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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.
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.
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.
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.
Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.
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’.
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.