Dark Skies Holidays
The UK's national parks, wild places and rural countryside are the best places to go stargazing and experience our fabulous Dark Skies – thousands of stars, distant planets, twinkling constellations and even the sheer sweep of our own galaxy, the Milky Way, can all be seen in areas where light pollution is low. In fact, if you're after a UK stargazing holiday, it's good to know that you can normally see at least ten times as many stars in the darkest areas of the country as in a town or city. Our handy Dark Skies accommodation guide picks out some amazing UK stargazing locations, from remote hostels and country B&Bs to deeply rural holiday cottages, hotels and forest lodges. Stay up late, look up and gaze in wonder at the UK's glorious night skies, then back to bed for a great night's sleep!
Main photo: Under Starry Skies, Llansadwrn, Wales
Best Places to stay for fabulous stargazing
A cosy place to stay in the heart of the Peak District
Barrel Inn, Bretton, Near Eyam, Hope Valley, Derbyshire S32 5QD
Holidays in East Midlands
Holidays in Derbyshire
Holidays in Hathersage
Has all the charm of an old inn in a little visited Lake District corner
Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater CA13 0RU
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Loweswater
Stunning country house getaway overlooking Loch Awe.
Ardanaiseig, Kilchrenan, Taynuilt, Argyll PA35 1HE
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Argyll & Bute
A genteel country house hotel just outside Hawes, North Yorkshire
Simonstone Hall, Hawes, North Yorkshire DL8 3LY
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Hawes
Seaside chic and great food in a fabulous coastal location.
The Gallivant, New Lydd Road, Camber Sands, Rye, East Sussex TN31 7RB
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in East Sussex
Holidays in Rye
This Lancashire inn is a shining beacon of good cooking and warm hospitality
The Cartford Inn, Cartford Lane, Little Eccleston, Near Preston, Lancashire PR3 0YP
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Lancashire
Holidays in Preston
Dylan Thomas's old watering-hole in Laugharne is a terrific boutique venue at any time of year.
Browns, King Street, Laugharne, Carmarthenshire SA33 4RY
Holidays in South Wales
Holidays in Carmarthenshire
Holidays in Laugharne
An ideal youth hostel for outdoor enthusiast,s set in oneof Scotland’s most iconic landscapes.
Glencoe Youth Hostel, Glencoe Ballachulish Argyll PH49 4HX
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Argyll & Bute
Just yards away from thewhite sands of Achmelvich beach – your own slice of hostel paradise.
Achmelvich Beach Youth Hostel, Recharn By Lochinver, Sutherland, IV27 4JB
Holidays in Central Scotland
Cool, sophisticated and unusual, foodie hotel in an easy-to-get-to but remote location
Monachyle Mhor Hotel, Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Perthshire FK19 8PQ
Holidays in Central Scotland
Holidays in Perthshire
Holidays in Killin
A contemporary set of holiday-accommodation for dendrophiles and friends
Portavadie, Portavadie, Loch Fyne, Argyll PA21 2DA
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Argyll & Bute
Cringletie House Hotel, Edinburgh Road, Peebles, Tweedale EH45 8PL
Holidays in South Scotland
Holidays in Scottish Borders
Holidays in Peebles
Rustic yet luxurious self-catering log cabins on the shores of Loch Awe
Portsonachan Log Cabins, South Loch Awe Side, Dalmally, Argyll & Bute PA33 1BJ
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Argyll & Bute
Holidays in Oban
A romantic self-catering cottage along with equally romantic glamping options - in a glorious rural location.
The Old Forge, Compton Abbas, Near Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 0NQ
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Dorset
Holidays in Shaftesbury
Proper Perthshire luxury self-catering with outdoor hot tubs and saunas.
Mains of Taymouth, Kenmore near Aberfeldy, Perthshire PH15 2HN
Holidays in Central Scotland
Holidays in Perthshire
Holidays in Aberfeldy
Luxury cottages, cabins and glamping a short drive from Cardigan Bay.
Treberfedd Farm, Treberfedd Dihewyd, Lampeter, Ceredigion SA48 7NW
Holidays in Mid Wales
Holidays in Ceredigion
Holidays in Lampeter
Three large and quirky holiday houses on a Sussex country estate.
House on the Brooks, Hardham Mill, Hardham, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 1LA
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in West Sussex
Holidays in Pulborough
An isolated staging post proud of its history, The Cluanie Inn's rooms are filled with character
Cluanie Inn, Glenmoriston, Inverness-Shire IV63 7YW
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Inverness-shire
Saracens Head, Wolterton Near Erpingham, Norfolk NR11 7LZ
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Aylsham
Many hotels on the west coast boast spectacular views, but Loch Melfort maybe has the best views of all.
Loch Melfort Hotel, Arduaine by Oban, Argyll PA34 4XG
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Argyll & Bute
Holidays in Oban
A dog friendly country pub at the heart of a lavish country estate, with rooms, great food and tremendous grounds and facilities.
Fritton Lake, Church Lane, Fritton, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR31 9HA
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Great Yarmouth
Ardachy House Hotel, Ardachy House Hotel Uisken by Bunessan Isle of Mull PA67 6DS
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Argyll & Bute
Holidays in Isle of Mull
A cosy Yorkshire Dales pub with rooms
Queen's Arms, Litton, North Yorkshire BD23 5QJ
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Settle
A no-nonsense pub with great food and comfy rooms – a hikers' favourite!
