UK Stargazing: All you need to know

Whilst the last few months of the year do start to bring the colder weather, it’s not all doom and gloom, with autumn and winter being the best time of year to head out and see the stars. With more hours of darkness and cooler temperatures stripping the air of hazy humidity, winter skies can be extraordinarily clear, creating ideal conditions for stargazing.

But what exactly is stargazing? Stargazing is the activity of looking up to the stars and objects in space as a hobby, scientific study or as part of astrology. The best time for you to go stargazing is in the days before, during and soon after a new moon. Nights when there is no bright moon at night and when the sun sets enough so that twilight does not affect observations present the best conditions. 

But where in the UK should you head to if you want to get the best view of the cosmos? We’ve taken a deep dive into the best places in the UK for stargazing and can reveal the hotspots up and down the UK based on the number of stargazing spots nearby: 

South West England - 79 stargazing locations

Exmoor National Park
Spanning across Somerset and North Devon, Exmoor National Park is home to some of the darkest skies in England, making it the ideal spot to take a look at the stars. Classed as an International Dark Sky Reserve, the landscape is made up of moorland with nature reserves, ancient burial grounds, valleys and sea cliffs. During the daytime, this National Park is a great day out for a family walk or hike. But if you’re venturing here at night to catch a glimpse of the stars, a couple of must-visits include Holdstone Hill, County Gate, Brendon Two Gates and Webbers Post.

Wales - 48 stargazing locations 

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
If you’re a keen walker or hiker, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park boasts some of the most picturesque coastal hiking trails in the whole of the UK. But this National Park is also home to a network of Dark Sky Discovery sites, a nationally-recognised designation for top stargazing spots across the UK. Right across the park there are a range of accessible spots to enjoy clear views of the night sky. With low light pollution, it’s even possible to see the Milky Way without the need for high tech equipment. Must visit stargazing spots include Skrinkle Haven, Poppit Sands, and Martin’s Haven. 

North East England - 40 stargazing locations

Cygnus Observatory, Washington Wildfowl Park & Wetlands Centre
Based in Sunderland, the Cygnus Observatory is within travelling distance of Newcastle and Durham. The Observatory is run by members of the Sunderland Astronomical Society, noted as one of the most active astronomical societies in the UK, who often host stargazing events for all the family. Every Thursday, visitors are welcomed to the Discovery Room at the Wetlands Centre where members of the Sunderland Astronomical Society meet with members of the public to show them around and help them get acquainted with the night sky. 

Yorkshire and the Humber - 33 stargazing locations

North York Moors National Park
With rolling unpolluted skies, the North York Moors National Park is the perfect place to catch a glimpse of meteor showers and gaze up at the stars. On autumn evenings, the Milky Way is often visible alongside up to 2,000 stars in the darkest spots of the park. And if the conditions are right, you could even spot the Northern Lights! Must visit locations throughout the park include Old Saltburn, Boulby Cliff and Kettleness.

Scotland - 31 stargazing locations

Galloway Forest Park
In 2009 Galloway Forest Park was the first place to be granted Dark Sky Park status in all of the UK and has since been named a Gold Tier park for it’s stunning and rare stargazing conditions. At this location stargazers have the opportunity to spot the Milky Way and over 7,000 stars with their naked eye. You may even be lucky enough to catch a meteor shower, or a glimpse of the elusive Northern Lights, which have been known to make an appearance on particularly clear nights. All three visitor centres present great viewing opportunities, with information points right across the Forest Park to help you identify the constellations and planets you’re lucky enough to spot. 

South East England - 25 stargazing locations

Headley Heath, National Trust
A popular destination amongst local astronomy groups, Headley Heath is known as one of the best places in Surrey for stargazing. With a well maintained and flat terrain, it’s ideal for the whole family. The best place to settle down and explore the night sky is the play area located next to the Headley Heath car park. Make sure to also keep an eye out for wildlife too including deer, badgers, foxes and bats. 

North West England - 24 stargazing locations

Caton Moor Windfarm
A go to for local stargazers, Caton Moor Windfarm in Lancaster is a great location to stare into the cosmos with clear northerly horizons. These conditions present great opportunities for spotting aurora as there is relatively little light pollution nearby. The site is close to junction 33 of the M6 motorway and has a small picnic site and information board just next to the turbines. 

East of England - 21 stargazing locations

Westleton Common
Designated as a Dark Sky Discovery Site, Suffolk based Westleton Common is accessible by members of the public and recognised as an ideal place to stargaze. Part of open coastal heathland, this location has good visibility on all sides and amazing dark skies above. Popular with DASH Astro Society, visitors can often catch public stargazing sessions here. 

East Midlands - 14 stargazing locations

Parsley Hay
The Peak District National Park Authority, Nottingham Trent University and the Science and Technology Facilities Council have joined forces to identify dark sky discovery sites where there are good conditions for stargazing. Amongst these is Parsley Hay in Buxton, located just off the A15 near Hartington (nearest postcode SK17 0DG). Easily accessible to the public, this destination is known for panoramic views during the day. Astronomy interpretation panels are in place to help night time visitors explore the stars, so it’s a great place to learn as you go. These panels are updated each season to match the changing landscape. Authorities note that the ground underfoot can be rough, wet and muddy. Warm, waterproof clothing and sensible shoes and a torch are essential for these dark places.

West Midlands - 8 stargazing locations

Carding Mill Valley and the Log Mynd
Another destination awarded Dark Sky Discovery Site status, Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd in Shropshire offer easy accessibility for the public with a good clear view of the night sky. As this location is open access countryside, you can go stargazing any night you like and can often spot the Milky Way with your naked eye. The National Trust also hosts Stars in Your Skies events throughout the year, so be sure to check for any upcoming events before your visit. 

Now you know where to head, what do you need to pack? Firstly you’ll need a blanket or camping mat to lie on as well as food and drink. Think plenty of water and some hot drinks to combat the cold weather! Alongside refreshments, make sure you pack warm clothing including a hat, scarf and gloves. 

To help you know what to look out for in the night sky, you should also bring along a star spotter guide as well as compass to help you find a particular constellation or star.

Establishing the perfect stargazing environment is also important. So why not create a playlist of space-themed songs which you can play through your phone or bluetooth speakers. You could even listen to an accompanying stargazing audiobook to guide you through the night. 

If you’re looking for accommodation near one of the above stargazing spots, you can find static caravans for hire via our online booking platform. For more information and blog updates, follow us on social media.

Sources:
1. https://gostargazing.co.uk/regions

Published on November 11th, 2020

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