It’s easy to forget how magical the night sky can be when you live in a big city. Light pollution often means we’re lucky to see just a few stars on a clear night – yet gazing up at a glittering sky is one of life’s wonders.
There’s something grounding about getting lost in the mystery of the cosmos, and reminding ourselves that whatever’s going on in our lives, we’re just specks in a vast, impenetrable universe.
And the good news is that the UK is packed with top stargazing destinations – places where you can see not just hundreds of stars above you, but thousands. Many of these destinations are much closer than you might think too.
So, if you’d like to feel more connected to the universe and experience that unique starry-eyed sensation of wonder, here are 10 of the best stargazing destinations to visit in the UK.
1. Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales
In 2013, the Brecon Beacons became only the fifth destination in the world to be given International Dark Sky Reserve Status. It’s one of the few places in the world, not just the UK, where the skies remain untouched by light pollution, and on a cloudless night, you can spot all kinds of magical sights, including the Milky Way, major constellations, bright nebulae, and meteor showers.
Stretching for almost 520 square miles across South Wales, there are plenty of places within this beautiful mountain range and wild moorland to take in the constellations, although some of the best spots to set up a telescope are Carreg Cennen castle, Usk Reservoir, the national park visitor centre, and the ruins of Llanthony Priory.
As Wales’ first dark sky reserve, the Brecon Beacons National Park has gone to considerable lengths to conserve its starry views and minimise light pollution, and many B&Bs and guest houses have telescopes you can borrow. If you’re interested in astrophotography, it’s also worth driving to atmospheric Llanthony Priory, and documenting the night sky as it settles against the valley.
Discover the beauty of Wales
2. South Downs National Park, England
The South Downs was only given national park status in 2010 but it took England’s newest national park just a further six years to be appointed a Dark Sky Reserve. Stretching from Hampshire to East Sussex, the South Downs National Park is a little over an hour from London, yet 66% of the park is rated as having bronze-level skies, which means the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies are visible.
The rolling hills, soaring cliffs, stately castles, and pretty villages draw plenty of tourists during the day, but visiting at night can be even more special. There are seven stargazing hotspots within the park: Iping Common, Devil’s Dyke, Ditchling Beacon, Birling Gap, Butser Hill, Old Winchester Hill, and Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium. Head to any of these hotspots on a clear night for cosmic views.
The South Downs Dark Skies Festival will return between 10–18 February 2024, so this is a great time to visit. During these 10 days, you can attend a whole host of nighttime events, from nocturnal wildlife walks to stargazing parties.
Explore the South Downs’ skies
3. North York Moors National Park, England
If you’re based in the northeast of England, then the North York Moors National Park is one of the best places to stargaze. Its low levels of light pollution mean that there are three dark sky discovery sites within the park – places where the Milky Way can be seen with the naked eye and up to 2,000 stars are visible: Sutton Bank National Park Centre, The Moors National Park Centre, and Dalby Forest.
Other great spots for stargazing include Old Saltburn, Boulby Cliff, Rievaulx Terrace, and Kettleness and Ravenscar. Generally speaking, the further north you are, the darker the sky is – which means you even have a chance of witnessing the elusive Northern Lights.
The park’s ninth Dark Skies Festival will be held from 9th–25th February, when there’ll be 17 days of star-related activities and nighttime events. You can try out night running, astrophotography workshops, stargazing safaris, canoeing and night navigation, and art workshops and mindful experiences.
Be amazed in Yorkshire
4. Exmoor National Park, England
Straddling Somerset and North Devon, Exmoor National Park was declared Europe’s first-ever International Dark Sky Reserve back in 2011, and it remains one of the best places in the UK to go stargazing. Thanks to the lack of artificial light over the moor, this wild stretch of land has incredibly dark skies, and on the clearest nights, around 3,000 stars are visible to the naked eye.
While many visitors are drawn by the rugged cliffs, beautiful valleys, and ancient burial grounds, many come here just to stargaze – and some of the best sites for astral views include Holdstone Hill, Webbers Post, Anstey Gate, County Gate, Brendon Two Gates, Haddon Hill, and Wimbleball Lake.
Every October Exmoor National Parks hosts its Darks Skies Festival, and usually there are more than 40 events each year, from 12-hour night runs to forest and full-moon walks. You can rent telescopes from the visitor centres too.
Go stargazing
5. Snowdonia National Park, Wales
Home to lush valleys, shimmering lakes, and thundering waterfalls – as well as Wales’ highest peak – Snowdonia National Park is a popular destination for hiking, but its starry skies are pretty stunning too. As one of the remotest parts of the UK, Snowdonia boasts some of the darkest and clearest views of the cosmos, and it was awarded Dark Sky Reserve status in 2015.
Not only can you see the Milky Way with the naked eye from here, but you also get a brilliant view of the North Star, which is the brightest star in the Ursa Minor constellation. The Cassiopeia constellation is visible too, and meteor showers are also pretty common.
There are many great spots to stargaze in Snowdonia, but three of the best locations are the lakes of Llyn y Dywarchen, Llynnau Cregennen, and Llyn Geirionydd. The surrounding area is also steeped in myths and legends, which makes stargazing feel even more magical. The mountain pass of Bwlch y Groes and the former gamekeeper’s house of Tŷ Cipar are also recommended stargazing sites.
