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
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
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
Burgh Island Hotel is a spectacularly iconic Art Deco landmark on its own island in South Devon
Burgh Island Hotel, Bigbury-on-Sea, Devon TQ7 4BG
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Kingsbridge
Not far from Windermere, this luxe-meets-rustic Lake District boutique inn springs a surprise with its own smokehouse and micro-brewery
The Wild Boar, Crook, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 3NF
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Windermere
Self-catering for 18 in a country house with a hot tub and sauna on the edge of Exmoor
West Down Estate Country House, Whitechapel, South Molton, Devon EX36 3EQ
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in South Molton
A private estate, a Michelin-star trained chef, a golf course in the rolling hills of the Borders
The Roxburghe Hotel and Golf Course, Good Heiton, Kelso, Roxburghshire TD5 8JZ
Holidays in South Scotland
Holidays in Scottish Borders
Holidays in Kelso
An exceptional boutique B&B in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales
Stow House, Aysgarth Leyburn North Yorkshire DL8 3SR
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Aysgarth
A cosy place to stay in the heart of the Peak District
Barrel Inn, Bretton, Near Eyam, Hope Valley, Derbyshire S32 5QD
Holidays in East Midlands
Holidays in Derbyshire
Holidays in Hathersage
Has all the charm of an old inn in a little visited Lake District corner
Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater CA13 0RU
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Loweswater
Stunning country house getaway overlooking Loch Awe.
Ardanaiseig, Kilchrenan, Taynuilt, Argyll PA35 1HE
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Argyll & Bute
A genteel country house hotel just outside Hawes, North Yorkshire
Simonstone Hall, Hawes, North Yorkshire DL8 3LY
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Hawes
Seaside chic and great food in a fabulous coastal location.
The Gallivant, New Lydd Road, Camber Sands, Rye, East Sussex TN31 7RB
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in East Sussex
Holidays in Rye
This Lancashire inn is a shining beacon of good cooking and warm hospitality
The Cartford Inn, Cartford Lane, Little Eccleston, Near Preston, Lancashire PR3 0YP
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Lancashire
Holidays in Preston
Dylan Thomas's old watering-hole in Laugharne is a terrific boutique venue at any time of year.
Browns, King Street, Laugharne, Carmarthenshire SA33 4RY
Holidays in South Wales
Holidays in Carmarthenshire
Holidays in Laugharne
An ideal youth hostel for outdoor enthusiast,s set in oneof Scotland’s most iconic landscapes.
Glencoe Youth Hostel, Glencoe Ballachulish Argyll PH49 4HX
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Argyll & Bute
Just yards away from thewhite sands of Achmelvich beach – your own slice of hostel paradise.
Achmelvich Beach Youth Hostel, Recharn By Lochinver, Sutherland, IV27 4JB
Holidays in Central Scotland
Cool, sophisticated and unusual, foodie hotel in an easy-to-get-to but remote location
Monachyle Mhor Hotel, Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Perthshire FK19 8PQ
Holidays in Central Scotland
Holidays in Perthshire
Holidays in Killin
A contemporary set of holiday-accommodation for dendrophiles and friends
Portavadie, Portavadie, Loch Fyne, Argyll PA21 2DA
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Argyll & Bute
Cringletie House Hotel, Edinburgh Road, Peebles, Tweedale EH45 8PL
Holidays in South Scotland
Holidays in Scottish Borders
Holidays in Peebles
Rustic yet luxurious self-catering log cabins on the shores of Loch Awe
Portsonachan Log Cabins, South Loch Awe Side, Dalmally, Argyll & Bute PA33 1BJ
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Argyll & Bute
Holidays in Oban
Proper Perthshire luxury self-catering with outdoor hot tubs and saunas.
Mains of Taymouth, Kenmore near Aberfeldy, Perthshire PH15 2HN
Holidays in Central Scotland
Holidays in Perthshire
Holidays in Aberfeldy
Luxury cottages, cabins and glamping a short drive from Cardigan Bay.
