Stargazing
The best places in the world to stargaze
If you’ve spent your life looking up at the night’s sky from busy urban areas, be prepared for a surprise! Seeing the twinkly star-studded sky across the vast landscape of National Parks is a real spectacle that you won’t forget in a hurry.
With less light pollution than the rest of the UK, National Parks are an astronomers’ delight and offer a wealth of stargazing opportunities for all.
Get Inspired
North York Moors , Visit site (opens in a new tab)
Discover the panoramic views of the North York Moors’ Dark Skies, the latest National Park to join the International Dark Sky Reserve family.
Eryri (Snowdonia) , Visit site (opens in a new tab)
Eryri (Snowdonia) was designated an International Dark Sky Reserve in 2015.
Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) , Visit site (opens in a new tab)
On a clear night in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), you can see the Milky Way, major constellations, bright nebulas and even meteor showers.
Northumberland , Visit site (opens in a new tab)
Home to England’s first International Dark Sky Park. Discover Northumberland's many dark sky sites where you can see millions of stars, far away from light pollution.
South Downs , Visit site (opens in a new tab)
One of only 18 International Dark Skies Reserves, the South Downs is one of the best places to stargaze in the UK.
Exmoor , Visit site (opens in a new tab)
Home to Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve. Exmoor Dark Skies are ideal to discover stargazing.
Yorkshire Dales , Visit site (opens in a new tab)
The Yorkshire Dales National Park has been designated as an International Dark Sky Reserve, joining an exclusive global family of Dark Sky Places.
Did you know?
Beginner’s guide to stargazing
Never stargazed before? Here are some top tips to get you started and enjoy an astronomically amazing adventure!
Choose a night when the skies are clear. Stargazing is best around a New Moon, when the skies are at their darkest.
Take a blanket or mat to lie on and wrap up warm – it can get cold under a dark sky! Take some snacks and a hot drink.
Allow time for your eyes to adjust to the darkness – this takes around 20 minutes. Turn off anything that shines a white light. If you need a torch, use one with a red lens, which will not affect your night-time vision.
There are many free astronomy apps that you can download to transform your mobile into a planetarium in your palm that will help guide you around the sky at night.
Come to one of our Dark Skies Festivals – they are a great starting point and will inspire you!
You’ll see lots with the naked eye, but as you progress, why not invest in pair of 10×50 binoculars and then work up to a telescope, which will give you years and years of enjoyment.
Happy star hunting!
🎉 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
An ancient wall almost 2,000 years old, and a catch-up with your mate? ✅
Historic landmarks like Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland National Park have been connecting people for centuries.
While that connection looks very different today from the wall’s original role as a Roman defensive fortification, it’s still a place where people come together and explore history.
Because our National Parks are about so much more than great places for a day out. They’re places to connect with friends, clear your head, get active and learn about history, all in one place.
#Northumberland #HadriansWall #NationalParksUK
They’re more than just pretty places. 🌳
Our National Parks are home to some incredible trees, from ancient giants to England’s tallest tree.
Swipe through for a few #WildFacts about the trees growing across our 15 National Parks.
#NationalParksUK #Trees #Woodland
National Parks are places where animals make their homes, people catch up over coffee, and we pause to marvel at the dark skies above.
Places to connect, discover and look a little closer.
We’d love to see your images of autumn in action in a National Park. Tag us or use the hashtag #AutumnInAction 🧡
#NationalParks #Autumn
What if Middle-earth’s Rangers had more in common with National Park Rangers than we might think?
Of course, our National Park Rangers have a little less to worry about than Aragorn and his fellow Rangers.
But they do both know their landscapes well, protect the places they love and guide others to find their way.
Across the UK’s 15 National Parks, our Rangers are taking action every day. They may not be defending the Shire from the forces of darkness, but they certainly do an incredibly important job. 💚
#MiddleEarth #Rangers #NationalParksUK
15 National Parks. One shared challenge. Our climate is changing, and with it comes an increased risk of wildfire across our landscapes.
That’s why we’ve committed to taking action through our new Wildfire Management Position Statement. Together, the National Parks will work to support nature recovery to help manage wildfire risk, plan for and strengthen wildfire response and coordination, improve risk management and preparedness, and share clear, consistent public messaging.
But we can’t do it alone.
Communities, organisations, land managers and visitors all have a role to play in reducing wildfire risk. By working together, we can help protect our National Parks and prepare for a future where hotter, drier weather may increase the risk of wildfire.
Read the full statement by clicking on the link in our bio 🔗
Photos:
Slide 1 - Fighting the Glenmore wildfire, © Ed Smith. Slide 2 - Fighting the Glenmore wildfire, © Malcolm Smith. Slide 3 - View across Loch Morlich during Glenmore wildfire, July 2026, © Brenna Jessie. Slide 4 - Fighting the Glenmore wildfire, © Malcolm Smith. Slide 5 - View from the cab of a tractor aiding in fighting the wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park, CPNA. Slide 5 - Firefighting vehicles at the Glenmore wildfire, © Malcolm Smith.
#Wildfires #NationalParksUK
