Dark Skies Weekend in the North York Moors

Enjoy a special weekend of relaxed walks and stargazing with the team from Large Outdoors and their range of state-of-the-art telescopes, based in a cosy country inn in the North York Moors Dark Sky Reserve.

• Delight in the roaring fire, good food and cosy rooms of a 16th-century pub.
• Discover the North York Moors National Park’s dark skies with the help of our telescopes and knowledgeable guide.
• Appreciate the North York Moors scenery with leisurely walks from the door.
• Enjoy the company of your fellow walkers/stargazers while out on the trail or relax in the cost accommodation afterwards.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1

You can check in at the Fox and Hounds Inn any time after 2 pm (Large Outdoors offer a courtesy Pickup from Danby Train Station at 3 pm). Unpack, get settled, grab a cup of tea, or head out for a mini-explore of the village and surroundings – you might like to wander over to see the exhibition and gallery at the North York Moors National Park’s visitor centre at Danby Lodge.

Your guide will be ready at 5.30 pm to meet you in the bar with a warm welcome and outline the weekend plans. At 6 pm, we’ll enjoy a dinner in the private dining area in the pub’s restaurant with a menu brimful of home-cooked favourites.

After dinner, we make the most of the beautiful dark skies above by stepping outside and stargazing with the help of our telescopes. One of our smart telescopes also has a built-in digital camera to snap images of faraway celestial bodies, which we can share as a unique souvenir from the weekend. Your guide will comment on the constellations and cosmos to help you better understand the night sky.

If the weather isn’t on our side tonight, then fear not – we’ll use a dedicated space in the accommodation for an engaging and entertaining presentation and discussion about the night sky.

Day 2

Good morning! Today, we’ll enjoy a tasty cooked breakfast before lacing up our walking boots and heading out for a relaxed amble right from the door of our accommodation.

We walk through the delightful Esk Dale, an area steeped in natural beauty and cultural interest, before heading onto the moors. You’ll enjoy a delicious Fox & Hounds packed lunch accompanied by a beautiful view, and once back at base, there will be time to relax before we enjoy another meal together in the evening.

After dinner, it’s time again to wrap up warm and step outside to scan those heavenly skies before retreating into the inn’s warmth.

Day 3

This morning, we’ll enjoy a leisurely breakfast together before checking out of the accommodation (luggage can be left if you’ve travelled by public transport) and venturing out for another guided walk from the door, giving the group one final chance to soak up the fantastic local scenery. We’ll most likely explore Danby Rigg’s standing stone and ancient earthworks, returning past Danby Castle and the packhorse bridge.

We’ll arrive at our accommodation by 1 pm, allowing plenty of time for your onward journey (with a courtesy drop-off at Danby Train Station available, if required). If you wish, you could grab a bite to eat at The Fox & Hounds before you set off or enjoy some sightseeing and local produce sampling en route home – it’s a beautiful area to explore.