Starry, starry night!

mickysf
mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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edited July 2019 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

So, I can still recall that night my grandad sat me on his lap in his garden and showed me the stars and planets which twinkled in the jet black night sky. I was filled with awe and wonder and the facts he told me.  I also remember doing the same with my own children. Now blessed with grandchildren can anyone advise me of any good sites we can go to in order to witness and experience the dark sky's and that lack of light pollution of yesteryear? 

Comments

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #2

    Kielder in Northumberland has reputedly the darkest of dark skies in the UK, so the Kielder Village Camping and Caravan site would seem seems to be the place to go to. Reviews are on line.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,060 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #3

    I would definitely say Northumberland, but there are other places where we have sat out and had no artificial light whatsoever ever interfere with our star watching.

    Cornwall is good if you can drop down into a valley, our best nights have been up on North York Moors and a small CS in North Norfolk.

    Campsites themselves usually have a bit of lighting, but remote CLs are great. We are off to Dartmoor soon, staying in a tiny hamlet of three cottages. We intend taking our telescope as we know it will be pitch black. Ideally you want to be in a ‘bowl’. No visible lights on the horizon, and well away from big towns and cities. 

    Club Sites aren’t too good, too many bollards, LEDs, floodlights. Having said that Nunnykirk is good, as is a not very busy Marazion.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,645 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #4

    Agree about Marazion, spotted the Space Station while there from just along the lane from the site, and also say it at Hucks Barn, CL at Ludlow. We're stopping on a CL near Newton Stewart (Mains of Machermore Fm) at the moment and it's not far from the Galloway Forest Dark Sky centre.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,060 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #5

    Yes, I had forgotten Hucks Barn! Great CL.

    Found this, might help https://nationalparks.uk/visiting/outdoor-activities/dark-skies

     

  • HelenandTrevor
    HelenandTrevor Forum Participant Posts: 3,221
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    edited July 2019 #6

    Exmoor is a good area. Can reccomend a Small site near Winsford, called Halse Farm .