Dark Skies Experience at Sutton Bank

Dark Skies Experience at Sutton Bank

Saturday 9th March 2024 from 18:45pm to 21:45pm

Sutton Bank Star Hub
Sutton Bank National Park Centre, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 2EX

Join the team from Large Outdoors in the North York Moors National Park for an evening of celestial delights.

Sutton Bank is a captivating location (home to one of the North York Moors National Park’s visitor centres) where visitors typically enjoy panoramic views from the dramatic escarpment during the daylight hours.

At night, however, Sutton Bank becomes a Dark Sky Discovery Site – a proper night-sky paradise officially recognised for its low light pollution levels and apparent horizons.

You’ll meet the Large Outdoors stargazing guide at 6:45 pm, ready to start stargazing at 7 pm. They will introduce you to the night sky through our range of telescopes and knowledge of the constellations and cosmos. We’ll use the dedicated Star and Nature Hub – gathering around the outdoor seating area (with dark sky-friendly red lights) and enjoying a close-up look at the stars and other celestial bodies, offering the clearest views on the night.

Along with our regular telescopes, we’ll bring our state-of-the-art telescope with a built-in camera that we’ll use to snap some of the sights, which we can share with you as excellent digital souvenirs of what you see on the night!

As always, we’ll have a good laugh together as we learn and provide hot drinks (and biscuits) to keep you warm.

If the weather doesn’t play ball on the night, your guide will teach you more about the stars from the Star and Nature Hub’s dedicated indoor space, with an engaging and entertaining presentation and discussion about the night’s sky.

Please note that this has already taken place on 09/03/2024


Event organiser

Large Outdoors

Large Outdoors is organising this event

Please contact Large Outdoors directly for more details regarding this event or, if appropriate, contact the event venue.


Event booking

For full details on how to attend this event, including how to book, please see the event's official website.

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Event darkness

The Moon has a big impact on the visibility of celestial bodies in the night sky. Try to plan your stargazing when there is no bright Moon at night as this is when the skies will be at their darkest.

The below chart shows if and when the skies will be at their darkest during this event. Moonlight is shown in light yellow and the Sun's twilight in light blue. Midnight on the date shown is shown as a white line with sunset to the left and sunrise the next morning to the right. A black background with stars shows the best times for stargazing.



Forthcoming events

Below is a list of events at Sutton Bank Star Hub. View these events on our calendar, add them to your calendar or Google Calendar.

  • Stargazing at Sutton Bank with Richard Darn

    Saturday 9th November 2024 from 19:30pm to 22:00pm

    Sutton Bank Star Hub, Thirsk, YO7 2EX

    More info
  • Stargazing at Sutton Bank with Richard Darn

    Saturday 30th November 2024 from 19:30pm to 22:00pm

    Sutton Bank Star Hub, Thirsk, YO7 2EX

    More info
  • Stargazing at Sutton Bank with Richard Darn

    Saturday 7th December 2024 from 19:30pm to 22:00pm

    Sutton Bank Star Hub, Thirsk, YO7 2EX

    More info
  • Geminids Meteor Shower Special at Sutton Bank

    Saturday 14th December 2024 from 18:45pm to 21:45pm

    Sutton Bank Star Hub, Thirsk, YO7 2EX

    More info
  • Dark Skies Experience at Sutton Bank

    Saturday 25th January 2025 from 18:45pm to 21:45pm

    Sutton Bank Star Hub, Thirsk, YO7 2EX

    More info
  • Dark Skies Experience at Sutton Bank

    Tuesday 18th February 2025 from 18:45pm to 21:45pm

    Sutton Bank Star Hub, Thirsk, YO7 2EX

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • Carr House Farm Bed and Breakfast – Ampleforth

    Ampleforth, York, North Yorkshire, YO62 4ED (4.2 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • Easterside Farm

    Hawnby, Helmsley, North Yorkshire, YO62 5QT (4.6 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • Carlton Lodge – Helmsley

    53 Bondgate, Helmsley, North Yorkshire, YO62 5EY (6.2 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • Carlton Grange – Helmsley

    Carlton, Helmsley, North Yorkshire, YO62 5HH (6.4 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • High Farm – Beadlam Rigg

    Beadlam Rigg, Pockley, North Yorkshire, YO62 7TG (8.3 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

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  • Millfield Cottage

    Chop Gate, Middlesbrough, Cleveland, TS9 7JD, Yorkshire and The Humber England (11.0 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info