Dark Skies
The UK's national parks, wild places and rural countryside are the best places to go stargazing and experience our fabulous Dark Skies – thousands of stars, distant planets, twinkling constellations and even the sheer sweep of our own galaxy, the Milky Way, can all be seen in areas where light pollution is low. In fact, if you're after a UK stargazing holiday, it's good to know that you can normally see at least ten times as many stars in the darkest areas of the country as in a town or city. Our handy Dark Skies accommodation guide picks out some amazing UK stargazing locations, from remote hostels and country B&Bs to deeply rural holiday cottages, hotels and forest lodges. Stay up late, look up and gaze in wonder at the UK's glorious night skies, then back to bed for a great night's sleep!
Main photo: Under Starry Skies, Llansadwrn, Wales
Best Places to stay for fabulous stargazing
Unique Shepherds Hut and Bell Tent glamping on a Kent nature reserve, with unbeatable views and wildlife aplenty.
Elmley Nature Reserve, Kingshill Farm, Elmley National Nature Reserve, Kent ME12 3RW
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Kent
Holidays in Isle of Sheppey
Luxury family-friendly glamping in safari tents in mid-Cornwall
Glynn Barton, Glynn Barton Cottages, Cardinham, Bodmin, Cornwall PL30 4AX
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Bodmin
Family-friendly lodges in the vast grounds of a top-notch hotel in Dartmoor National Park
The Lodges at Bovey Castle, Bovey Castle, North Bovey, Dartmoor National Park, Devon TQ13 8RE
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Moretonhampstead
Three luxury dog-friendly – and eco-friendly – cottages in one of the most beautiful corners of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
A Corner of Eden, EdenLow, Stennerskeugh, Ravenstonedale, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria CA17 4LL UK
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Kirkby Stephen
A beautifully converted historic bunker in the Dorset countryside
The Transmitter Bunker, Ringstead, Dorset
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Dorset
Holidays in Dorchester
A converted chapel situated between the stunning coast and countryside of North Wales
Greystones Chapel, Llanrug, Gywnedd
Holidays in North Wales
Holidays in Gwynedd
Holidays in Llanberis
Nant yr Esgair, Ty Mawr, Mallwyd, Machynlleth, Powys SY20 9HS
Holidays in Mid Wales
Holidays in Powys
Holidays in Machynlleth
A quirky pod nestled in the Flintshire countryside
Ewe Two, Oakenholt, Near Northrop
Holidays in North Wales
Holidays in Flintshire
Holidays in Oakenholt
Boutique rooms and first-rate food in a gorgeous Lakeland location
The Yan, Broadrayne Farm, Grasmere, The Lake District Cumbria, LA22 9RU
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Grasmere
A slice of glamping and camping heaven in the Yorkshire Dales
Catgill Farm Glamping, Catgill Farm, Bolton Abbey, North Yorkshire BD23 6HA
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Bolton Abbey
Cosy, comfortable and award-winning floating pods and houseboats near Beccles in the Broads National Park
Hippersons Boatyard, Gillingham Dam, Beccles, Norfolk NR34 0EB
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Beccles
A seaside hostel that enjoys a unique location high above the booming Atlantic surf of north Cornwall.
YHA Tintagel, Tintagel Cornwall PL34 0DW
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in St. Ives
Taking the concept of luxury beachfront hotel to a new level
Watergate Bay Hotel, On the Beach Watergate Bay Cornwall TR8 4AA
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Newquay
A contemporary lakeside hotel on the shores of Ullswater that offers luxury rooms in the grounds.
Shepherd Huts at Another Place, The Lake, Watermillock, Ullswater, Cumbria CA11 0LP
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Pooley Bridge
A contemporary lakeside hotel on the shores of Ullswater that does everything just right.
Another Place, The Lake, Watermillock, Ullswater, Cumbria CA11 0LP
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Ullswater
A scenically-situated self-catering cabin for two on the wildlife-rich island of Canna, in the Inner Hebrides
Sanday Croft Cabin, Isle of Canna, Sanday PH44 4RS
Holidays in Scottish Isles
Holidays in Isle of Canna
Holidays in Sanday
Luxury apartments and family lodges at an iconic and historic Scottish location
John O'Groats Luxury Lodges and Apartments, John O'Groats, Wick, Caithness KW1 4YR
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Caithness
Holidays in Wick
Comfortable rooms above a perfectly placed dining pub overlooking the ocean in Northwest Cornwall not far from St Ives
The Gurnard's Head, The Gurnards Head, Near Zennor, St Ives, Cornwall TR26 3DE
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in St. Ives
No better place for a country weekend away doing nothing much amid glorious surroundings.
The Felin Fach Griffin, Felin Fach Brecon Powys LD3 0UB
Holidays in Mid Wales
Holidays in Powys
Holidays in Brecon
Nature-inspired retreats and escapes in the heart of the countryside; all just a hop from London.
Green Farm Kent: Spa, Retreats & Barn, Green Farm, Church Lane, Shadoxhurst, Kent TN26 1LS
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Kent
Holidays in Ashford
A beautiful Shropshire hotel in a great location with lovely rooms and award-winning food
Old Downton Lodge, Downton on the Rock Ludlow Shropshire SY8 2HU
Holidays in West Midlands
Holidays in Shropshire
Holidays in Ludlow
A pair of magical luxurious treehouses in the Herefordshire countryside
One Acre Wood , One Acre Wood, Bishops Frome, Herefordshire WR6 5BY
Holidays in West Midlands
Holidays in Herefordshire
Holidays in Bromyard
A rural estate set in stunning East Sussex countryside – del-luxe, rustic-chic and truly unique.
