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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