Marvel at the Milky Way in Wales
6. Yorkshire Dales National Park, England
Known for its rolling green valleys, purple hills, dry-stone walls, and flower-filled meadows, the Yorkshire Dales National Park boasts an impressive four designated Dark Sky Discovery Sites: Tan Hill Inn, Hawes and Malham National Park centres, and Buckden car park.
On a clear night, you can see as many as 2,000 stars here, while the Milky Way, planets, and meteors are often visible too. When the conditions are right, you may even be lucky enough to spot the Northern Lights (head over to Aurora Watch to track its activity). Plus, as the third brightest object in the sky, the International Space Station is often visible, travelling at 17,000mph above.
In February, the Yorkshire Dales National Park will be joining forces with the North York Moors National Park to celebrate the Dark Skies festival, where they’ll host lots of different stargazing events, from nighttime kayaking along Scar House Reservoir to guided night walks around Grimwith Reservoir, when you’ll be accompanied by an expert planetologist.
Try to spot the Northern Lights
7. Galloway Forest Park, Scotland
While Scotland may not have any official dark sky reserves, it is the home of the UK’s first Dark Sky Park. Located just a couple of hours from Glasgow, Galloway Forest in Dumfries and Galloway was given the Dark Sky Park accolade in 2009, and it’s widely considered to be one of Scotland’s best astronomy destinations, with some of the lowest levels of light pollution.
It’s also the largest forest park in the UK, encompassing over 300 square miles of wild scenery, so you won’t be short of space. More than 7,000 stars and planets, as well as the bright band of the Milky Way, are visible with the naked eye, and the best stargazing hotspots include Clatteringshaws visitor centre, Loch Doon, and the panoramic viewing points by Carrick Forest Drive.
8. Carrick-a-Rede Island, Northern Ireland
While there are over 150 dark sky discovery sites in the UK, only two are found in Northern Ireland – and Carrick-a-Rede Island is thought to be the best. If you live nearby, it’s worth making a trip here – and the rugged coastal views in the daytime are just another bonus.
Located near Ballintoy in County Antrim, Carrick-a-Rede Island can be reached by a rope bridge that was first set up by a local fisherman in 1755. The site is now owned by the National Trust, which hosts stargazing evenings with the Northern Ireland Amateur Astronomy Society.
For the most magical experience, you might want to trek the 66 feet across the bridge, with the churning Atlantic Ocean beneath you – but the 24-hour car park of this National Trust site is far more accessible, and also boasts excellent dark skies.
Embrace nature in Northern Ireland
9. Northumberland National Park, England
Known as ‘England’s last great wilderness’, Northumberland is home to the least populated national park in the UK – so it’s perhaps unsurprising that it’s such a great spot to stargaze. Together with Kielder Water and Forest Park, Northumberland National Park forms part of the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, which at 1,483 square km, is Europe’s largest area of protected night sky.
The pristine skies here have been awarded gold tier designation by the International Dark Sky Association, which means that the entire array of visible sky phenomena can be seen with the naked eye. On a clear night, you can see millions of stars, the Milky Way, and even the Andromeda Galaxy (which is a staggering 2.5 million light years away!).
There are 12 dark sky discovery sites here, from where you might spot the Northern Lights, as well as meteors, airglow (atmospheric light), and zodiacal light (sunlight scattered by space dust). The hills of the East Kielder Moors are great for stargazing, but if you’d like to see even more, head to Kielder Observatory, which holds night sky safaris, aurora nights, and full-moon parties throughout the year.
10. Tomintoul and Glenlivet, Scotland
If you’re based in the Scottish highlands, then the best and nearest place to stargaze is the stunning Cairngorms National Park. As the most northerly Dark Sky region of the UK, you have the best chances of spotting the Northern Lights here, and while the Cairngorms as a whole boasts excellent dark skies, the best Dark Sky Discovery Sites can be found in Tomintoul and Glenlivet Dark Sky Park.
As the Northern gateway to the Cairngorms, this park is one of the most dramatically beautiful places in the UK, but its rugged landscapes are just as awe-inspiring at night. Head to either Tomintoul Field of Hope, The Carrachs car park, or Glenlivet Blairfindy car park, for your best views of the Milky Way – and your best chances of spotting the Northern Lights.
Another perk of stargazing here is that you get bi-annual views of the Spring equinox (around 20th March) and the Autumn equinox (around 23rd September) – which is when the centre of the sun is directly above the equator.
Final thoughts….
There’s nothing more magical and mysterious than the universe – but as our urban areas become bigger and brighter, it’s becoming more difficult to see the wonders of the heavens.
Most of us live in areas that suffer from significant light pollution, which means that we won’t experience the awe-inspiring sight of the Milky Way and a sky full of stars unless we go looking for it. But, the good news is that there are national parks, dark sky reserves, and dark sky parks all across the country – so no matter where you live, you’re not too far from witnessing the magic of the night sky.
From the rolling hills of South England to the dramatic mountains of North Wales, and the furthest stretches of Scotland, we’re lucky enough to have some of the world’s best stargazing spots right on our doorstep.
So why not take advantage of the long, dark nights and head out for a night of stargazing? You don’t even need a telescope to experience the thrill of stargazing. Just wrap up warm, pack a thermos of hot chocolate or coffee, and bring your sense of adventure. And who knows, you might even catch the Northern Lights!
Do you enjoy stargazing? Have you been to any of these stargazing spots? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.