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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: 11
Star Gazing with a difference. Join us on our beautiful private country estate for an evening of Food, Spoon Whittling and Star Gazing. A truly memorable experience.
Ambleside
With stunning views onto the fells, our Stargazer Rooms with their huge windows are ideal for enjoying the night skies. The elegant rooms have handpicked furnishings and with the well fitted bathrooms and luxurious toiletries, they provide a…
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…
Windermere
We are proud to promote the stunning dark skies which the Lake District offers and have resources and equipment to help our guests enjoy the night’s sky with an evening of stargazing. We have two stargazing rucksacks available for guests to use…
Fire, Food and Stars… A perfect evening, well spent! The session involves you learning how to fillet a whole Rainbow Trout and cook it indigenous style over an open fire. You will of course have a go at lighting the fire, only using traditional…
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…
AMBLESIDE
Join us this winter for a stellar stay that combines the comforts of The Wordsworth Hotel in the heart of Grasmere with the magic of one of the best Orion viewing spots at Allen Bank, just a seven-minute walk away.
Experience something truly unique. 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.
Our guided Dark Sky mountain walks are great fun, hassle-free and you get to see the Lake District in a whole new light – Starlight. You will meet your friendly local guide a couple of hours before sunset, where they will lead you up the mountain…
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…
Nr Cockermouth
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…
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