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
The best selection of holiday cottages in Devon
Marsdens Devon Cottages, 2 The Square Braunton Devon EX33 2JB
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Braunton
This 18th-century converted North Norfolk watermill is a tranquil haven, with contemporary rooms, a buzzy vibe and first-rate food
Sculthorpe Mill, Lynn Rd, Fakenham, Norfolk NR21 9QG
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Fakenham
Homely, dog-friendly holiday cottages in the North York Moors
Valley View Farm, Old Byland, Helmsley, North Yorkshire YO62 5LG
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Helmsley
Off-grid shepherds hut's with spectacular views in the heart of Snowdonia
Barlwyd Shepherd's Huts, Llechwedd, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd LL41 3NB
Holidays in North Wales
Holidays in Gwynedd
Holidays in Blaenau Ffestiniog
Woodland cabins in the heart of the Hampshire countryside.
Forest Holidays Blackwood Forest, Larkwhistle Farm Road Micheldever Winchester Hampshire SO21 3BG
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Hampshire
Holidays in Winchester
Woodland cabins in the North York Moors National Park.
Forest Holidays Cropton, Cropton, near Pickering, North Yorkshire YO18 8HW
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Pickering
Woodland cabins in the heart of the Trossachs.
Forest Holidays Strathyre, Callander Perthshire FK17 8HF Scotland
Holidays in Central Scotland
Holidays in Perthshire
Family holidays in a lakeside cabin in Scotland.
Forest Holidays Ardgartan Argyll, Argyll Ardgartan Arrochar Argyll and Bute G83 7AR
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Argyll & Bute
Cabins in the North York Moors National Park.
Forest Holidays Keldy, Cropton Nr Pickering North Yorkshire YO18 8HW
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Pickering
A beautiful natural site whose 43 timber cabins offer the perfect opportunity to connect with nature in the Brecon Beacons.
Forest Holidays Brecon Beacons, Garwnant, Cwmtaf, Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorgan CF48 2HU
Holidays in South Wales
Holidays in Glamorgan
Holidays in Merthyr Tydfil
A purpose-built log cabin designed to provide a back-to-nature glamping getaway for jaded city folk.
A Secret Garden, 8 Honey Hill Blean Near Canterbury Kent CT2 9JP
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Kent
Holidays in Canterbury
The perfect eco- and walking-friendly hostel, easily reachable by train and bang on the South Downs Way.
YHA South Downs, Itford Farm, Beddingham. Near Lewes, East Sussex BN8 6JS
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in East Sussex
Holidays in Lewes
Great outdoors hostel, right at the base of Snowdon itself.
YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass, Pen-y-Pass Nantgwynant Caernarfon Gwynedd LL55 4NY
Holidays in North Wales
Holidays in Gwynedd
Holidays in Llanberis
One of the YHA's most spectacularly sited seaside hostels, with a stunning clifftop position on the Pembrokeshire Coast.
YHA Pwll Deri, Goodwick, Pembrokeshire SA64 0LR
Holidays in South Wales
Holidays in Pembrokeshire
Holidays in Fishguard
High-end Sussex holiday home by the sea overlooking the ruins of a 13th-century abbey
Eagles Nest at Greyfriars, Greyfriars Friars, Road, Winchelsea, East Sussex TN36 4ED
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in East Sussex
Holidays in Rye
High-end two bedroom apartment near the Sussex coast with the ruins of a 13th-century abbey in the grounds
Herons Wood at Greyfriars, Greyfriars Friars, Road, Winchelsea, East Sussex TN36 4ED
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in East Sussex
Holidays in Rye
A revamped inn with rooms with oodles of character, overlooking Ullswater
The Brackenrigg Inn, Watermillock, Ullswater, Cumbria CA11 0LP
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Ullswater
A small North Norfolk luxury hotel whose owners have thought of every detail to make your stay more comfortable
The White House, Sussex Farm Lane, Burnham Market, Norfolk PE31 8JY
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Burnham Market
Rustic relaxation in a cosy, coastal cottage on the Welsh LLŷn Peninsula
The Piggery at Bert's Kitchen Garden, Trefor, Llyn Peninsula, Gwynedd LL54 5LD
Holidays in North Wales
Holidays in Gwynedd
Holidays in Pwllheli
A pristine country cottage for friends or family in a beautiful rural location – ideal for visiting the Peak District or Alton Towers.
The Garden Cottage, Ellastone, Ashbourne, Staffordshire DE6 2GZ
Holidays in West Midlands
Holidays in Staffordshire
Holidays in Uttoxeter
Dog-friendly B&B rooms and a shepherd’s hut with spectacular views of the North Devon coast
West Lyn Farm , West Lyn Farm, Lynton, Devon EX35 6LD
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Lynmouth & Lynton
Secluded, peaceful glamping on the western edge of the New Forest, ideal for a romantic getaway.
