Discover the Dark
Wales Dark Skies , Dark Skies (opens in a new tab)
The Brecon Beacons, Pembrokeshire Coast and Snowdonia National Parks are outstanding dark skies destinations for night-time activities and stargazing.
Dark Skies Events , Dark Skies (opens in a new tab)
National Parks remain some of the darkest places in Great Britain and we celebrate our star-studded skies at Festivals throughout autumn and winter. Find out more about upcoming events in Northumberland, North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales and South Downs National Parks.
Northumberland , Dark Skies Event (opens in a new tab)
As England’s first and one of Europe’s largest International Dark Sky Parks (Gold-Tier), Northumberland is now home to its very own Dark Skies Festival.
What are International Dark Sky Parks and International Dark Sky Reserves?
These are two types of designation, awarded by the International Dark-Sky Association that officially recognise certain areas to be naturally dark at night and free of light pollution, and therefore some of the best places in the world to view the beauty of the night sky including our own galaxy, the Milky Way!
We’re proud that six UK National Parks – Exmoor, Brecon Beacons, Moore’s Reserve in the South Downs, Snowdonia, North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales have been awarded International Dark Sky Reserve status. Northumberland, with England’s most pristine dark skies, is an International Dark Sky Park (Gold Tier).
Every year, these National Parks celebrate the amazing night’s sky with Dark Skies Festivals and stargazing opportunities galore. They’re fun events for all the family and one of the highlights of the calendar year.
Spooky season is in full force across our National Parks! 🎃
From eerie encounters to magical misty landscapes, our National Parks look wonderfully frightful.
Keep swiping for some spooky seasonal finds…
1. Pumpkin at the ready at Dartmoor National Park.
2. Visitors enjoying a frightfully fun Halloween Trail at Aysgarth Falls, Yorkshire Dales National Park. Photo by Stephen Garnett.
3. A watchful crow leading the way perched on a signpost at South Downs National Park. Photo by Colin Mitchell.
4. St Benet’s Abbey emerging from the atmospheric autumn mist at the Broads National Park.
5. A beaver caught in a mesmerising moment under the cover of darkness at Cairngorms National Park.
6. Devil’s Fingers (Clathrus archeri) reaching their eerie tendrils through the grass at New Forest National Park. Photo by Bryan Wilson.
7. Thirlwall Castle standing proudly beneath a spectacular, star-filled night sky at Northumberland National Park.
#NationalParks #Halloween #SpookySeason
Dartmoor National Park celebrates 75 years today, but its story holds more than 10,000 years of human history.
Some of its prehistoric remains date back to the Bronze Age, and the longest prehistoric stone row in the world can be found on Dartmoor.
Dartmoor truly is a place where thousands of years of history remain woven into the landscape. 💚
#Dartmoor #DartmoorNationalPark #NationalParksUK
You don`t have to wait for nightfall to experience the magic of darkness. ✨🌙
Now the nights are drawing in, “Dusking", a traditional Dutch twilight ritual, could teach us how to appreciate the darkening evenings.
As the golden hour fades into the blue hour, the landscape begins it quiet transformation. Colours soften, sounds change, and a hidden world starts to emerge. Bats take to the skies, moths begin their nightly journeys, and familiar places reveal a completely different character.
While the tradition of Dusking may have begun in the Netherlands and re-introduced in Amsterdam, shared experiences are spreading across Europe.
Places like @northyorkmoors are holding dusking events as part of their Dark Skies Festivals, inviting people to slow down and reconnect with nature together.
Have you ever tried Dusking? Tell us below 👇
📸
Danby Beacon, North York Moors National Park (Russell Burton)
Sutton Bank at sunset, North York Moors National Park (Oliver Sherratt)
Sutton Bank at dusk, North York Moors National Park (Steve Bell)
North York Moors National Park (Steve Bell)
The clocks go back on Sunday, which means more darkness. ⏰ ⭐
But darkness isn’t always a bad thing. Darker nights bring many benefits for our natural environment, supporting wildlife and helping nature thrive.
Stargazing beneath our dark skies also connects us to centuries of traditions and our enduring fascination with the stars. ✨
Our National Parks are home to some of the darkest skies in the UK. By protecting these special places, we can help preserve the dark skies that benefit both people and nature.
#DarkSkies #NationalParks #ClocksGoBack
👻 Strange sights and spooky stories await in the @Southdownsnp
From mist-shrouded woods and twisted trees to castles beneath the moon, the National Park is home to many eerie spots.
And across our 15 National Parks, there are tales that have endured for centuries, legends still passed down today, and histories with dark chapters.
📸
Ghost in South Downs - Luis Fernando Mancilla
Iping tree - Richard Murray
Harvest moon - Andrew Gambling Photography
Devil’s Dyke - Sam Moore
Stamner Park - Finn Curry
#SouthDowns #Halloween #NationalParks
🎉 Happy Exmoor Day, @exmoornp!
Today, Exmoor National Park celebrates years of connecting people with nature, wildlife and the great outdoors.
From England’s largest wild red deer herd and native ponies to Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve and dramatic landscapes, Exmoor is a place full of life, history and discovery.
Its landscapes, wildlife and historic villages bring people closer to nature and create opportunities to explore, connect and enjoy the benefits of being outdoors.
Here’s to Exmoor – and many more adventures to come! 💚
#Exmoor #ExmoorNationalPark #NationalParksUK
Happy birthday @parc_eryri 🎂
From its towering peaks and sweeping valleys to its rich heritage, Eryri (Snowdonia) is a place that means so much to so many people.
It`s a landscape full of stories, shaped by generations of people and home to some of Wales` most treasured places, from the summit of Yr Wyddfa to the quieter corners.
Today, we`re celebrating everything that makes Eryri unique, from the people and traditions that give it its character to the ongoing work to protect its landscapes and wildlife.
Share your favourite memories of Eryri in the comments! 💬
📸Ogwen Valley, Snowdonia @cinqueportsphotography
#Eryri #EryriNationalPark #TheAnswerIsNationalParks
Autumn is a chance to give nature a helping hand. 🍂
From leaving fallen leaves to providing food for birds, small actions can make a big difference to the world around us.
Here are some of the ways to help nature this season.
#NatureRecovery #Autumn #NationalParks
