The annual Perseids meteor shower is possibly the most eagerly anticipated by astronomers. For several years they have resulted in a great show with dozens of bright meteors being spotted every hour around the peak of their activity. They are reliable and make for a great excuse to get out under starry skies.
The peak of the Perseid meteor shower of 2025 occurs at the same time as a bright Moon in the sky, meaning only the brightest meteors can be seen. There is therefore no advantage in travelling to a dark sky site (nowhere is dark when there’s a bright moon!). However, Perseid meteors are renown for being bright, and therefore should still put on a good show. In recent years, several nights before the peak have also offered excellent viewing.
How to see Perseid meteors
To see Perseid meteors, find a location away from light pollution with clear, unobstructed views in all directions, including towards the horizons and directly above. Rather than looking at any specific part of the sky, use your peripheral vision to scan the whole sky for shooting stars. When you see one, your eyes will be drawn naturally towards it. You don’t need a telescope or binoculars, just your eyes!
What causes the Perseid meteor shower?
Each year as the Earth travels in its orbit around the Sun, it encounters a vast swathe of cosmic dust left over by the comet Swift-Tuttle. As these tiny dust particles enter Earth’s atmosphere at an incredible speed, they burn up, leaving a brief but bright trail — a shooting star!
Why is it called the Perseid meteor shower?
All meteor showers have a name based on the constellation they appear to radiate from. Perseid meteors appear to radiate from the constellation of Perseus.
When is the best time to see Perseid meteors?
The best time to see the Perseids is when they peak on the night of August 12th into the morning of August 13th each year. The peak of activity occurs in the early morning hours, around 2 am, when Earth rotates into the dust cloud left over from the tail of comet Swift-Tuttle. The tiny fragments in this dust cloud disintegrate as they enter Earth’s upper atmosphere, causing shooting stars.
Around the peak and on a dark, moonless night, up to 80 meteors per hour may be visible from a dark sky location. Several nights before and after are also excellent opportunities to see them.
Where are the best places to see the Perseid meteor shower in the UK?
The best places to see the Perseid meteor shower are at dark sky locations away from light pollution. If you cannot travel to a dark sky site, finding somewhere away from direct light is worthwhile, as doing so will allow your eyes to adjust. Some Perseids can be very bright, so it’s worth looking out for them even from light-polluted areas.
For ideas of where to go, see our location map or check our light pollution map to find your own best locations. Register on our website for notifications of other cool things to see in the night skies.
Perseid meteor photographed by Allan Trow / Dark Sky Wales
Publicly accessible Perseid meteor shower events
Many astronomy clubs, societies and observatories host public observing events where people can view the Perseids with friendly, experienced astronomers. Independent venues are also known to host events, perhaps as a charity fundraiser combined with a BBQ or sleepover.
This events map is continually updated on the run-up to the meteor shower’s peak; please check back regularly!
Public events around the peak of the Perseids meteor shower
-
Stargazing break at Ashes Farm for the Perseids Meteor Shower
Monday 11th August 2025 from 16:00pm to Wednesday 13th August 2025 12:00pm
Ashes Farm Bed & Breakfast, Holiday Cottage and Lodges, Settle, BD24 0JB
More info
-
Orwell Astronomical Society meeting and observing
Monday 11th August 2025 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm
Newbourne Village Hall, Newbourne, IP12 4NP
More info
-
Rosse Observatory – Perseids meteor shower special
Monday 11th August 2025 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm
Rosse Observatory, Pontefract, WF8 3RJ
More info
-
Jersey Astronomy Club Observatory Open Night
Monday 11th August 2025 from 21:00pm to 23:00pm
Sir Patrick Moore Astronomy Centre - Jersey, St. Brelade, JE3 8LN
More info
-
Perseids Meteor Shower Star Party with Doncaster Astro
Monday 11th August 2025 from 21:00pm to 23:30pm
Austerfield Field Study Centre & The Brian Joynes Observatory, Doncaster, DN10 6RG
More info
-
Garden of Stars Astronomy Club Night
Tuesday 12th August 2025 from 19:00pm to 21:30pm
Stirley Nature Reserve - Garden of Stars, Huddersfield, HD4 6FA
More info
-
Norman Lockyer Observatory Open Evening (Perseids meteor shower & storytelling)
Tuesday 12th August 2025 from 19:30pm to 22:30pm
Norman Lockyer Observatory and Planetarium, Sidmouth, EX10 0NY
More info
-
Perseids Meteor Shower observing an 50 Years of Voyager talk
Tuesday 12th August 2025 from 19:30pm to 22:30pm
Wilbarston Village Hall, Wilbarston, LE16 8QD
More info
-
Perseids Meteor Watch at Wynyard (free!)
