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 secluded Lake District cottage bolthole for two in a luxury, contemporary barn conversion, just a short drive from Ambleside or Windermere
Townfoot Barn, Townfoot, Troutbeck, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 1LB
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Ambleside
A bijou little Lake District suite for a couple, in an atmospheric 300-year-old farmhouse
Townfoot Byre, Townfoot, Troutbeck, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 1LB
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Ambleside
A romantic lakeside bolthole for two on the shores of Ullswater
The Boathouse at Knotts End, The Boathouse at Knotts End, Lake Ullswater, near Watermillock, Cumbria, CA11 0JJ
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Ullswater
A luxurious and very secluded lakeside cabin in the South Downs National Park
Ditchling Cabin, Whitelands Reservoir, Underhill Lane Hassocks BN6 9PL
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in East Sussex
Holidays in Ditchling
Two enchanting treehouses on the edge of ancient woodland in Wales
Rhiw Wood Treehouses, Hundred House, Llandrindod Wells, Powys LD15RY
Holidays in Mid Wales
Holidays in Powys
Holidays in Llandrindod Wells
A charming and romantic Sussex cottage on the edge of the Ashdown Forest
The Nest, Danehill, Haywards Heath, East Sussex
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in West Sussex
Holidays in Haywards Heath
A modern barn conversion between the Cambrian Mountains and Cardigan Bay
Ysgubor Holiday Cottage, Nant yr Onnen, Tregaron, Ceredigion SY25 6NH
Holidays in Mid Wales
Holidays in Ceredigion
Holidays in Tregaron
Adults-only self-contained glamping pods in the Lake District's beautiful Lyth Valley, between Kendal and Lake Windermere.
Damson View Glamping, Orchard Barn, Crosthwaite, Cumbria LA8 8HS
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Bowness on Windermere
Self-catering eco-lodges in a beautiful nature and conservation centre.
Denmark Farm, Denmark Farm Eco Campsite, Betws Bledrws, Lampeter, Ceredigion, SA48 8PB
Holidays in Mid Wales
Holidays in Ceredigion
Holidays in Lampeter
A comfortable converted barn in a gloriously tranquil rural location in the heart of Suffolk
Ivy Grange Farm Barn, Butts Road, Westhall, Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 8RN
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Halesworth
Gorgeous, luxury farmhouse B&B with millpond, woods and walks, near the Pembrokeshire coast
Hen Ffermdy, Llangloffan, Castlemorris, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire SA62 5ET
Holidays in South Wales
Holidays in Pembrokeshire
Holidays in Fishguard
This group of cottages is perfectly placed for both the Brecon Beacons and the buzzy town of Crickhowell
The Neuadd Cottages, The Neuadd, Llangattock, Crickhowell, Powys NP8 1LE
Holidays in Mid Wales
Holidays in Powys
Holidays in Crickhowell
A comfortable and very peaceful Norfolk off-grid cabin for two
Albion Nights, Albion Barn, Norwich Road, Woodton, Near Bungay, Norfolk NR35 2LP
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Bungay
A haven of peace that's also a perfect base for exploring Sheringham and the North Norfolk Coast.
Tree Top View, 34a Brook Road, Sheringham, Norfolk NR26 8QE
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Sheringham & Cromer
A pretty, dog-friendly thatched cottage for two in the Dorset village of Stourpaine
Tudor Rose Cottage, 1 Havelins, Stourpaine, Dorset DT11 8TH
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Dorset
Holidays in Blandford Forum
A boutique B&B with luxury suites in the heart of the Brecon Beacons and close to the buzzy town of Crickhowell
The Neuadd B&B Suites, The Neuadd, Llangattock, Crickhowell, Powys NP8 1LE
Holidays in Mid Wales
Holidays in Powys
Holidays in Crickhowell
Luxurious log cabins in the Scottish Borders, for a romantic break in the heart of glorious countryside
LazyDay Cottages, West Fishwick, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1XQ
Holidays in South Scotland
Holidays in Scottish Borders
Holidays in Fishwick
Self-catering cottages with saunas, hot tubs and lots of style deep in the Perthshire Highlands
Tallavey Cottages, Tigh na Croft, Enochdhu, Perthshire PH10 7PW
Holidays in Central Scotland
Holidays in Perthshire
Holidays in Pitlochry
An eco-friendly Somerset watermill in an idyllic rural location.
Ashford Mills, Ashford Mill House, Ilton, Somerset TA19 9ED
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Somerset
Holidays in Ilminster
Two beautiful eco- and family-friendly self-catering properties in a lovely rural location close to the Exmoor National Park.
Middle Stone Farm Cottage & Cabin, Middle Stone Farm, Brompton Ralph, Somerset TA4 2RT
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Somerset
Holidays in Taunton
This 2-bed barn conversion is 'a little piece of paradise' in the bucolic countryside of North Wales.
Escape To The Stables, Stables, Glan Clwyd Bella, Llandyrnog, LL16 4HY
Holidays in North Wales
Holidays in Denbighshire
Holidays in Denbigh
Just outside Lewes, this is a classic Sussex Downs pub with stylish rooms and terrific food.
