If you’ve never seen the Milky Way with your own eyes, this summer might be your best chance. The Yorkshire Dales has been named the UK’s top stargazing destination, according to new research from travel experts at Ski Vertigo, followed by Bodmin Moor in Cornwall and Stonehaugh in Northumberland.
The UK’s top three stargazing spots
Since the Yorkshire Dales gained International Dark Sky Reserve status back in 2020, the entire National Park has protected some of England’s clearest night skies, with roughly a third of the park falling within its darkest core zone. Head to Swaledale, the Rawthey Valley, Garsdale, Littondale or Wharfedale on a good night and you stand a real chance of seeing the Milky Way, planets, meteors and occasionally even the Northern Lights.
Cornwall’s own dark sky credentials go back further still. Bodmin Moor earned International Dark Sky Landscape status in 2017 and much of it remains open-access land, meaning walkers can wander freely into the protected zone and its two-mile buffer without needing to stick to a handful of official viewpoints.
For those who want stargazing without the faff, Stonehaugh in Northumberland is hard to beat. This Dark Sky Discovery Site in Kielder Forest has a purpose-built pavilion for shelter, sits within one of Europe’s largest expanses of protected night sky and has parking right next to it at the picnic site, so there’s no trekking involved.
Why now is the time to go
The 2026 Perseid meteor shower runs from July 17th to August 24th, peaking overnight on August 12th to 13th. A new Moon that night means darker skies and better viewing than usual, though autumn and winter offer longer hours of darkness for those who can’t make the peak.
Getting the most from your trip
Alex Dyer, managing director at Ski Vertigo, said: “Look for genuine darkness, but also check that the viewing point is publicly accessible, that parking is permitted and that your accommodation is not a long drive away on unfamiliar rural roads.
“Check the cloud forecast and Moon phase before setting out, take warm layers even in summer and use a red-light setting rather than a bright phone screen. Your eyes need about 15 minutes to adjust and a poorly placed torch or car headlight can quickly spoil the view for everyone nearby.”
Image credits: Pixabay
