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
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 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
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
A quirky and luxurious hotel tucked into an idyllic bay between Looe and Polperro.
Talland Bay Hotel, Porthallow Cornwall PL13 2JB
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Looe
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
Self-catering cottages with style on the Bolton Abbey Estate
Bolton Abbey Cottages, Bolton Abbey, North Yorkshire
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Skipton
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 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 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
Hot tubs under the stars at this gloriously peaceful array of lakeside accommodation on the borders of Devon and Cornwall.
Clawford Lakes, Clawton, Holsworthy, Devon EX22 6PN
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Holsworthy
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
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
A picture-perfect riverside cottage in Dedham with facilities galore.
Idle Waters, Gun Hill, Dedham, Essex CO7 6JT
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Essex
Holidays in Colchester
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
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
Beautiful holiday cottages on a working dairy farm on the Isle of Wight
Tapnell Farm, Tapnell Farm, Newport Road, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight PO41 0YJ
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Isle Of Wight
Holidays in Yarmouth
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
Amazing facilities and high-class self-catering cottages in the heart of stunning Shropshire countryside
Alkington Grange Barns, Alkington, Whitchurch, Shropshire SY13 3NH
Holidays in West Midlands
Holidays in Shropshire
Holidays in Whitchurch
Boating holidays on the Norfolk Broads
Norfolk Broads Direct Boating Holidays, The Bridge, Wroxham, Norfolk, England, NR12 8RX
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Wroxham & Hoveton
A quirky pod nestled in the Flintshire countryside
Ewe Two, Oakenholt, Near Northrop
Holidays in North Wales
Holidays in Flintshire
Holidays in Oakenholt
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 week on a boat in the Broads makes for the perfect family holiday
Herbert Woods - Broads Holiday Adventures, Bridge Rd, Potter Heigham, Norfolk NR29 5JF
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Great Yarmouth
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
A truly special place to stay in a beautifully restored mill building in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Low Mill Guest House, Bainbridge Leyburn North Yorkshire DL8 3EF
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Hawes
The ultimate Dartmoor escape for jaded big city types.
Weeke Barton, Dunsford, Dartmoor, Devon EX6 7HH
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Exeter
An award-winning country pub with good food and very comfy rooms.
The Pheasant, Gestingthorpe Essex CO9 3AU
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Essex
Holidays in Halstead
A glorious luxury retreat on the edge of the Howgill Fells.
Goodies Farmhouse, Firbank, Sedbergh, Cumbria LA10 5EF
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Sedbergh
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
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
