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Cumbria is blessed with unspoiled vistas boasting imposing mountains, dramatic valleys, rolling countryside, lake views and a rugged coastline. The beauty of the area is spellbinding. As grateful as we are for our wonderous landscape, we have another natural wonder to marvel at that is truly out of this world. Look above you. Cumbria has some of the darkest skies in the whole of the UK which means on a clear night you could be standing amongst the stars gazing at the heavens. Whether a novice stargazer or an amateur astronomer, the Lake District, Cumbria easily outshines the city lights for a memorable autumn or winter holiday, with thousands of stars visible on a clear night.
Guided by the light of the stars, don’t forget to look down and see the thriving wildlife in their natural habitat. Nocturnal creatures flourish under dark skies without artificial light confusing their natural behaviours.
What to look for
Meteor showers are a spectacular sight. It’s also fun to point out the constellations – Orion’s Belt is one of the easiest to spot. If you get the timing right, you can see the International Space Station. There are people up there so don’t forget to wave! Believe it or not, planets are often the easiest things to spot with the naked eye. Venus can be incredibly bright. Plus, on a clear night you can easily make out our galaxy, The Milky Way. This is a flat spiral but from our perspective it looks like a bright band across the sky.
What time of year?
Winter is the optimum time to enjoy the darkest skies plus the kids don’t need to stay up late. Highlight: Witnessing a meteor shower is an incredible experience. Look out for the Quadrantids in January.
Summer nights are, of course warmer. However, the skies don’t really get fully dark in June and July. Highlight: The Perseids meteor shower in August.
Spring is a great time for stargazing. The weather is warming up but there are still long hours of darkness. Highlight: In spring you can still see Orion and the stick figures of Gemini on a clear night.
Autumn, like spring, is a good time for mild nights but plenty of after dark hours. Highlight: the Milky Way is best seen in Autumn when it is high overhead and spans much of the sky.
Dark Sky friendly accommodation
The are many places to stay in the parts of the county with the darkest skies including remote cottages and hotels that offer stargazing activities
Cumbria Dark Skies Festival
The Cumbria Dark Skies Festival offers families the chance to learn about the stars and experience the wonder of dark skies via a number of events taking place around the county. Find out more.
Places to go
Due to Cumbria’s lack of light pollution you are spoilt for choice for places to see the stars. Try the Dark Sky Discovery site of Low Gillerthwaite, Ennerdale or the remote and beautiful Wasdale Valley. Asby Common in the Eden Valley is a wild, open space and Grizedale Forest has regular star gazing events for all the family to enjoy.
Dark Skies Inspiration
It's in the darkest skies that we see the brightest stars
Number of results: 22
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Keswick
Here at Castlerigg Hall, our holiday park is well set up to help you enjoy a night under the stars. Holiday under the night’s sky in one of our Hex Pod glamping pods, fitted with skylights so that you can appreciate the beautiful stars from the…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
589 reviewsUllswater
Choose to either swim at night under the light of the full moon or during the new moon when you can see the stars more clearly. The Milky Way can often be seen over Ullswater. You will experience 20 to 40 mins in the water with glow sticks and…
Penrith
Near Howe enjoys minimal light pollution and uninterrupted views of the stars on clear, dark nights and is proud to be a Dark Sky friendly destination. Guests can glimpse the Milky Way in all its glory along with sparkling star clusters from…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
265 reviewsAnother Place The Lake, Ullswater, Watermillock
Swim in Ullswater lake at night under The Milky Way, the glow of your light-up tow float keeping you company under the stars. Open water swimming specialist, Colin Hill, will be your guide in the water with you. Afterwards, head back to Another…
Workington
Our Dark Sky package is specially designed to ensure you are able to fully enjoy your stargazing experience. We provide use of a Sky-watcher telescope and comfortable outdoor seating, as well as blankets, hot water bottles, hot drinks and light…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
40 reviewsGrasmere
Explore the wonders of the winter night sky. Our astronomy experts will take you on a whistle stop tour of the universe on the big screen. You'll learn about stars, planets and galaxies and our place in the universe.
Then, weather permitting, we…
Newby Bridge
Join us for a night learning about the universe and stargazing on the shores of Windermere.
Explore the wonders of the winter night sky. Our astronomy experts will take you on a whistle stop tour of the universe on the big screen. You'll learn…
Grasmere
Free event. To help celebrate the Grasmere Switch Off we will be opening the grounds of Allan Bank after dark to allow visitors to enjoy this unique date in the year where you can enjoy a true dark skies experience.
We are taking bookings for 1…
Coniston
Brantwood Dark Skies and Pie Moonlight Walk – Guided walk with professional Mountain Leader, Martin Rivett
Join Martin who has a passion for storytelling about the sky we see on a moonlit night, as he leads a night walk through the Brantwood Estate…
Seascale
Brought to you by the National Trust and Karen Whybrow Coaching, carry out a powerful releasing ritual and let go of all the things that are no longer serving you.
The moon is in effect a huge mirror reflecting our emotions and inner landscape…
Newby Bridge
Join us for a family-friendly evening learning about the universe and stargazing on the shores of Windermere.
Explore the wonders of the winter night sky. Our astronomy experts will take you on a whistle stop tour of the universe on the big screen.…
Bowness
Stargazing with the expert. Join astronomer Stuart Atkinson at 6pm at Cockshott Point on the shore of Windermere to look at the stars, then return to the Burn How Hotel for a talk, and Q&A as part of the meet the author book club series
Braithwaite, Keswick
Be part of the Cumbria Dark Skies Festival and Join JAG Outdoors for an evening of adventure, exercise, focus, fun, and wellbeing at Whinlatter.
Starting with a run, followed by an hour of yoga in the yurt, and finish with a short shivasna…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Join JAG Outdoors for a walk around the forest at night and be part of the Cumbria Dark Skies Festival!
Covering 3-4 miles of trails, and weather permitting, stopping for some amazing star gazing opportunities. As an amateur astronomer Jo can …
Hawkshead
Join us for an introduction to the sights, sounds and stories of Grizedale at night.
Our knowledgeable and friendly rangers will guide you on a short, level, walk followed by an informal night sky session.
Discover the stars above you, try your…
Arnside
Join us to learn about the night skies in Arnside & Silverdale National Landscape.
The evening will start with a talk at Arnside WI Hall, followed (weather permitting) by a stargazing session at the Landscape Trust's Coldwell Nature Reserve…
Grasmere
Join us for a family-friendly evening learning about the universe. Explore the wonders of the winter night sky. Our astronomy experts will take you on a whistle stop tour of the universe on the big screen. You will learn some fun facts about stars,…
Coniston
Join us on a tranquil night-time canoe paddle on Coniston Water and enjoy the beauty and vastness of the night sky in the heart of the Lake District.
It is an evening full of adventure, star gazing, stories and mythology and of course lots of fun!…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Join us for a introduction to the sights, sounds and stories of Whinlatter at night.
Our knowledgeable and friendly rangers will guide you on a forest walk followed by an informal session looking at the night sky. Discover the stars above you,…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Ever wondered how Santa navigates the skies on Christmas Eve? Join Jo from JAG Outdoors for a guided walk around the forest and look for the stars that help Santa find his way!
The walk will cover 3-4 miles of trails, and weather permitting, there…
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