Star Gazing in the Yorkshire Dales

The Yorkshire Dales Dark Skies Reserve

Did you know that the Yorkshire Dales National Park is a Dark Skies Reserve?

Well you do now, because I’ve just told you! The Yorkshire Dales National Park has so little in the way of light pollution, that it is one of the finest places to go star gazing in the world.

I think that there is something SUPER magical about being outside in the dark. Getting wrapped up warm, grabbing a head torch, a flask of hot chocolate and a blanket is FAR more exciting that doing that sort of thing in the daytime!

Because the Yorkshire Dales National Park is so special when it comes to Star Gazing, there is LOADS of stuff to tell you about, hence why it has its very own page!

Observing the stars in winter

Where can you go and star gaze in the Yorkshire Dales?

Well, it just so happens that there is a whole load of safe star gazing places to head to in the Yorkshire Dales! These designated Dark Skies Discovery Sites have been selected because they have good access, they are good underfoot, have wheelchair access and are freely available.

You can find out more about Dark Sky Discovery Sites on their website.

Where are the designated Dark Skies located in the Yorkshire Dales?

Malham National Park Visitor Centre

Buckden National Park Car Park

Tan Hill Inn

Hawes Dales Countryside Museum Car Park

Scar House Reservoir

Toft Gate Lime Kiln and Coldstones Cut car park

Walking in the dark with head torches on

The Dark Skies Festival

Every February/ March, the Dark Skies Festival takes place in the Yorkshire Dales!

There is a whole host of incredible activities lined up every year ranging from canoeing under the stars and astronomy walks, to kids crafts and family friendly trails.

If you want to read about the up to date line up for the annual festival, head over to our Dark Skies Festival Event roundup. The line up changes every year, but there is always something going on for the kids that coincides with half term!

Walks for Star Gazing

Whilst care should always be taken when out walking after sunset, here are a few suggestions for a pre-sunset wander before getting stuck into some proper star gazing!

Scar House Reservoir is a designated dark sky discovery site in Nidderdale, so why not precede a session of star gazing with a walk around this stunning reservoir.

Greenhow Lead Mines, Coldstones Cut and Toft Gate Lime Kiln is a walk that will take you around the industrial history of the area, ending up at the car park which is a dark sky discovery site! Don’t attempt to walk around the lead mines at night unless you fancy finding yourself at the bottom of a hole!

Janet’s Foss and Gordale Scar, Malham is a walk that starts and ends at the dark skies discovery site. It will take you to the stunning waterfalls of Janet’s Foss and Gordale Scar.

Buckden Beck Waterfalls is a walk that will take you from the car park in Buckden which is the dark skies discovery site.

Aysgarth Falls is not an official dark skies site, but does regularly participate in the Dark Skies Festival so why not head to the falls before checking out the skies!

Scroll using the arrows for all our Family Friendly Walks

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