In a straw-poll on the SGL, about 70% of respondents said that their choice of holiday destination was affected by the quality of the night sky. In the UK there are a number of 'Dark Sky' sites, although in our experience the sky quality can vary between areas, irrespective of whether a region has IDA 'Dark Sky Park' or 'Reserve' status, or has no dark sky designation.
The Light Pollution and Radiance Light Trends maps, provide a useful indicator to check out potential destinations. Although the underlying VIIRS satellite data doesn't give a 100% accurate picture, it is nonetheless, still a very useful tool. (The chosen wavelength range from VIIRS (500-900 nm) extends into the near-infrared and omits the blue end of the spectrum, whereas our eyes are sensitive in the range 400-700 nm. The satellite will also only detect light that is shining at or near perpendicular, and so won't give a good indication of sky glow.)
When planning a visit, also remember to check the Moon Phases for the optimum dark sky experience around new moon...
Below is a list of some of the Dark Sky areas in the UK, in ascending order of their distance from Leeds. Details of events in some of the areas can also be found here: www.darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk. The Dark Sky Discovery website is another useful resource for locating potential observing sites too.
Yorkshire Dales
The Yorkshire Dales is our closest source of dark skies, with the boundary beginning at about 23 miles from Leeds City Centre. The third darkest National Park in the UK (out of 15), it has four Dark Sky Discovery Sites located at Hawes and Malham National Park Centres, Buckden National Park Car Park and Tan Hill Inn (on the northern boundary).
SQM-L measurements in their IDA application show an average of 21.39 magnitudes per square arcsecond, equivalent to a Naked-Eye Limiting Magnitude (NELM) of 6.3, or Bortle 4.
The Dales were awarded 'Dark Sky Reserve' status in 2020 and cover an area of 841 square miles.
Website:- www.yorkshiredales.org.uk
North York Moors
About 45 miles from Leeds, the North York Moors was awarded 'Dark Sky Reserve' status in 2020, following a simultaneous bid with the Yorkshire Dales to the IDA.
Covering an area of 556 square miles, the area includes three 'Milky Way' Class Dark Sky Discovery sites: Sutton Bank, the Moors National Park Centre in Dalby & the Dalby Forest Visitor Centre. The later is host to the annual Dalby Forest AstroFest, and has been the site of public night-watches since 1993. The Visitor Centre also has two observatory domes.
SQM-L measurements in the Moors IDA application show an average of 21.33 magnitudes per square arcsecond, equivalent to a Naked-Eye Limiting Magnitude (NELM) of 6.3, or Bortle 4.
Website:- www.northyorkmoors.org.uk
Lake District
About 70 miles from Leeds, the Lake District National Park website list five top places for stargazing, although in reality anywhere away from the tourist hotspots should be good.
The Friends of the Lake District are currently looking into how the area could gain IDA status as a 'Park' or 'Reserve' & are recruiting volunteers to help take SQM-L measurements. The 'Friends...' organisation also holds an annual Dark Sky event and actively campaigns against light pollution.
Website:- www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk
Northumberland National Park
About 120 miles from Leeds, together with Kielder this was the first dark sky are in England to be awarded 'Dark Sky Park' status by the IDA in 2013. The two have combined area of 615 square miles, which includes Dark Sky sites at Cawfields on Hadrians Wall, Stonehaugh and Harbottle.
SQM-L measurements from the IDA application have an average of 21.46 magnitudes per square arcsecond, equivalent to a Naked-Eye Limiting Magnitude (NELM) of 6.4, or Bortle 4.
Website:- www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk
Snowdonia
About 132 miles from Leeds, the Snowdonia National Park in Wales was awarded 'Dark Sky Reserve' status in 2015 and covers an area of 823 square miles.
SQM-L measurements from the IDA application with the three core zones have an average of 21.29 magnitudes per square arcsecond, equivalent to a Naked-Eye Limiting Magnitude (NELM) of 6.3, or Bortle 4. This perhaps highlights the difficulty of getting consistent readings, as at least some of our members find the sky conditions here to better than other UK sites they've visited.
For suggestions on where to best observe see www.discoveryinthedark.wales, but it's all pretty good, as long as it doesn't rain!
Website:- www.snowdonia.gov.wales
Kielder Water & Forest Park
Although part of the Northumberland National Park, Kielder is worth highlighting seperately. Located at about 150 miles from Leeds City Centre, the park is home to the Kielder Observatory, which is well worth a visit.
Together with the Northumberland National Park it was the first dark sky are in England to be awarded 'Dark Sky Park' status by the IDA in 2013. The combined area is 615 square miles.
Kielder is located in the darkest core of the park with an average SQM-L of 21.93 magnitudes per square arcsecond, equivalent to a Naked-Eye Limiting Magnitude (NELM) of 6.6, or Bortle 3.
Website:- www.visitkielder.com
Elan Valley
About 168 miles from Leeds, the Elan Valley estate in Wales was awarded 'Dark Sky Park' status in 2015. Located between the Snowdonia and Brecon Beacons dark sky areas, the Elan Valley has five suggested viewing sites and on-site accomodation.
SQM-L measurements from their IDA application have an average of 21.77 magnitudes per square arcsecond, equivalent to a Naked-Eye Limiting Magnitude (NELM) of 6.5, or Bortle 4.
