Lake District stargazing: the clear dark skies in Cumbria

Stargazing in the Lake District

Stargazing in the Lake District has become a more popular pastime in recent years as people seek to reconnect with nature.

There’s nothing quite like looking up to the heavens on a clear November night to see the constellations shining bright across the dark skies of Cumbria.

And Low Wood Bay is an excellent location for a spot of stargazing, with minimal light pollution and terrain to encourage the budding astronomer.

Guests might associate the winter months with hearty food and drink by the hotel fireside, but the Lake District National Park is a wonderful place for stargazing on a clear frosty night.  And there’s the occasional opportunity to see the Northern Lights if you find the right vantage point!

Wait for sunset with a lazy afternoon in the spa or an early evening meal at the Blue Smoke restaurant and then take a walk up the fell behind Low Wood Bay as the dark skies close in.

Take a torch with you to guide your way, maybe pack a few snacks, a thermos with a hot drink and a picnic blanket to sit on, then sit back and enjoy one of the deepest connections we still have with nature and the universe we live in.

Cumbria’s dark skies – perfect for stargazing

Lake District stargazing is more of a treat than you might think.  The vast majority of our population live in city and suburban environments with significant light pollution which blots out the stars of the night sky.

That prevents them from seeing and enjoying the natural beauty of the night sky and the stars many light years away. 

So stargazing remains the preserve of those living in rural areas or others keen enough to travel to designated dark sky sites. And they are rewarded with amazing starlit scene on a clear night, from sightings of the major planets like Jupiter or Venus to our home galaxy, the Milky Way.  If they time it right, they may even be treated to a spectacular meteor shower too.

Stargazing in the Lake District National Park gives you some of the best chances to see what others are missing.  Due to its remoteness, its lofty terrain and minimal light interference, it now has a few different places designated with Dark Sky Discovery status.

And if you are lucky enough to be here during occasional periods where there are meteor showers, you could get to see a light show of hundreds of meteors scorching across the sky and burning up in the earth’s atmosphere above.

Grizedale Observatory & Planetarium

Grizedale Observatory & Planetarium has to be the best place to do stargazing in the Lake District.  Passionate and friendly astronomers can explain about the distant galaxies from a range of telescopes in Grizedale Forest visitors centre with easy access parking in the heart of the Lake District National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, with some of the darkest skies in England. Offering visitors of all ages the chance to explore our magnificent dark skies, and begin to understand the wonder and beauty of the universe. Book your space.