There’s nothing like looking up at the infinite night sky to feel both humbled and inspired. Stippled with millions of bright-eyed jewels blinking in the darkness, the skies above hold unparalleled mystery and allure – best enjoyed in one of the UK’s first-class Dark Sky Reserves.
Needless to say, stargazing is a fascinating activity that calls to all generations looking to lose themselves in the majesty of the night sky. But where are the best places to go to see stars and constellations, planets and meteors, and more? To help you pick the best spots, we’ve put together a guide to some of the best places for stargazing on the coast in the UK and Ireland.
Exmoor National Park, England
The first International Dark Sky Reserve in Europe, Exmoor National Park is a mecca for stargazers from far and wide. Home to rugged moorland and upland heath, Exmoor also boasts a beautiful stretch of coastline that is perfect for stargazing throughout the year. Head to some of the park’s astronomy hotspots inland or, for an amazing coastal twist, venture over to the Valley of the Rocks and watch as the light of countless stars bounces and dances off inky seas.
North York Moors, England
The North York Moors is one of England’s newest Dark Sky Reserves, receiving its official status in 2020. Internationally recognised for its stunning star-scapes, it calls to comet-watchers and star-gazers from across the globe, showing off the northern hemisphere’s striking constellations. For the best viewing, while staying in the North York Moors, the clifftops around Ravenscar and Robin Hood’s Bay are especially popular with uninterrupted views of sea and sky. If you plan on arriving in February, you can also attend the annual Dark Skies Festival too, held at various locations across the reserve.
Northumberland Coast AONB, England
With the whole of the Northumberland Coast AONB’s east side fringed with coastline, it’s not hard to find a scenic spot to sit and star-watch for a while. That said, there are some particularly beautiful spots that offer minimal light pollution and often-idyllic conditions in the form of Boulmer, Goswick, and Hauxley, which are close to Northumberland’s holiday hotspots. If you’d like to delve deeper, you can also join up with Northumberland Astronomical Society and attend one of their many events and talks throughout the year.
The Gower Peninsula, Wales
Achieving worldwide fame for its stunning aesthetics, the Gower AONB in South Wales offers incredible scenery by day and stunning stargazing by night. Indeed, once night-time cloaks its golden-sand beaches, the skies above the peninsula open up to reveal an incredible tapestry studded with celestial gems and flecked with starlight. Night or day, the Gower Peninsula is an awesome place to stay. For some of the best star-gazing around, bundle up some blankets, a torch, and a flask of something warm and head over to Rhossili ready for Mother Nature’s show.
South Downs National Park, England
Whether you’re an astrophotographer honing your skills or you simply would like to hunker down and savour the moment, the South Downs National Park is the place to be. An International Dark Sky Reserve in South East England, this dark sky haven restricts artificial light pollution so that star-gazers can enjoy the UK’s night sky in all its glory. This National Park also hosts the South Downs Dark Skies Festival each February, promising a range of nocturnal wildlife walks and stargazing parties.
Fort William, Scotland
Scotland is well-known for its incredible natural beauty, boasting saw-toothed mountains, silvery lakes and thick belts of ancient forest. Fortunately, it also benefits from an incredible coastline that surrounds all but one side of its borders, providing plenty of opportunity for stargazing far from city lights. For some of the best clear-viewing opportunities around, Fort William has access to two of Scotland’s top Dark Sky Sites, including Glen Nevis and Corran Point.
The Hebrides, Scotland
Scotland’s Hebrides are one of the few places in the UK where you can see the Aurora and as such make for one of the most exciting destinations for astronomers in Europe. Wild and remote, the possibilities for stunning stargazing here come year-round, though the Northern Lights are particularly active between September and March. One of our favourite Hebridean Islands, the Isle of Mull, is one of the best to use as a base for stargazing and exploring neighbouring islands too.
The Antrim Coast, Northern Ireland
Whether you’re hoping for a clear view of the Milky Way or would like to catch sight of an elusive shooting star, the Antrim Coast in Northern Ireland brims with possibility. Not only one of the few places in the UK where the Northern Lights make an appearance, but this stretch of coast is also one of only two places designated as Milky Way Class by the Dark Sky Discovery Partnership – meaning that our Galaxy can be seen by the naked eye.
Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve, Ireland
If you’d like to expand your nightly horizons, Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve will definitely pique your interest. With over 270 square miles of International Dark Sky Association-certified dark skies, it is one of the top places to visit in the country for astronomers. Kerry also happens to host the non-profit Skellig Star Party, a popular gathering held each August in Ballinskelligs for astronomers of all ages, full of guided observations, talks and, naturally, food and drink.
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Wales
Pembrokeshire’s coastline is home to not only some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK but also some of the top places to stargaze too. From planets like Mars and Venus to constellations like the Big Dipper and Orion, you can spy all sorts of nightly wonders in the sky above here. That said, for the best view of the Milky Way, make sure you head to the National Trust’s designated Dark Sky car park at Broadhaven South, or for 360-degree panoramas over land and sea, head to Martins Haven headland.
Fancy a spot of stargazing on your next coastal holiday?
These are just some of the biggest and best-known dark sky areas across the UK and Ireland. Besides these designated areas, there are plenty of places where you can get a good view of the night sky. Many of our coastal cottages are located in remote seaside locations or in small towns or villages. We’ve even created a shortlist of coastal properties in Dark Sky areas that are perfect for stargazing on your next seaside holiday.
So book a holiday home by the sea and connect with the universe above. Just remember to look up!