The Jolly Sportsman, Chapel Lane, East Chiltington, East Sussex BN7 3BA
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in East Sussex
Holidays in Lewes
Cliff Cottage, Sheringham, Sheringham Salt, NR26 8BJ
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Sheringham & Cromer
Historic house and cosy lodge in one of the most beautiful parts of central Scotland
Balgedie House & Lodge, Easter Balgedie Kinross KY13 9HQ
Holidays in Central Scotland
Holidays in Perthshire
Holidays in Kinross
A perfect, very peaceful, Northumberland sanctuary for two
The Bothy, Fourstones, Hexham, Northumberland NE47 5DX
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in Northumberland
Holidays in Hexham
Beautifully furnished rooms that are ideally placed for exploring Northumberland.
The Coach House, High Warden, Hexham, Northumberland NE46 4SR
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in Northumberland
Holidays in Hexham
A very comfortable, special rural retreat with sensational views over the glorious Northumberland countryside.
The Laverick Cottage, Fourstones, Hexham, Northumberland NE47 5DX
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in Northumberland
Holidays in Hexham
A unique adults-only B&B in a peaceful corner of Herefordshire that you won't want to leave.
The Cob at Montpelier, Brilley, Whitney-on-Wye, Herefordshire HR3 6HF
Holidays in West Midlands
Holidays in Herefordshire
Holidays in Whitney-on-Wye
A fabulous off-grid cottage in one of Cornwall's most gloriously remote locations.
Leskernick Cottage, Bolventor Near Launceston Cornwall PL15 7TJ
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Launceston
A properly off-grid Scottish adventure on the West Coast's Ardnish Peninsula
Peanmeanach Bothy, Ardnish Peninsula
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Inverness-shire
Holidays in Mallaig
A super-inviting pub with comfy rooms and terrific food in majestically rugged surroundings.
The West Arms, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Wrexham LL20 7LD
Holidays in North Wales
Holidays in Wrexham
Holidays in Wrexham
Eco-responsible glamping away from the crowds, with sweeping views and immediate fell access
Once Upon a Fell, Whin Yeats Farm, Hutton Roof, South Lakes, Cumbria LA6 2PJ
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Kirkby Lonsdale
Eco-friendly, dog-welcoming country cottages that are handy for visiting Ely, Cambridge and exploring the unique landscape of the Fens.
Gravel Farm, Gravel Farm, Newmarket Road, Stretham, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB6 3LJ
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Cambridgeshire
Holidays in Ely
Hedgerow Luxury Glamping, Hedgerow Luxury Glamping, Knott Lane, Newsholme, Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 4JF
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Lancashire
Holidays in Clitheroe
Boutique glamping in barns and shepherds huts in the Snowdonia National Park
Snowdonia Glamping Holidays, Plas yn Rhos, Rhydlanfair, Betws-y-Coed, Conwy LL24 0SS
Holidays in North Wales
Holidays in Conwy
Holidays in Betws y Coed
Great Langdale Campsite, Great Langdale LA22 9JU
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Cosy yurt glamping in a beautiful rural mid-Wales location.
Fforest Fields Glamping, Hundred House Llandrindod Wells Powys LD1 5RU
Holidays in Mid Wales
Holidays in Powys
Holidays in Llandrindod Wells
A perfect site right next to the River Wyre – ideal for picnicking and larking about in the sun.
Dolphinholme House Farm, Dolphinholme House Farm, Dolphinholme, Lancashire LA2 9DJ
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Lancashire
Holidays in Lancaster
Cosy, mountainside camping pods for Snowdonia hikers, bikers and adventure junkies
Bryn Dinas Glamping Pods, Nantgwynant, Beddgelert, Gwynedd LL55 4NH
Holidays in North Wales
Holidays in Gwynedd
Holidays in Beddgelert
Exquisite wooden cabins for two in a stunning Warwickshire location
Tiny Wood Homes, Grange Cottages, Snowford Hill, Long Itchington, Southam, Warwickshire CV47 9QE
Holidays in West Midlands
Holidays in Warwickshire
Holidays in Leamington Spa
If you want quirky, cool glamping in a beautiful National Park location, Lazy Duck is the place for you.
Lazy Duck, Nethy Bridge, Inverness-shire PH25 3ED
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Inverness-shire
Holidays in Aviemore
Welcoming, well-run woodland glamping in the heart of rural Suffolk.
West Stow Pods, West Stow Pods, Ingham Road, West Stow, Suffolk IP28 6EX
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Bury St. Edmunds
Family-sized safari tents on the edge of the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire
Up Sticks Glamping, Birtsmorton, Malvern, Worcestershire WR13 6AP
Holidays in West Midlands
Holidays in Worcestershire
Holidays in Upton-Upon-Severn
Yorkshire's original glamping site – and still one of the best!
Pinewood Park, Racecourse Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO12 5TG
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Scarborough
Luxury shepherds huts on the Yorkshire-Lancashire border.
Copy House Hideaway, Copy House Farm, Bleara Road, Earby, Lancashire BB18 6LF
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Lancashire
Holidays in Clitheroe
Your very own glamping spot in a remote wilderness location, with only the trees and the birds for company.
The Yurt Farm, Sigl-dy-Gwt, Penuwch, Tregaron, Ceredigion, SY25 6RE
Holidays in Mid Wales
Holidays in Ceredigion
Holidays in Aberaeron
Secluded bell tent glamping on a North Norfolk estate currently re-wilding 2000 acres of land.
Amber's Bell Tent Camping Little Massingham Estate, Little Massingham Estate, Church Lane, King's Lynn, Norfolk PE32 2JS
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in King's Lynn
An organic smallholding in Orkney with yurts, pods, bell tents – and a cosy cottage!
Wheems Organic Farm, Wheems, Eastside, South Ronaldsay, Orkney KW17 2TJ
Holidays in Scottish Isles