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Top spots for stargazing
Big open skies are a defining feature of the countryside and on a clear night you can see some 4,000 stars sparkling in our universe all year round. Take a look at the top spots for stargazing in our care.
Finding the best spots
Light pollution is a growing issue for amateur astronomers, but with many of our sites far away from towns and streetlights you can still get a wonderfully clear view of the night sky.
Some of these spots have been awarded Dark Sky Discovery status and are now part of the Dark Sky Discovery network, an online map of all the fantastic places that more and more people have easy access to for a good view of the night sky.
Planning your stargazing
Stargazing is best done before the moon is full, so it might be worth looking at the next new moon dates before you book your trip. It's a perfect outdoor activity for kids, especially from autumn when the sun begins to set earlier. It's also one of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾' activities.
Remember safety first
Check the weather forecast before you go and make sure you know how you're going to get home. Don't stray far from the path and always keep a torch handy.
- Black Down, West Sussex
- Situated on the highest point of the South Downs, Black Down's sweeping skies make it an ideal spot for observing the stars. On a clear night you can see a myriad of stars sparkling in the skies overhead.Explore Black Down
- Carding Mill Valley & Long Mynd, Shropshire
- A perfect spot for budding stargazers, the area has Milky Way status as a Dark Sky site, meaning it has minimal light pollution and beautifully dark skies. There are a number of small car parks on the top of the Mynd.Stargaze at Carding Mill Valley & Long Mynd
- Carrick-a-Rede, County Antrim
- The site was granted ‘Dark Sky Discovery’ status in 2014 and is currently one of only two sites in Northern Ireland, the other being Oxford Island on the shores of Lough Neagh.Discover Carrick-a-Rede
- Hadrian's Wall, Northumberland
- Northumberland International Dark Sky Park is Europe’s largest area of protected night sky, making it the perfect place to admire the stars, with the famous Roman landmark in the foreground.See stars at Hadrian's Wall
- Morden Hall Park, London
- Morden Hall Park is a 125 acre oasis of dark skies on the edge of London. Get the tram to Phipps Bridge and you will find yourself right next to a big field that is perfect for stargazing.Take a trip to Morden Hall Park
- Pembrokeshire, Wales
- Home to several Dark Sky Discovery Sites, this is the perfect place to spend an evening under the stars. Many sites are on the coast, so you can sit and listen to the waves, and you might even see the Milky Way.Go stargazing in Pembrokeshire
- Trelissick, Cornwall
- Beautifully positioned at the head of the Fal estuary, Trelissick Park commands panoramic views over the area. It is far enough away from the glow of nearby Truro to make this a great star gazing spot.Visit Trelissick
- Wasdale, Cumbria
- Surround yourself with the peace and quiet of the deserted lakes and focus on what you can see above. A stay at the Wasdale campsite turns this trip into the perfect weekend escape.Discover Wasdale
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No. 27 Go stargazing
Stargazing is a magical way to bring science alive and experience the beauty of our natural world. Going stargazing is no. 27 on our list of ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
Celebrating our right to roam
This year marks 90 years since the mass trespass on Kinder Scout in Derbyshire that led to the right to roam. To celebrate, we're working with arts organisation Walk the Plank and UNBOXED to hold live events at the places in our care as part of the Green Space Dark Skies project. Those taking part in these filmed events at dusk will join thousands of others around the UK to carry low-impact lights across the landscapes they love.