Wales: one of the
best places to view the night sky in Britain, with
Dark Skies Reserves in both the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia.
Welsh Dark Skies Week takes place every year – not only to remind us of the beauties of the night sky and
the best places in Wales for stargazing, but also to raise awareness about reducing light pollution across the UK. That being said, you can gaze upwards and admire the twinkles any time of year. Cool Places has a top selection of
cottages and self-catering places to stay in Wales that are absolutely perfect for viewing the night sky – read on for some of our favourites...
The Brecon Beacons National Park is one of only five International Dark Skies Reserves. And there are fewer places better suited to soak up the celestial scenes than The Neuadd Cottages near Crickhowell. Classic yet comfortably contemporary, this cluster of cottages means stargazing in style close to one of Wales' very best towns.
A boutique cottage for two in the grounds of a 15th-century manor house, close to the rolling hills of North Wales with wild swimming and a pub nearby. There' also a hot tub to luxuriate in and enjoy the stars every evening!
These holiday cottages are stunningly located close to the Mawddach Estuary trail which links seaside Barmouth and the market town of Dolgellau. The owners are ambassadors for the Snowdonia Dark Skies Reserve and host various special Dark Skies events throughout the year.
This beautiful barn conversion sleeping six lies a mile outside Tregaron between the Cambrian Mountains and Cardigan Bay. It's a blissfully tranquil spot surrounded by lush, rolling hills, while skylights and large picture windows make the most of its peerless position within the Dark Skies Reserve.
This dog-friendly cottage for up to four people offers amazing views from every dual-aspect room of what's basically a Gothic folly. Its bathroom surely takes the prize for 'best loo with a view', looking out over the canopy of trees that surround the tower, and its Snowdonia location means it's bang in the heart of Dark Skies country.
This converted North Wales chapel is a large and elegant property on the outskirts of the Snowdonia National Park, but also within easy reach of the coast and Anglesey. Its high vaulted ceilings let in an abundance of natural light during the day, making it a perfect place to get out and see the stars at night.
It's hard to imagine a more romantic place to watch the sunset and gaze up at the stars than this Mid-Wales treehouse. As fascinating as it is luxurious, the unique abode is literally crafted out of a massive oak tree – its decking couldn't be better suited to a spot of stargazing.
If there's a more romantic place to stay on Wales' Llyn Peninsula than this one-bed converted piggery, we've yet to find it. This place has all the right ingredients: peace and quiet in an extraordinary natural landscape, a couple of lovely beaches nearby, a wood-burning stove, and a night sky to die for!
The clue's in the name – but this place could just as easily reference other aspects of its idyllic location, whether it's the wildflower meadows, fast-running streams or re-wilding of the owners' smallholding. There's a decent pub a short walk away, and when you get back you can recline and gaze up at those starry skies.
Nestled under Snowdon's fabled heights, this most remote of YHA hostels has an impressive history – no less than George Mallory stayed here in the 1920s when training for his ultimately unsuccessful assault on Everest. So as you would expect, the dark skies here are as good as it gets.
For more superb places to stay in Wales, check out our guides to:
Anglesey
Brecon Beacons
Ceredigion
Mid Wales
North Wales
Pembrokeshire
Snowdonia
South Wales
And if it's a special offer you're after, browse our Hot Deals.
