Stargazing in the UK

Covering 618 square metres of rural Sussex and Hampshire, South Downs National Park has been designated a Dark Sky Reserve by the International Dark-Sky Association. Look our for ancient star systems and star clusters from distant galaxies far, far away. 

With over 7,000 stars and planets to see with the naked eye, you can even see the bright band of the  Milky Way from Galloway Forest. Named the UK’s first Dark Sky Park, you can uncover the sky’s mysteries that are often hidden by the lights of the city.

Discover Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s storms and uncover galaxies tens of millions light years away from spots like Holdstone Hill, County Gate, Webbers Post and Haddon Hill. You’ll be left feeling all starry-eyed from the twinkling spectacular of Exmoor’s protected dark skies.

There’ll be plenty of stars in your eyes during a visit to The Brecon Beacons. From meteor showers to sparkling nebulas, you’re in for a treat as you cosy up under the clusters of stars from distant galaxies far, far away. 

Home to some of the darkest skies in the UK, there’s so much to stargazing to do from here. From Wasdale you can often catch the Northern Lights and from Allan Bank, Grasmere look out for Orion’s belt and the spectacular Milky Way. 

Designated as an International Dark Sky Reserve, look up to skies to see the stars Mabinogi and the old pennillion. If you’re lucky, you might even see the Milky Way and a couple of shooting stars – don’t forget to make a wish!