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.

North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales Dark Skies Fringe Festival

21st - 30th October 2022

Discover even more Dark Skies in October this year with the Dark Skies Fringe Festival, find out more...

Dark Skies Festival 2023

10th February - 26th February 2023

Since 2016’s inaugural event, the North Yorkshire collaboration has become an unmissable fixture in the calendar, with the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authorities celebrating the jewels of the night sky.

A star-filled sky is one of the most magical sights in the natural world.

Although quite different types of landscapes, both the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales are places where you can find stunning star-filled skies, free from light pollution, and because of this both National Parks have gained International Dark Sky Reserve Status. This means they have some of the darkest skies in the world! On a clear night you can see thousands of stars, the Milky Way, planets, sometimes meteors – and not forgetting the Moon.

To celebrate this shared special quality, they jointly host an annual Dark Skies Festival each February which provides brilliant opportunities for discovery, learning and enjoyment of the beautiful star-studded dark skies above.

All the events are run by local businesses in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the North York Moors National Park, many of which are now registered Dark Sky Friendly businesses.

There are events for families, first-time stargazers and those wishing to expand their knowledge further. Why not be a citizen scientist and take part in the Star Count too!?

This Festival has not only opened eyes to the dazzling spectacle above, but also how important it is to minimise light pollution, for the environment, wildlife and humans.

To find out more visit www.darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk

Further information

• www.yorkshiredales.org.uk
• www.northyorkmoors.org.uk
• www.darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk

Dark skies accommodation

Accommodation near dark skies: