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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: 30
, currently showing 1 to 20.
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 reviewsKirkby Stephen
Look out for wildlife as darkness descends at Smardale, it is late in the season for a lot of wildlife but there may be a chance to see red squirrel, badger, hear tawny owl, water fowl, late season bats, anything else that might surprise us under…
Carlisle
Please join us for a special tour of Carlisle Cathedral as part of the Cumbria Tourism's Dark Skies Festival!
Climb up to our clerestory to experience the Cathedral in a unique way. Get up close to our medieval stained glass in the East Window and…
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…
Coniston
Experience a night-time adventure with the whole family on Coniston Water in rafted canoes. Enjoy the beauty and vastness of the night sky in the heart of the Lake District.
Alston
Celebrate the dark skies of the North Pennines and join us for a free mine trip like no other at this evening event held at Nenthead Mines.
During this workshop you will learn how to make your own paper lantern that you will get to take away…
Keswick
Join JAG Outdoors for a walk around the forest at night.
The walk will cover up 5 - 7 miles in the forest and out on to the fell tops just outside the forest bounds, depending on the weather and conditions.
This is a more challenging…
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…
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…
Coniston
Brantwood Dark Skies and Pie Stargazing Night – Guided walk with professional Mountain Leader, Martin Rivett
Join Martin who has a passion for storytelling about the stars we see at night, as he leads a night walk through the Brantwood Estate…
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
Forestry England members join us for a member only 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…
Keswick
Join fantastic astronomers from the Cockermouth Astronomical Society.
We'll have telescopes set up, but do bring your own, binoculars and phones with tripods.
Here's to a clear night and being able to see being able to see the Milky Way…
Penrith
Experience the dazzling starry skies in the Lake District National Park with an expert astronomer at one of Near Howe's dedicated stargazing events.
We'll be joined by Andy Gray, an astronomer and a science teacher for 20 years. Andy's…
Ullswater
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…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Join us for a magical guided evening walk through the forest.
Listen out for owls, learn about the wildlife in the forest and experience the wonders of the night sky. Finish with hot chocolate & marshmallows around a campfire.
Please bring a…
Middleton in Teesdale Rd, Alston
Talk and stargazing opportunity at Alston Moor Golf Club – a truly dark site in the South Tyne Valley. This will be a double event in one evening: firstly there will be a stargazing event with talks and stargazing; and secondly it is an ideal…
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 reviewsBowness
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
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