Fair Oak Farm, Witherenden Road, Mayfield, East Sussex TN20 6RS
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in East Sussex
Holidays in Mayfield
It's hard to imagine a more ideal setting for a Lake District B&B, with glorious views over the Wasdale Valley
1692 Wasdale, Bolton Head Farm, Gosforth, Cumbria CA20 1EW
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Wasdale
Luxury lodges in the middle of the Suffolk countryside
Blyth Rise Stays, Station Road, Laxfield, Suffolk IP13 8HF
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Halesworth
Luxury cabins in a glorious Peak District location
Hoe Grange Holidays, Hoe Grange Farm, Ballidon Moor, Brassington, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 4HP
Holidays in East Midlands
Holidays in Derbyshire
Holidays in Matlock
Boutique hotel, bar and restaurant in the heart of Snowdonia's adventure tourism zone near Blaenau Ffestiniog
Plas Weunydd, Llechwedd, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd LL41 3NB
Holidays in North Wales
Holidays in Gwynedd
Holidays in Blaenau Ffestiniog
A fabulous hotel in a gorgeous part of the South Hams with stunning views across the rolling hills or down to the cove.
Soar Mill Cove Hotel, Near Salcombe Devon TQ7 3DS
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Salcombe
A welcoming gastropub with cracking food and luxurious guestrooms on Essex's heavenly Mersea Island
The White Hart Inn, 1 High Street, West Mersea, Essex CO5 8QD
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Essex
Holidays in Mersea Island
A sumptuous North Norfolk self-catering property that's perfect for groups of friends, family get-togethers – and wedding parties!
Godwick Hall, Godwick Hall, Godwick, Mill Lane, Fakenham, King's Lynn, Norfolk PE32 2RJ
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Fakenham
Adults-only shepherd’s huts on a working farm in the Yorkshire Dales
Breaks Fold Farm, Breaks Fold Farm, West End, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 4BB
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Harrogate
Dannah Farm, Bowmans Lane, Shottle, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 2DR
Holidays in East Midlands
Holidays in Derbyshire
Holidays in Belper
Clawford Lakes, Clawton, Holsworthy, Devon EX22 6PN
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Holsworthy
This restaurant with rooms on the Suffolk-Norfolk border makes a perfect countryside escape for jaded city-dwellers
The Oaksmere, Rectory Rd, Eye, Suffolk IP23 8AH
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Eye
Talland Bay Hotel, Porthallow Cornwall PL13 2JB
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Looe
Your own country estate in the heart of the Shropshire Hills
Walcot Hall, Lydbury North Shropshire SY7 8AZ
Holidays in West Midlands
Holidays in Shropshire
Holidays in Bishop's Castle
This Shepherd's Shed with hot tub is about as desirable and romantic North Devon escape as you could imagine.
Accott Manor, Accott Manor, Near Gunn, Brayford, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32 7PJ
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Barnstaple
A beautiful dog friendly holiday property with hot tub on the edge of Dartmoor.
White Lady, Lydford, Devon EX20 4BL
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Tavistock
A beautifully renovated accessible barn conversion close to Barnstaple, Exmoor and the beaches of the North Devon Coast
The Old Piggery, EX32 7NY
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Barnstaple
A luxurious and unique Gothic folly in the heart of Snowdonia
Brynkir Tower, Garndolbenmaen, Gwynedd LL51 9AQ
Holidays in North Wales
Holidays in Gwynedd
Holidays in Porthmadog
A cosy eco-friendly cabin for two - on your very own Scottish estate near the sea!
Cabin by the Castle, Old Duffus Farm, Duffus, Elgin, Moray, IV30 5RH
Holidays in East Scotland
Holidays in Moray
Holidays in Elgin
Luxurious and very cosy shepherds huts on a glorious North Norfolk country estate
Godwick Hall Shepherds Huts, Godwick Hall, Godwick, Mill Lane, King's Lynn, Norfolk PE32 2RJ
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Fakenham
The ultimate luxury, contemporary country holiday property – deep in the heart of North Norfolk
The Old Stables at Godwick Hall, Mill Road, Godwick, Norfolk, PE32 2RJ
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Fakenham
Characterful one-bedroom hot tub cabin on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales
Spindrifter, Sun Hill Lodges, Sun Hill Farm, Constable Burton, North Yorkshire DL8 5RL
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Leyburn
Unique, comfortable and very cool self-catering on a North Yorkshire estate just outside Richmond
New York Public Library, Brough with St Giles, Catterick, Richmond, North Yorkshire DL10 7PJ
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Richmond
A wonderful range of self catering accommodation across West Wales, suited to any holiday or occasion.
FBM Holidays, Slate House, St Julian's St, Tenby, SA70 7AS
Holidays in South Wales
Holidays in Pembrokeshire
Holidays in Tenby
Local cottage holiday experts with properties all over Cornwall.
Cornish Horizons, Cornwall PL28 8EA
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Padstow
Hundreds of holiday cottages to let all over Wales, from Pembrokeshire to Anglesey
Wales Cottage Holidays, Bear Lanes Newtown Powys SY16 2QZ
Holidays in Mid Wales
Holidays in Powys
Holidays in Newtown
