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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 best places for enjoying the dark sky 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 the dark sky without artificial light confusing their natural behaviours.
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.
Winter is the optimum time to enjoy the darkest sky 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 sky doesn’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.
The are many places to stay in the county that enable you to enjoy the dark sky, including remote cottages and hotels that offer super stargazing activities.
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.
The Cumbria Dark Sky Festival offers families the chance to learn about the stars and experience the wonder of the dark sky via a number of events taking place around the county. Find out more.
Dark Sky Inspiration
It's in the darkest skies that we see the brightest stars

Number of results: 29
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High to Low
Braithwaite, Keswick
Join JAG Outdoors for a walk around the forest at night.
The guided walk will cover 3-4 miles of trails enjoying the magic of the forest in the growing darkness using all your senses to explore the world after the sun sets. Weather permitting…
Newby Bridge
Join us for a spine-chilling evening of live storytelling, inspired by real Cumbrian legends and historic horrors. This immersive experience unfolds across several locations in and around The Swan — from candlelit rooms to riverside paths and…
Penrith
Adults £14 U12's £8 inc.Food and hot drink
Join us for an exciting evening of stargazing, talks and food with our expert astronomers in the Lake District National Park. Ticket price includes a lovely hot drink, delicious soup and pie.
Our stunning…
Wasdale
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 back…
Middleton Road, Alston
Come along to this fabulous stargazing opportunity at the Alston Moor Observatory on Saturday 25 October, 6pm to 9pm. It is a combination of themed talks, and (weather permitting) stargazing.
There will be talks and a stargazing opportunity at a…
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…
Kendal
Having the right kind of outside lighting is important, and not only to help people be able to see the night sky clearly. Join Jack Ellerby on a short (0.5 mile) walk around Kendal to look at dark sky lighting projects covering road and footway,…
Little Crosthwaite, Keswick
2-night residential stay at Calvert Lakes (twin or family ensuite rooms). Full board and lots of starry themed activities including accessible star-gazing with Cockermouth Astronomical Society; indoor climbing; hydrotherapy pool & sauna; stomp…
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…
Newby Bridge
Time: 7.00pm
Location: Begins in The Ballroom, The Swan Hotel
Join us for a spine-chilling evening of live storytelling, inspired by real Cumbrian legends and historic horrors. This immersive experience unfolds across several locations in and…
Keswick
Looking for something fun-filled, action-packed and adventurous this autumn? Back for 2025, Sundown Adventures makes a return to Whinlatter Forest in the Lake District. Experience tree top thrills in a whole new light for a limited time between 17th…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Join JAG Outdoors for a very family friendly festive walk around the forest at night.
The event starts in the yurt for Christmas treats and a short chat about the stars and the route Santa will take take in a few days time!!
The walk will cover…
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…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Join JAG Outdoors for a walk around the forest at night.
The guided walk will cover 3-4 miles of trails enjoying the magic of the forest in the growing darkness using all your senses to explore the world after the sun sets. Weather permitting…
A5084, 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.
You will start the guided canoe tour in the daylight, giving you time to…
Penrith
From 24 October 2025 to 28 February 2026 (excluding Christmas and New Year), guests booking a minimum two-night bed and breakfast stay at Askham Hall will be loaned a special stargazing hamper, at no extra charge.
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…
Braithwaite, Keswick
The guided walk will cover 3-4 miles of trails enjoying the magic of the forest in the growing darkness using all your senses to explore the world after the sun sets. Weather permitting there will hopefully also be able to stop for some amazing…
Yealand Redmayne
Join the Landscape Trust, National Landscape team and members of Eddington (Kendal) Astronomical Society for an evening of stargazing at Coldwell Nature Reserve.
We will be meeting at the entrance to Coldwell Meadow (Grid Ref - SD 47767 77594) at…
Kirkby Stephen
Look out for wildlife as darkness descends at Bowber Head. It is late in the season for a lot of wildlife but there may be a chance to see barn owl, tawny owl, late season bats, hares and anything else that might surprise us. Then we will look…
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