The best places to see stars in the nation's forests
With the darker evenings drawing in, what better way to spend an evening wrapped up warm, among the trees, immersed in searching for constellations, bright nebulla and meteor showers.
Away from light pollution, forests have stunning dark skies. See our stargazing for beginners tips and discover dark skies sites to experience the magic.
Kielder Forest, on the Scottish border
England's top stargazing forest, Kielder Forest is part of Northumberland's Dark Sky Park.
The Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society run events throughout the year at the award winning Kielder Observatory to help beginners and serious stargazers study the skies.
Dalby Forest, Yorkshire
Dalby Forest is a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site, where you can experience the magic of seeing the Milky Way with the naked eye.
Enjoy exciting, interactive, stargazing sessions in the enchanting forest setting.
Grizedale, The Lake District
The Grizedale Observatory and Planetarium enjoys dark skies unblemished by light pollution.
Incredible stars, beautiful nebulae and distant galaxies can be seen under the guidance of friendly astronomers by booking on a planetarium event.
Top tips for stargazing
- look for a location with low light pollution on a clear night.
- if you are a beginner, start with an organised event.
- if you're going independently, set out before nightfall with a route and location in mind.
- look for a stargazing app to help you get to know the night sky.
- some car parks or sites are not open at night – check the relevant forest page before you leave.
- pack a torch with spare batteries. It's good practice to have a red filter on your torch to reduce light pollution.
- pack warm clothing and take binoculars if you have them.