Area - 69 square miles.
Website:- www.elanvalley.org.uk
Brecon Beacons
About 198 miles from Leeds the Welsh Brecon Beacons National Park was awarded 'Dark Sky Reserve' status in 2013.
SQM-L measurements from their IDA application have an average of 21.22 magnitudes per square arcsecond in the core zone, equivalent to a Naked-Eye Limiting Magnitude (NELM) of 6.3, or Bortle 4.
The park covers an area of 520 square miles, with ten recommened viewing locations.
Website:- www.breconbeacons.org
Galloway
About 208 miles from Leeds, the Galloway Forest Park in Scotland was the first area in the UK to be awarded 'Dark Sky Park' status in 2009.
The park covers an area of 301 square miles, with ten recommened viewing locations. It is also home to the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory.
SQM-L measurements from the Parks IDA application show 21.48 magnitudes per square arcsecond at the Clatteringshaws visitor centre, equivalent to a Naked-Eye Limiting Magnitude (NELM) of 6.4, or Bortle 4.
Website:- forestryandland.gov.scot
South Downs
About 240 miles from Leeds, the South Downs National Park was awarded 'Dark Sky Reserve' status in 2016. The Dark Sky Reserve is sometimes referred to Moore's Reserve, after astronomer Sir Patrick Moore.
The park covers an area of 628 square miles, stretching between Winchester and Eastbourne on the south coast of England, with ten recommened viewing locations.
SQM-L measurements from the Parks IDA application show 66% of the area to be 20 - 20.99 magnitudes per square arcsecond, equivalent to a Naked-Eye Limiting Magnitude (NELM) of 5.5 - 6.1, or Bortle 4-6. Only 3% had manitude values above 21.0, but this is still far better than anywhere here in Leeds!
Website:- www.southdowns.gov.uk
Cranborne Chase
About 260 miles from Leeds, Cranborne Chase, which is an AONB (Area Of Oustanding Natural Beauty) was awarded 'Dark Sky Reserve' status in 2019.
The park covers an area of 378 square miles, straddling the boundaries of Dorset, Hampshire & Wiltshire, with ten recommened viewing locations.
SQM-L measurements from the areas IDA application show 50% of readings being in the range 21.0 - 21.74 magnitudes per square arcsecond, equivalent to a Naked-Eye Limiting Magnitude (NELM) of 6.1 - 6.5, or Bortle 4.
Website:- www.chasingstars.org.uk
Exmoor
About 266 miles from Leeds, Exmoor National Park was awarded 'Dark Sky Reserve' status in 2011.
The park covers an area of 70 square miles, with eleven recommened viewing locations highlighted in their Dark Sky Pocket Guide There is also an annual Dark Sky festival and 150mm dobsonian telescopes are available for hire from three National Park Centres.
SQM-L measurements from the areas IDA 2020 Annual report have an average 21.63 magnitudes per square arcsecond, equivalent to a Naked-Eye Limiting Magnitude (NELM) of 6.4, or Bortle 4.
Website:- www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
Isle of Wight
About 275 miles from Leeds, the Isle of Wight is another good source of dark skies. The island's tourism website identifies six car parks on the southern coast as potential viewing locations, as well promoting the planetarium and the solar system beach walk.
The Wight Aviation Museum also includes a full size replica of a Black Arrow rocket, which was designed and built on the island in the 1960s and used to launch a satellite into orbit in 1971.
Although the Isle of Wight doesn't yet had IDA recognition, the local Vectis astronomy society have been working on an application. The society hold public meetings and also have their own observatory, which is open to the public on Thursday evenings.
Bodmin Moor
About 336 miles from Leeds, Bodmin Moor in Cornwall was the first AONB (Area Of Oustanding Natural Beauty) to be awarded 'Dark Sky Park' status in 2017.
Go Stargazing recommends eight possible viewing locations including Caradon Observatory, but there seems to be little in the way of promoting their Dark Skies as a tourist attraction.
Efforts are also being made to make an area of West Cornwall a 'Dark Sky Reserve':- https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/darksky
SQM-L measurements from Bodmin's IDA Application (excluding outliers) have an average 21.34 magnitudes per square arcsecond, equivalent to a Naked-Eye Limiting Magnitude (NELM) of 6.3, or Bortle 4.
Website:- www.cornwall-aonb.gov.uk
Cairngorms
About 348 miles from Leeds, Cairngorms Dark Sky Park in Scotland was awarded 'Dark Sky Park' status in 2018. It largely lies within the Cairngorms National Park, between Tomintoul and Glenlivet and covers an area of 89 square miles.
Regular events include talks, and viewing sessions are held (weather permitting) with a 14" & 10" Dobsonian and an 8" Schmidt Cassegrian.
SQM-L measurements from their IDA Application have an average 21.44 magnitudes per square arcsecond, equivalent to a Naked-Eye Limiting Magnitude (NELM) of 6.4, or Bortle 4. This is the only application I've seen where they warn that the aurora borealis may have affected measurements! The application also gives a table of Bortle scale observations which range from Bortle 2 to 5.
Website:- www.cairngormsdarkskypark.org