The Buck Inn, Malham North Yorkshire BD23 4DA
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Malham
Comfortable and clean pub accommodation at the Britannia Inn by Elterwater. Pop in for a beer and stay a few days.
Britannia Inn, Elterwater, Cumbria LA22 9HP
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Ambleside
A gracious West Sussex country house hotel with swish spa.
Park House Hotel & Spa, Bepton, Midhurst, West Sussex GU29 0JB
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in West Sussex
Holidays in Midhurst
Glorious isolation in a beautiful part of Scotland, free from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Muasdale Holiday Apartments, Muasdale, Tarbert, Argyll PA29 6XD
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Argyll & Bute
Holidays in Muasdale
A wonderful dog-friendly hideaway that feels a million miles from the modern world.
Cuckoo Brow Inn, Far Sawrey, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 0LQ
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Ambleside
A very comfortable North Cornwall boutique bed-and-breakfast
Costislost House, Washaway, Wadebridge, Cornwall PL30 3AP
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Wadebridge
This historic coaching inn is one of the most iconic Cornish locations you could choose to stay in.
Jamaica Inn, Bolventor, Launceston, Cornwall PL15 7TS
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Launceston
A proper pub with comfortable en-suite rooms in the heart of Hackney.
The Old Ship, 2 Sylvester Path, London E8 1EN
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Greater London
Holidays in Hackney
A refurbished historic pub with rooms and excellent food in a beautiful Lake District location.
The Queen's Head Hotel, Troutbeck Brow, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 1PW
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Windermere
Exquisite décor throughout this dog friendly B&B, hidden in the North Yorkshire village of Austwick
The Traddock, Austwick, Settle, North Yorkshire LA2 8BY
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Settle
Tan Hill Inn, Reeth, Swaledale, North Yorkshire, England, DL11 6ED, UK
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Reeth
Not far from Falmouth, this is a unique Cornwall hotel nestled in its own by sub-tropical gardens overlooking the sea
Hotel Meudon, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 5HT
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Falmouth
A beautiful contemporary boutique hotel by the sea with gorgeous rooms and a superb restaurant
The Idle Rocks, Harbourside St, Mawes, Cornwall, TR2 5AN
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
A beautiful country house hotel set in gorgeous grounds in the heart of St Davids, Pembrokeshire
Penrhiw Priory, St Davids, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire SA62 6PG
Holidays in South Wales
Holidays in Pembrokeshire
Holidays in St Davids
A friendly, well-catered hostel that's convenient for Snowdonia – and, in particular, Snowdon itself.
Lodge Dinorwig, Lodge Dinorwig, Dinorwig, Gwynedd, North Wales LL55 3EY
Holidays in North Wales
Holidays in Gwynedd
Holidays in Llanberis
One of the UK's most remote youth hostels, ensconced amongst some of its most dramatic mountain and coastal scenery.
Torridon Youth Hostel, Achnasheen, Ross-Shire IV22 2EZ
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Ross-shire
A cosy youth hostel on the northern shore of Loch Gairloch with magnificent sea and mountain views
Gairloch Sands Youth Hostel, Carn Dearg Gairloch, Ross-shire IV21 2DJ
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Ross-shire
The perfect budget base for Loch Lomond - and watersports of all kinds
Rowardennan Lodge Youth Hostel, Rowardennan By Drymen, Near Glasgow G63 OAR
Holidays in Central Scotland
A modern barn conversion between the Cambrian Mountains and Cardigan Bay
Ysgubor Holiday Cottage, Nant yr Onnen, Tregaron, Ceredigion SY25 6NH
Holidays in Mid Wales
Holidays in Ceredigion
Holidays in Tregaron
Self-catering eco-lodges in a beautiful nature and conservation centre.
Denmark Farm, Denmark Farm Eco Campsite, Betws Bledrws, Lampeter, Ceredigion, SA48 8PB
Holidays in Mid Wales
Holidays in Ceredigion
Holidays in Lampeter
A comfortable converted barn in a gloriously tranquil rural location in the heart of Suffolk
Ivy Grange Farm Barn, Butts Road, Westhall, Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 8RN
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Halesworth
A haven of peace that's also a perfect base for exploring Sheringham and the North Norfolk Coast.
Tree Top View, 34a Brook Road, Sheringham, Norfolk NR26 8QE
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Sheringham & Cromer
A former cider mill converted to a delightful beamed cottage for two, amid some lovely Worcestershire countryside.
Cider Mill Cottage, Ayngstree, Clifton Upon Teme, Worcestershire WR6 6DS
Holidays in West Midlands
Holidays in Worcestershire
Holidays in Worcester
Two beautiful eco- and family-friendly self-catering properties in a lovely rural location close to the Exmoor National Park.
Middle Stone Farm Cottage & Cabin, Middle Stone Farm, Brompton Ralph, Somerset TA4 2RT
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Somerset
Holidays in Taunton
A bright, contemporary seaside cottage in the heart of the North Norfolk Coast resort of Sheringham – 2 minutes from the beach and coast path
Cliff Cottage, Sheringham, Sheringham Salt, NR26 8BJ
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Sheringham & Cromer
