Where to see stars
Use the map below to discover the network of Dark Sky Discovery Sites and other stargazing places.
Why not nominate the best stargazing place where you live as a Dark Sky Discovery Site? Find out how below...
| Marker | Type of Site |
|---|---|
 |
Dark Sky Discovery Site (Milky Way class) |
 |
Dark Sky Discovery Site (Milky Way class, hosts events) |
 |
Dark Sky Discovery Site (Orion Class) |
 |
Dark Sky Discovery Site (Orion Class, hosts events) |
 |
Other sites that host stargazing events |
 |
Dark Sky Parks or Reserves |
Dark Sky Discovery Sites are places that:
- are away from the worst of any local light pollution
- provide good sightlines of the sky
- have good public access, including firm ground for wheelchairs. The sites are not necessarily freely open at all times - please check the links for any special access arrangements.
There are two darkness ratings:
"Orion" sites.
At these sites, the seven main stars in the winter constellation Orion are
visible to the naked eye. Typically, this means away from, or shielded from,
bright lights such as street lights, security lights or approaching car lights.
"Milky Way" sites. At these sites the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye. They are much
darker sites found only in more rural areas.
The red, blue and green circles indicate the following:
Other
sites around the UK run regular stargazing events for the public, for
example Observatories. These places may not be Dark Sky Discovery Sites.
Some Dark Sky Discovery Sites do run events however, so some of the markers
you see above combine a blue circle with either an "Orion"-class star or a "Milky Way"-class star.
Internationally recognised Dark Sky Places are much larger areas of land that have been been awarded special status due
to the quality of their dark skies.
Have a look at our night sky pages for more about Orion, the Milky Way and other things to see. Other tips for visiting the sites are:
- Visit with a group of people – it’s safer and more fun!
- Check the website for the Site (via the links above) for the latest access information.
- Follow the countryside code for England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
How to nominate a new Dark Sky Discovery Site
For full details of Dark Sky Discovery Sites and how to nominate them, download the Dark Sky Discovery Sites Guidance notes [PDF/61KB]. Then complete and send us your nomination form [DOC/37KB] If you have any questions about nominating a site, please contact us at info@darkskydiscovery.org.uk.