne Chase
International Dark Sky Reserve
Cranborne Chase was the UK’s first National Landscape to be awarded the title of International Dark Sky Reserve. Covering nearly 400 square miles, this film-worthy landscape crosses Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire, and Somerset and comprises a diverse tapestry of rare grasslands, ancient woodlands, and chalky valleys and escarpments. A land of natural beauty, Cranborne Chase becomes even more breath-taking at night when its dark skies unveil countless twinkling stars and, if you’re lucky, the International Space Station and meteor showers too.
Exmoor
Dark Sky Reserve
Exmoor National Park in South West England was Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve. Stretching across the fringes of North Devon and Somerset, this atmospheric region comprises open moors and dramatic coast. An ideal place to go for gaping at the galaxy and ticking off the constellation list, this mesmeric place provides endless inspiration. For a really unforgettable experience, take a pew on the coast on a calm evening and watch as the blinking lights of our universe and beyond shine down on the sea below. To join in with guided celestial celebrations, you can also take part in the park’s annual Dark Skies Festival each autumn.
South Downs
Dark Sky Reserve
The South Downs National Park is England’s newest National Park and one that beckons for adventure under sunshine and starlight alike. Made up of an area of chalk downland, the reserve reaches across southern England, all the way from St Catherine’s Hill in Hampshire to Beachy Head in East Sussex. For those looking for a stellar introduction to stargazing, head over to the South Downs National Park, dubbed ‘Moore’s Reserve’ after the renowned British astronomer, Sir Patrick Moore. For a deeper dive, visit Winchester Science Centre’s Planetarium, or for guided events, enjoy the annual South Downs Dark Skies Festival.
North York Moors
International Dark Sky Reserve
The beautiful North York Moors are famed for their wild beauty that entice walkers from near and far. Should you be looking for another way to marvel at Mother Nature, visit the park after dusk when the sun gives way to a blizzard of stars. For the best experience, don sturdy walking shoes and warm layers and discover the array of Dark Sky Sites within the moors, including Sutton Bank and Danby National Park Centres and Dalby and Bruce Observatories. Each February, you can also attend events hosted by the park’s Dark Skies Festival, such as moonlit walks, night photography workshops, and astronomy talks.
Northumberland
Dark Sky Park
One of the biggest International Dark Sky Parks in Europe, Northumberland National Park and Kielder Water & Forest Park promise a huge amount of space for stargazing. Rated as Gold Tier by the International Dark Skies Association (IDA) for minimal light pollution, this world-renowned Dark Sky Park unveils the wonders of the night sky in dreamlike clarity. In fact, on cloudless nights, you can often see both the Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy with the naked eye – giving a glimpse into space 2.5 million light years away.
West Penwith
International Dark Sky Park
Located in the most westerly reaches of Cornwall, West Penwith is an area entwined with legend and lore. Covering untouched landscapes that merge with the sea, this mystical region is one that has inspired hearts and minds for centuries. Making it all the more breathtaking, West Penwith is also one of the darkest places in England at night time according to the CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England), perfect for those star-crossed moments. Snuggle up in thick coats and boots and find a special spot to drink in the sky, looking out for the reddish glow of Mars and the bow of Orion. Cape Cornwall is particularly dreamy.
Yorkshire Dales
International Dark Sky Reserve
The Yorkshire Dales is a large region of rugged moorland, verdant valleys, and hummocky hills peppered with picturesque villages. Loved for its huge skies that top photo-worthy scenery, it is home to some of the best Dark Sky Sites in the UK, including Hawes and Malham National Park Visitor Centres, Buckden National Park Car Park, and Tan Hill Inn. Nudging England’s northerly hem, it is also a go-to destination for those hoping for a glimpse of the equally elusive and ethereal Northern Lights. With many areas completely free from light pollution and with a good network of well-maintained paths and roads, it’s a place where adventure comes easily.
Wales
Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)
Dark Sky Reserve
The first International Dark Sky Reserve in Wales, Bannau Brycheiniog (formerly known as the Brecon Beacons) has been championing its night skies for over a decade. Boasting over 500 square miles between Mid and South Wales, this mountainous region of red sandstone hills and rich forests is a captivating destination and one of the best places to visit in Wales. To uncover its best Dark Sky Sites for contemplating the cosmos, visit Usk and Crai Reservoirs, Llanthony Priory, Hay Bluff car park, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Visitor Centre and more. Just remember to take a torch with you and plenty of blankety layers.
Elan Valley
Dark Sky Park
The beautiful Elan Valley is a spectacular river valley near Rhayader in Powys. Renowned for its dams, reservoirs and waterways that set the scene for days of adventure, it’s a well-loved destination for walkers, cyclists and wildlife watchers alike. Dedicated to preserving its natural spaces and maintaining the biorhythms of nature, the valley was granted Dark Sky Park status in 2015 and draws stargazers from far and wide. To find some of the best vantage points, make way to Claerwen, Craig Goch or Pont ar Elan car parks, Claerwen Dam, or Teifi Pools and turn your gaze skyward.
Eryri (Snowdonia)
Dark Sky Reserve
When it comes to magnificent settings for dark sky observation, there are few places more spellbinding than Eryri National Park (Snowdonia). Bathed in the silvery light of the moon, the mountains and foothills of the park take on an entirely new charm, crowned by the glistening night sky. On clear nights, you can spy each of the northern hemisphere’s major constellations here, as well as the Milky Way, nebulas, and shooting stars. Within Eryri, some of the best sites include Llyn y Dywarchen, Llyn Geirionydd, Llynnau Cregennen, Tŷ Cipar, y Migneint and Bwlch y Groes – best enjoyed with a flask of something warming!
Pembrokeshire Coast
Dark Sky Sites
Located in South West Wales, the sea-kissed Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is skirted by 186 miles of coast path and enjoys countless spots to sit and absorb the magic of the night sky. With a long chain of dark sky discovery sites that provide some of the best stargazing conditions in the UK, it’s a must for every star chaser. One of the best dark sky sites in the UK, the National Trust’s Broadhaven South car park is a great place to start in Pembrokeshire. For the best introduction, head over in early spring for your chance to see Venus, Mars and Jupiter, as well as the Bigger Dipper and Orion.
Ynys Enlli
International Dark Sky Sanctuary
What could be more enchanting than relaxing under toasty layers as comets whizz through the night sky above? One of the best-known dark sky sites in the UK, Ynys Enlli (also known as Bardsey Island) in Gwynedd was the first Dark Sky Sanctuary in Europe for its wonderfully unpolluted night skies. Protecting the natural habits and habitats of local wildlife and providing a serene sanctuary far removed from urban glow, this wildly beautiful island is leading the way in dark sky preservation.
Scotland
Galloway Forest Park
Dark Sky Park
The largest forest in the UK, Galloway Forest Park extends across 300 square miles of wooded wilderness in Dumfries and Galloway. Renowned for its unspoilt landscapes and vast skies, the park was designated a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park by the IDA in 2009 and is one of the best places in the world for year-round stargazing – especially when timed with a new moon in the lunar cycle. Bundle up in gloves and scarfs, with or without a telescope, and step outside to see what lies above. Offering a great base for astro adventures are the park’s three visitor centres: Clatteringshaws, Glentrool and Kirroughtree.
Isle of Rum
International Dark Sky Sanctuary
Affectionately known as the “jewel of Scotland’s Inner Hebrides”, the diamond-shaped Isle of Rum is loved for its fascinating history and wealth of wildlife. When the sun sinks below the horizon, the island takes on an even more showstopping quality when countless crystal stars stud the onyx sky above. At the centre of dark sky developments in the Hebrides, the island is already hosting dark sky events and educational activities and is planning to create an observation tower, as well as a camera and weather station, to share dark sky research and inspiration with audiences far and wide.
Tomintoul and Glenlivet
International Dark Sky Park
Tomintoul and Glenlivet International Dark Sky Park in the Cairngorms National Park is one of the most northerly dark sky sites in the UK. Home to Tomintoul, the highest village in The Highlands, and the Glenlivet Estate, this area is famed for its whisky, walking, and star-watching. As well as being a firm favourite amongst stargazers, it is also a great choice for those hoping to catch sight of the Aurora Borealis. Whether you’re an experienced astronomer or learning your pulsars from your protostars, visit Blairfindy, Tomintoul, or Scalan Dark Sky Discovery Site to uncover the mysteries of the universe.
Northern Ireland
OM Dark Sky Park & Observatory
International Dark Sky Park
A space where “where astronomy meets archaeology”, OM Dark Sky Park & Observatory in Davagh Sperrin Mountains offers untold discovery. Inviting you to learn fascinating insights into the worlds above, it hosts daily guided tours and interactive exhibitions for all generations to enjoy. Venture over during the day to browse the visitor centre’s displays at leisure, before making a return trip once the sun goes down. For ease, there is a red light viewing platform, where everything from the Quadrantids meteor shower to star clusters to the Northern Lights and more can be seen.
Safety tips
If you can’t wait to head out with a telescope and torch and set your sights high, then make sure you plan ahead and keep safe during your nighttime forays. For the best results, head out on dark, clear nights with no rain and no clouds and give yourself around half an hour for your eyes to properly adjust to the dark. You don’t need to take binoculars or a telescope with you, but you can take either with you if you’d like for the clearest views of celestial gems:
• Use a local map and familiarise yourself with your route in the daytime before you go.
• Make sure you’re aware of any obstacles that may be challenging in the dark and opt for easy-access areas.
• Let a loved one know where you are going, as well as when you plan to return, and try to always head out in pairs.
• Keep a fully charged mobile with you in case of emergencies.
• Ensure you wear appropriate footwear for the terrain and stick to well-maintained footpaths wherever possible.
• Wear plenty of warm layers and make sure you have waterproof clothing with you.
• If you are going to be walking near roads, wear suitable reflective clothing.
• Take some snacks and a flask of tea or hot chocolate with you to keep you warm and fuelled.
• Make sure you take a torch with you, as well as a back up torch and extra batteries – low temperatures can often drain batteries so it’s best to be prepared.
• Once in situ, swap torchlight for a low-coloured red-light source. This helps to keep your eyes adjusted to the dark and reduce the impact of artificial light.
• Pop a constellation guide in your pocket for something to refer to when you’re out and about.
• For added comfort, you can also take a fold up chair with you!
Fancy a holiday under the stars? Explore our collection of cottages across the UK and plan your dream escape.
