See the stars

See the stars

Discover the best dark skies in Yorkshire. 

The North York Moors National Park and The Yorkshire Dales host a Dark Skies Festival annually in February and March. For the first time this year, there will also be a Dark Skies Fringe Festival in October in the North York Moors. 

Discovery Sites, Yorkshire Dales National Park

Some of the world’s best stargazing locations are closer to home and the Yorkshire Dales National Park has four Dark Sky Discovery Sites – areas with minimal light pollution and great sightlines of the sky. “One of my favourite places is at Keldy in North Yorkshire,” reveals Colin Daley at the West Yorkshire Astronomical Society. “It’s within Forestry Commission land, where there’s very little light pollution.”

Dalby Forest, North York Moors National Park

One of the three Dark Skies Discovery Sites in the North York Moors, Dalby Forest. Scarborough & Ryedale Astronomical Society hold regular stargazing events in Dalby Forest. 

The Moors National Park Centre Danby, North Yorkshire

Located on the banks of the River Esk, near Danby, this centre is surrounded by moorland, woodland, farmland and historic buildings. It’s a quiet spot in the North York Moors far away from light pollution, making it another special place to view the stars at night.

Sutton Bank National Park Centre, Hambleton, North Yorkshire

Famous Yorkshire vet James Herriot named a view from Sutton Bank over the Vale of Mowbray and the Vale of York as the “Finest in England” - but the view at night is just as spectacular. This area is also named as an official Dark Sky Discovery Site.

The Tan Hill Inn near Keld, Swaledale

As the highest pub in Britain, the Tan Hill Inn is unsurprisingly a brilliant place to stargaze. It stands at 1,732 feet above sea level and is situated near the village of Keld. It’s also a top spot to catch a glimmer of the Northern Lights.

Hawes National Park Centre, Hawes, Richmondshire

The car park at the Dales Countryside Museum, just outside Hawes, is an area with, particularly minimal light pollution. Stargazers can park here for free between 7pm and 6am.

Buckden National Park car park, Buckden, North Yorkshire

Another great spot to start off your stargazing is Buckden. As a Dark Sky Discovery Site, this location is accessible to all members of the public and is a great place to view the night sky. Check the weather forecast before you set out to ensure you’ll have a clear night.

Malham National Park Centre, Malham, North Yorkshire

This is a busy tourist office during the day, but at night the car park transforms into an impressive spot to view the inky, dark skies. There’s free parking in the evenings and it’s fully accessible on foot or by bicycle.