Fernwood Glamping, Fernwood, Ringwood, New Forest, Hampshire BH24 3JN
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Hampshire
Holidays in Ringwood
Adults-only shepherds hut stays with hot tubs on a charming Yorkshire farm
Springwood Shepherd Huts, New Road, Escrick, York, North Yorkshire YO19 6EZ
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in York
A glorious family-friendly, dog-friendly resort with lodges and rooms in the deep, rolling countryside of North Devon
The Mole Resort, The Mole Resort, Chittlehamholt, Umberleigh, North Devon EX37 9HD
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Chulmleigh, Winkleigh & Umberleigh
Hugely romantic cottage for two that marries deluxe vibes with an extraordinary rustic-chic aesthetic
Spinks Nest, Kings Street, Hunworth, Norfolk NR24 2EH
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Holt
Luxury bell-tent glamping in the Wye Valley in Herefordshire, less than eight miles from the Cotswolds border
Stargazer Glamping, Bromsash House, Bromsash, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire HR9 7PL
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Gloucestershire
Chic and comfortable mountain hostel with stunning views in the heart of Snowdonia National Park
The Rocks at Plas Curig Hostel, Capel Curig, Betws Y Coed, Conwy LL24 0EL
Holidays in North Wales
Holidays in Conwy
Holidays in Capel Curig
Luxurious retreat on the banks of Loch Tay in Highland Perthshire
Ardeonaig Hotel & Restaurant, South Loch Tay Side Ardeonaig Near Killin FK21 8SU
Holidays in Central Scotland
Holidays in Perthshire
Holidays in Killin
The Dru is a national treasure: a family-run Pembrokeshire coast hotel with great sea views – and it's extremely dog-friendly too
Druidstone Hotel, Druidstone, Broad Haven, Pembrokeshire SA62 3NE
Holidays in South Wales
Holidays in Pembrokeshire
Holidays in Haverfordwest
The ultimate small-scale rural wellness retreat – in a lovely yet accessible Dorset location
Middle Piccadilly, Holwell, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 5LW
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Dorset
Holidays in Sherborne
Rustic, off-grid, luxury-budget accommodation at the eco-chic Bivouac
Swinton Bivouac, Bivouac, High Knowle Farm, Knowle Lane, Masham, Ripon, HG4 4JZ
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Masham
Dog-friendly self-catering stays with hot tubs near the shores of Loch Lomond
Finn Village, Croftamie, Glasgow, Lanarkshire G63 0HG
Holidays in South Scotland
Holidays in Lanarkshire
Holidays in Glasgow
Country-seaside chic at a restaurant with rooms on the spectacular Northumberland coast
The Whittling House, 24-25 Northumberland Street, Alnmouth, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 2RA
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in Northumberland
Holidays in Alnmouth
A spectacular historic self-catering castle bolthole in the heart of the Scottish Borders.
Aikwood Tower, Selkirk, Borders TD7 5HJ
Holidays in South Scotland
Holidays in Scottish Borders
Holidays in Selkirk
Cornish coastal eco heaven with yurts, a shepherd’s hut and organic produce
Cotna Eco Retreat, Gorran Churchtown, Cornwall PL26 6LG
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Mevagissey
A pair of romantic luxury glamping retreats deep in the heart of Sussex
Kenny's Hut and Cleo's Hut, Bull's Lane, Cowfold, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 8AP
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in West Sussex
Holidays in Horsham
A high-end Sussex holiday cottage for 2 right in the middle of the South Downs
The Piggery at John Bulls House, Bull's Lane, Cowfold, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 8AP
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in West Sussex
Holidays in Horsham
A high-end country house hotel with loads of facilities that's great for both kids and grown-ups
Calcot & Spa, Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8YJ
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Gloucestershire
Holidays in Tetbury
Cosy rooms and great food in the charming Cotswolds village of Filkins
The Five Alls, Filkins, Lechlade, Gloucestershire GL7 3JQ
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Gloucestershire
Holidays in Lechlade
Comfy glamping near the Isle of Wight's unspoilt south coast.
Tom's Eco Lodge – Tapnell Farm, Tapnell Farm Isle of Wight PO41 0YJ
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Isle Of Wight
Holidays in Freshwater
A working organic farm and estate close to Salisbury Plain with a choice of self-catering accommodation
Cholderton Estate, Cholderton, Near Andover, Hampshire SP4 0DX
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Hampshire
Holidays in Andover
This boutique country house hotel has all the makings of a perfect Norfolk weekend
Congham Hall, Lynn Rd, Congham, King's Lynn, Norfolk PE32 1AH
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in King's Lynn
A dog friendly country pub at the heart of a lavish country estate, with rooms, great food and tremendous grounds and facilities.
Fritton Lake, Church Lane, Fritton, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR31 9HA
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Great Yarmouth
Luxury cottages and treehouses with hot tubs – right on the edge of the Cairngorms
Dalnoid Cottages & Treehouses, Glenshee, Blairgowrie, Perthshire PH10 7LR
Holidays in Central Scotland
Holidays in Perthshire
Holidays in Blairgowrie
This luxury shepherd's hut with a hot tub is the ultimate romantic Scottish retreat for two
Shepherd's View, Glenshee, Blairgowrie, Perthshire PH10 7LR
Holidays in Central Scotland
Holidays in Perthshire
Holidays in Blairgowrie
Luxury lodges with hot tubs in the Eden Valley – as wonderful as it sounds!
The Lodges at Artlegarth, Artlegarth, Ravenstonedale, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria CA17 4NW
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Kirkby Stephen
This Cornwall gem is the perfect family hotel by the sea
The Rosevine, Portscatho, Cornwall TR2 5EW
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Falmouth
A romantic North Wales manor house with a royal connection and Michelin-approved restaurant
Plas Dinas Country House, Bontnewydd, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL54 7YF
Holidays in North Wales
Holidays in Gwynedd
Holidays in Caernarfon
