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 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
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
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
These cruises are a great way to see Mull and the Scottish islands and West Coast
St Hilda Sea Adventures – Scottish Cruises, Dunbeg, Oban, Argyll PA37 1PX
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Argyll & Bute
Holidays in Oban
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
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
Eco-luxury nature glamping retreat in Pembrokeshire, surrounded by ancient woodlands and wild meadows, close to stunning beaches, and with awe-inspiring dark skies
Top of the Woods Glamping, Penrallt, Capel Coleman, Boncath, Pembrokeshire SA37 0EP
Holidays in South Wales
Holidays in Pembrokeshire
Holidays in Crymych
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
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
A collection of cottages for every occasion across the Cumbrian Lake District.
Lakeland Cottage Company, Woodside, Charney Road, Coniston, Cumbria LA11 6BP
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Cartmel
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
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
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
North Star Sanctum, Humbleton Road, Fitling, East Riding of Yorkshire, HU12 9AJ
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in East Riding of Yorkshire
Holidays in Hull
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
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
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
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
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 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 lavish yet homely country residence, courtesy of hotelier Olga Polizzi.
Hotel Endsleigh, Milton Abbot Devon PL19 0PQ
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Tavistock
Dog-friendly accommodation at a country pub between Hexham and Hadrian’s Wall
The Boatside Inn , Warden, Hexham, Northumberland NE46 4SQ
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in Northumberland
Holidays in Hexham
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
YHA Tanners Hatch, off Ranmore Common Road, Dorking, Surrey, RH5 6BE
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Surrey
Holidays in Dorking
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
Beautifully renovated self-catering barns in a stunning setting in the North York Moors National Park
Crag House Farm, Crag House Farm, Danby Head, Whitby, North Yorkshire YO21 2NW
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Whitby
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
Adults-only luxury glamping in a gloriously remote location.
Oaklands Glamping, Llangyniew, Welshpool, Powys SY21 9EJ
Holidays in Mid Wales
Holidays in Powys
Holidays in Welshpool
Heartwood Treehouse, Llangyniew, Welshpool, Powys SY21 9EJ
Holidays in Mid Wales
Holidays in Powys
Holidays in Welshpool
