Stargazing in North West England

With forests, fells, moors, mountains and beaches, there are plenty of excellent dark skies in North West England, where you may see the Milky Way, shooting stars and maybe the Northern Lights!

The Forest of Bowland AONB is particularly worthy of special mention, being home to several Dark Sky Discovery Sites.

Even near the city areas of Liverpool and Manchester, you’ll find dark sky pockets such as Delamere Forest. The Lake District has incredibly dark skies too, where light pollution in some areas is virtually non-existent. Take a (red light) torch!



Stargazing events in North West England

  • Macclesfield Astronomical Society lecture meeting

    Tuesday 19th March 2024 from 20:00pm to 21:00pm

    Goostrey Village Hall, Macclesfield, CW4 8PE

    More info
  • Leighton Observatory Open Evening

    Wednesday 20th March 2024 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Leighton Observatory - Pex Hill, Widnes, WA8 5QW

    More info
  • Advanced Astrophotography

    Wednesday 20th March 2024 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Jodrell Bank Observatory, Macclesfield, SK11 9DL

    More info
  • Salford Observatory open evening

    Wednesday 20th March 2024 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Salford Observatory, Chasely Fields, M6 7DZ

    More info
  • Manchester Astronomical Society weekly meeting

    Thursday 21st March 2024 from 18:00pm to 21:00pm

    Blackett Lecture Theatre, Manchester, M13 9PL

    More info
  • Heaton Park Astronomy Group meeting and observing

    Thursday 21st March 2024 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Heaton Park Bowls Pavilion - Prestwich, Prestwich, M25 2GT

    More info
  • Moor Park Observatory public open evening

    Thursday 21st March 2024 from 19:00pm to 22:00pm

    Jeremiah Horrocks Observatory - Moor Park, Preston, PR2 3AE

    More info
  • South Cheshire Astronomical Society meeting

    Thursday 21st March 2024 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Holiday Inn Express - Crewe, Crewe, CW1 6DR

    More info
  • Free Stargazing Night with Wythenshawe Stargazers

    Thursday 21st March 2024 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Message Community Hub, Wythenshawe, M22 4RG

    More info
  • Southport Astronomical Society meeting

    Thursday 21st March 2024 from 19:30pm to 21:00pm

    Scarisbrick Bowling Club, Southport, PR8 6LG

    More info

Stargazing locations in North West England

  • Aira Force High Force Car Park

    Park Brow, Dockray, Cumbria, CA11 0JY, North West England

    Go Stargazing Site

    More info
  • Alston Observatory

    Alston Lane, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 3BP

    Observatory

    More info
  • Beacon Fell Visitor Centre

    Beacon Fell, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 2NL

    Dark Sky Discovery Site

    More info
  • Blea Tarn Car Park – Lake District

    Little Langdale, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9PG

    Go Stargazing Site

    More info
  • Bowness Knott Car Park – Lake District

    Croasdale, Ennerdale Bridge, Cumbria, CA23 3AU

    Go Stargazing Site

    More info
  • Buttermere Car Park – National Trust

    Buttermere, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 9XA, North West England

    Go Stargazing Site

    More info
  • Campfield Marsh Nature Reserve

    Bowness-on-Solway, Wigton, Cumbria, CA7 5AF

    Go Stargazing Site

    More info
  • Caton Moor Windfarm

    Caton, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA2 9HF

    Aurora Viewpoint, Go Stargazing Site

    More info
  • Crook O Lune Picnic Site

    Low Road, Halton Green, Lancashire, LA2

    Dark Sky Discovery Site

    More info
  • Crummock Water Car Park – Lake District

    B5289 North of Buttermere, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 9XA

    Go Stargazing Site

    More info

Stargazing accommodation in North West England

  • Bowland Wild Boar Park

    Chipping, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 2QT

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • Broadrake Bunkbarn & Workshops

    Chapel-le-Dale, Ingleton, Lancashire, LA6 3AX, Yorkshire and The Humber

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • Brookfield Guest House – Keswick

    Penrith Road, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4LJ

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • Cambridge House Hotel – Millom

    1 Cambridge Street, Millom, Cumbria, LA18 5BD

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • Clerk Laithe Lodge

    Slaidburn Road, Newton in Bowland, Lancashire, BB7

    Stay & Gaze

    More info