Snowdonia National Park has been named third best place in the UK to look at the stars.
A star-studded sky is a real spectacle to see and the UK has some beautiful viewing destinations on offer.
Compared to the few stars you may spot in the sky in a local city or town, you may witness up to 2,000 at some UK National Parks.
With light pollution ever increasing, finding the perfect spot to admire the stars can be challenging. Light pollution relates to excessive or artificial light which disrupts wildlife patterns, increases carbon dioxide emissions and obscures stars in the night sky. However, with the autumn months being one of the perfect times to stargaze provided there are no clouds in the sky, searches for ‘stargazing trips’ have increased by 110 per month in the last month, according to research by Parkdean Resorts.
They have used the nine-level Bortle Scale that measures the night sky’s brightness, to determine the best places in the UK to stargaze from, and found that Snowdonia National Park is the third best place in the country.
Their top seven places are:
1. Exmoor National Park ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
As a suitable destination for all ages, Exmoor is host of the stargazing festival, Dark Skies! If you are looking for one of the best spots to take in the views, why not head to Brendon Two Gates, Webbers Post and County Gate
2. Northumberland National Park ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Awarded with Gold Tier Status by the International Dark Sky Committee, Northumberland is home to some amazing sights including the Milky Way and from time to time the Northern Lights.
3. Snowdonia National Park⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Home to some of the highest mountains in England and Wales and covering 823 miles of landscapes, it offers great hidden spots to admire the beautiful night sky.
4. Moore’s Reserve (South Downs), Sussex⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
South Downs is one of the best places in the UK to stargaze! Known as the ‘gateway to England’. Only a short distance from London, it is the perfect place to admire the stars in the dark night skies.
5. North York Moors National Park ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Offering some of the darkest skies in the country with large expanses of unpolluted sky, the North York Moors may be the perfect spot to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
6. Cranbourne Chase, Dorset ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
As an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Cranborne Chase has the lowest levels of light pollution in England making it one of the best places to see the stars in the UK.
7. Brecon Beacons Dark Sky Reserve ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Brecon Beacons is only the 5th destination in the world to be granted Dark Sky Reserve status - it is an absolute utopia for stargazing!
Top Stargazing Tips
1. Get up high!
The further up you are, the better your chance of a clear sky to see the stars, plus you’ll be able to see low down to the horizon to watch the moon rise! Take a hike in your local area and explore the surroundings to find the perfect stargazing spot! The further you are away from light pollution the better chance you’ll have of seeing the stars. Moons always rise in the east and set in the west - so follow this direction in your search.
2. Turn off the lights
For those stargazing from the comfort of their homes, turning off the lights indoors can improve the visibility of the night sky, so long as you’re not afraid of the dark! Artificial light can make it harder to see stars in the sky so make sure wherever you are is as dark as possible.
3. Choose a night with clear skies
Parkdean Resorts suggests choosing a night when clear skies are expected for the best chances of seeing the stars. Not only that, but planning the stargazing adventures for special celestial events such as the Worm Moon!
4. Research what you’re looking at
Enhance the stargazing experience and download Star Chart free on AR enabled Apple or Android devices. Star Chart allows you to point the camera at the night sky and will tell you exactly what is up there!
5. Use the Time and Date website for the best chance of spotting the planets!
Time and Date allows you to input your location, before generating information about when the planets are most visible! With lots of helpful information about what’s in the universe, this is a great way to educate the family about the wonders of space.
6. Make sure you wrap up warm
Be sure to dress up warm as you may be outside for hours. Take a blanket or mat to lie on as it can get very cold under a dark sky! Also… let’s not forget about snacks and hot drinks in a flask - they will be necessities.