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

Wanderlusts Gypsy Caravans

North West England, Cumbria, Penrith

£111

Loose Reins

South West England, Dorset, Blandford Forum

3 Cabins, 3 Canvas Lodges
Safari Lodges

Longlands Glamping

South West England, Devon, Ilfracombe

5 Safari lodges
Safari Lodges

Crowtree Wigwams

East Midlands, Derbyshire

Each wigwam sleeps 4 people

Bulworthy Project

South West England, Devon

Sleeps 2

£140

Fforest Fields Cottage

Mid Wales, Powys, Llandrindod Wells

Yurts & 1 Cottage
Cottage

£65

The Bothy at Racquety Farm

Mid Wales, Powys, Hay-on-Wye

4 Cabins/Houses & Glamping
Cabin

£175

Tillingham Vineyard

South East England, East Sussex, Rye

11 Rooms & 2 Bell Tents
Restaurant with Rooms

£80

Skye Shepherd Huts

Scottish Isles

Shepherd’s huts

£142

The Gamekeeper's Cottage

South West England, Devon, Bideford

Sleeps 2
Cottage

£62.50

Tom's Eco Lodge – Tapnell Farm

South East England, Isle Of Wight, Freshwater

Safari Tents, Cabins & Pods

£230

Shank Wood Log Cabin

North West England, Cumbria, Carlisle

One Log Cabin

£135

Y Talbot

Mid Wales, Ceredigion, Tregaron

13 En-Suite Rooms & Suites
Pub with Rooms

£155

The Stables at The Torridon

Highlands, Ross-shire

12 Guest Rooms & Suites
Country House Hotel
Pub with Rooms

Three Chimneys

Scottish Isles

6 Luxury Suites
Restaurant with Rooms

£140

The Inn at Whitewell

North West England, Lancashire, Clitheroe

24 double room and 1 suite
Boutique Hotel

Glenbrittle Youth Hostel

Highlands, Argyll & Bute

£120

The Cabin-in-the-Vines ★★★★★

East Anglia, Suffolk, Halesworth

Cabin

£84

Cider House

South Wales, Monmouthshire, Abergavenny

Sleeps 2
Cottage

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Dark Skies Destinations

Where is the best place to stargaze in the UK?

The far-flung rural areas of the British Isles’ national parks provide the best locations for stargazing, with Wales, the Scottish Highlands, Northumberland, Cornwall and Norfolk giving some of the best views. The best places are those with little or no light pollution, and you can’t get more remote than the middle of Bodmin Moor in Devon. If you’re feeling adventurous, the Grade II listed miner’s cottage of Leskernick could be one of the best. And don’t worry, it’s near enough to the A30 not to be completely “Withnail and I”. Other great spots for stargazing are the cottages at Graig Wen in Snowdonia, Neudadd Cottages in the Brecon Beacons, Ysgubor Cottage in Ceredigion or Caingorm Lodges in The Cairngorms National Park.

Are there accommodations specifically designed for stargazing or astronomy enthusiasts?

Astronomy and stargazing as a pastime and profession has become increasingly popular, and some rural retreats in light pollution-free areas provide telescopes for their guests. The unique and award-winning Windmill in Suffolk is a fantastic stargazing spot- perfect with its rural location and 360-degree views and complete with two double bedrooms and a terrace out front.

How far are the dark skies destinations from light-polluted areas?

This can vary depending on the position of the place- a good 20 to 30 miles from any major city should be enough to provide a dark enough sky to see stars- but it also depends if you’re on top of a hill or down in a valley. The further away from civilisation you are the more of the sky you can see, but the good news is that there are a number of easily accessible places where you can experience fabulous night skies – for example at Gravel Farm in Cambridgeshire, Clawford Lakes and Blackbird in Devon, the romantic Bothy in Northumberland and the spectacular Dalnoid Cottages and Treehouse in Perthshire.

What time of year is best to stargaze in UK?

The best time to see the Milky Way is probably February and March, before the clocks change, but the autumn months can be good for stargazing too. Keep an eye on the phases of the moon, and try and time your trip when it isn’t full and lighting up the sky. Many national park and moorland areas of the UK now host dark sky festivals, and Wales’ Brecon Beacons is now home to the first International Dark Sky Reserve, which you could witness while based at the welcoming Felin Fach Griffin Inn.

Dark Skies Holidays

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