Tuesday 12th August 2025 from 19:30pm to 23:30pm
Wynyard Planetarium & Jack Youdale Observatory, Stockton-on-Tees, TS21 3JG
More info
-
Sheffield Astronomical Society Meeting
Tuesday 12th August 2025 from 19:45pm to 22:00pm
The Ranmoor Parish Centre, Sheffield, S10 3GX
More info
-
Cornwall Astronomy Society Meeting & Stargazing
Tuesday 12th August 2025 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm
Degibna Chapel, Helston, TR12 7PR
More info
-
COSMOS Observatory Open Evening
Tuesday 12th August 2025 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm
COSMOS Observatory, St Martins, TR25 0QN
More info
-
Keele Observatory public open evening
Tuesday 12th August 2025 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm
Keele Observatory, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 5BG
More info
-
See the Perseid meteor shower with Sussex Sidewalk Astronomers
Tuesday 12th August 2025 from 20:00pm to Wednesday 13th August 2025 01:00am
Hastings Country Park, Fairlight, TN35 4AD
More info
-
See the Perseids at Munnings Art Museum
Tuesday 12th August 2025 from 20:00pm to 22:30pm
Munnings Art Museum, Dedham, CO7 6AZ
More info
-
See the Perseids at RSPB Dungeness
Tuesday 12th August 2025 from 20:00pm to 23:00pm
RSPB Dungeness, Romney Marsh, TN29 9PN
More info
-
See the Perseids meteor shower with Highlands Astro
Tuesday 12th August 2025 from 20:00pm to 23:00pm
Jim Savage-Lowden Observatory, Culloden Moor, IV2 5EU
More info
-
See the Perseids with Plymouth Astro
Tuesday 12th August 2025 from 20:00pm to 23:00pm
Wembury Beach Car Park, Plymouth, PL9 0HP
More info
-
See the Perseids at Hengistbury Head
Tuesday 12th August 2025 from 20:30pm to 23:30pm
Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre, Bournemouth, BH6 4EN
More info
-
See the Perseids with Bierhope Alpacas!
Tuesday 12th August 2025 from 21:00pm to Wednesday 13th August 2025 00:00am
Beirhope Farm, Kelso, TD5 8AP
More info
-
Night Photography: Shooting the Perseids Meteor Shower
Tuesday 12th August 2025 from 21:03pm to 23:30pm
Strata Florida Abbey, Pontrhydfendigaid, SY25 6ES
More info
-
Photographing the Perseids Meteor Shower
Tuesday 12th August 2025 from 21:30pm to 23:30pm
Strata Florida Abbey, Pontrhydfendigaid, SY25 6ES
More info
-
See the Perseids at Toothill Observatory
Tuesday 12th August 2025 from 21:30pm to 23:30pm
Toothill Observatory, Southampton, SO16 8AL
More info
-
See the Perseids meteor shower at Clatteringshaws
Tuesday 12th August 2025 from 21:30pm to 23:30pm
Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre, Near New Galloway, DG7 3SQ
More info
-
Friends of the Marlborough Telescope Perseids meteor shower
Tuesday 12th August 2025 from 22:00pm to Wednesday 13th August 2025 00:00am
Blackett Observatory, Marlborough, SN8 1PA
More info
-
See the Perseids at Kenley Aerodome
Tuesday 12th August 2025 from 22:00pm to Wednesday 13th August 2025 02:00am
RAF Kenley Tribute Memorial, Kenley, CR5 1JS
More info
-
See the Perseids with Bath Astronomers (free)
Tuesday 12th August 2025 from 22:00pm to Wednesday 13th August 2025 01:00am
Lansdown Park & Ride, Bath, BA1 9BJ
More info
-
Leighton Observatory Open Evening
Wednesday 13th August 2025 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm
Leighton Observatory - Pex Hill, Widnes, WA8 5QW
More info
-
Blackpool & District Astronomical Society Meeting
Wednesday 13th August 2025 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm
Blackpool Cricket Club, Blackpool, FY3 9EQ
More info
-
Salford Observatory open evening
Wednesday 13th August 2025 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm
Salford Observatory, Chasely Fields, M6 7DZ
More info
-
See the Perseids Meteor Shower at OM Dark Sky Observatory
Friday 15th August 2025 from 21:30pm to 23:00pm
OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory, Cookstown, BT79 8JH
More info
How and where to see the partial solar eclipse in March 2025
National Astronomy Week 2025: Chasing the Moon
See the Parade of Planets in January and February 2025
How to see the Milky Way in the UK
Jupiter and Venus conjunction - March 2023