Stargazing – a simple yet intriguing and inspiring evening activity. The hope that a shooting star might pass, or that there will be a full moon, or seeing who can spot the biggest star – there’s so much excitement and interest in observing dark skies.
The best place for stargazing is somewhere open and clear, in a rural location with low population. We recommend stargazing between October and April. This is known as ‘observing season’ as this is the time from when clocks go back, and day light hours begin to fade and nights become longer.
We have six brilliant stargazing sites. We now offer an exceptional experience for families, individuals and school groups where there is availability to hire a Dark Skies box. Our Dark Skies boxes provide all the equipment and educational information to explore the galaxies and constellations above.
From special stargazing binoculars to build your own planispheres, everything you’ll ever need is provided. Who knows, you may be the one to discover life outside of earth!.
YHA The Sill at Hadrian’s Wall
YHA Whitby
The views from YHA Whitby are amazing by day and by night. In the daytime you have panoramic views of Whitby town and the North Sea, and by night you can discover the dark skies above by stargazing.
Situated within the North York Moors National Park it again means there is little light pollution which creates the best stargazing site. Since 2016, the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Park Authorities have been celebrating the twinkling skies. YHA Whitby now hostels two stargazing events annually (October and February) linked to the North York Moors Dark Skies Festival and work with our local astronomical society to run them. They are very popular and the festival is growing in popularity each year. Why not pay a visit?
YHA South Downs
In the West of the South Downs National Park, YHA South Downs is another great stargazing spot. Over two weeks in February, the Dark Skies festival takes place and celebrates the skies with parties, talks, group observations and other family activities. But you don’t have to wait for a festival to admire the remarkable starry sights, with the Dark Skies boxes you can observe the skies from the hostel grounds for a stargazing magical evening.
YHA Hartington Hall
The Peak District offers some dark skies where you can see afar, and one of the best stargazing spots is YHA Hartington Hall. The night skies are bursting with natural wonders and within the Dark Skies boxes you are given information about the above skies as well as advice on mobile apps to download which help you explore the dark skies.
YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass
Fancy stargazing in Wales? Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park is the second area in in the country to be designated as an International Dark Sky Reserve. The views are truly breath-taking on a clear night. With our rugged, mountainous landscapes, this place is a haven for star spotting. Keep a look out for a shooting one!
If you’re a newbie, why not hire one of our sky watching boxes, filled with everything you need.
YHA Grinton Lodge
Stargazing with YHA
You can ask any of our friendly staff at the selected hostels for more information about hiring Dark Skies boxes. Equipment is available to hire from £5, and full kits are available for school groups to hire.
The kit includes:
- monoculars
- red light torches
- pack of AAA batteries (for the torches)
- bird pocket guide
- night sky guide
- tarpaulin (to lie down on for stargazing if wet)
- printed out planispheres
Happy stargazing!
Where to stay: YHA Hartington Hall, YHA The Sill at Hadrian’s Wall, YHA Whitby, YHA South Downs or YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass.
Here’s our guide on how to stargaze.
Photo credit: veneratio / Max McKinnon/ einfachmedien / Frank / darren flinders/EyeEm / Chin / Phil / Adobe Stock