Treberfedd Farm, Treberfedd Dihewyd, Lampeter, Ceredigion SA48 7NW
Holidays in Mid Wales
Holidays in Ceredigion
Holidays in Lampeter
Three large and quirky holiday houses on a Sussex country estate.
House on the Brooks, Hardham Mill, Hardham, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 1LA
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in West Sussex
Holidays in Pulborough
An isolated staging post proud of its history, The Cluanie Inn's rooms are filled with character
Cluanie Inn, Glenmoriston, Inverness-Shire IV63 7YW
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Inverness-shire
Saracens Head, Wolterton Near Erpingham, Norfolk NR11 7LZ
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Aylsham
Many hotels on the west coast boast spectacular views, but Loch Melfort maybe has the best views of all.
Loch Melfort Hotel, Arduaine by Oban, Argyll PA34 4XG
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Argyll & Bute
Holidays in Oban
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
Ardachy House Hotel, Ardachy House Hotel Uisken by Bunessan Isle of Mull PA67 6DS
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Argyll & Bute
Holidays in Isle of Mull
A cosy Yorkshire Dales pub with rooms
Queen's Arms, Litton, North Yorkshire BD23 5QJ
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Settle
A no-nonsense pub with great food and comfy rooms – a hikers' favourite!
The Buck Inn, Malham North Yorkshire BD23 4DA
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Malham
Comfortable and clean pub accommodation at the Britannia Inn by Elterwater. Pop in for a beer and stay a few days.
Britannia Inn, Elterwater, Cumbria LA22 9HP
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Ambleside
A gracious West Sussex country house hotel with swish spa.
Park House Hotel & Spa, Bepton, Midhurst, West Sussex GU29 0JB
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in West Sussex
Holidays in Midhurst
Glorious isolation in a beautiful part of Scotland, free from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Muasdale Holiday Apartments, Muasdale, Tarbert, Argyll PA29 6XD
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Argyll & Bute
Holidays in Muasdale
A wonderful dog-friendly hideaway that feels a million miles from the modern world.
Cuckoo Brow Inn, Far Sawrey, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 0LQ
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Ambleside
A very comfortable North Cornwall boutique bed-and-breakfast
Costislost House, Washaway, Wadebridge, Cornwall PL30 3AP
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Wadebridge
This historic coaching inn is one of the most iconic Cornish locations you could choose to stay in.
Jamaica Inn, Bolventor, Launceston, Cornwall PL15 7TS
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Launceston
A proper pub with comfortable en-suite rooms in the heart of Hackney.
The Old Ship, 2 Sylvester Path, London E8 1EN
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Greater London
Holidays in Hackney
A refurbished historic pub with rooms and excellent food in a beautiful Lake District location.
The Queen's Head Hotel, Troutbeck Brow, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 1PW
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Windermere
Exquisite décor throughout this dog friendly B&B, hidden in the North Yorkshire village of Austwick
The Traddock, Austwick, Settle, North Yorkshire LA2 8BY
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Settle
Tan Hill Inn, Reeth, Swaledale, North Yorkshire, England, DL11 6ED, UK
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Reeth
Not far from Falmouth, this is a unique Cornwall hotel nestled in its own by sub-tropical gardens overlooking the sea
Hotel Meudon, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 5HT
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Falmouth
A beautiful contemporary boutique hotel by the sea with gorgeous rooms and a superb restaurant
The Idle Rocks, Harbourside St, Mawes, Cornwall, TR2 5AN
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
A beautiful country house hotel set in gorgeous grounds in the heart of St Davids, Pembrokeshire
Penrhiw Priory, St Davids, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire SA62 6PG
Holidays in South Wales
Holidays in Pembrokeshire
Holidays in St Davids
A friendly, well-catered hostel that's convenient for Snowdonia – and, in particular, Snowdon itself.
Lodge Dinorwig, Lodge Dinorwig, Dinorwig, Gwynedd, North Wales LL55 3EY
Holidays in North Wales
Holidays in Gwynedd
Holidays in Llanberis
