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Balderhead Reservoir

Balderhead Reservoir

Hunderthwaite, Near Cotherstone, County Durham, DL12

Best time to visit

Viewing location alongside the reservoir with the locations remoteness providing excellent views of the dark skies above, free overnight parking.

Balderhead Reservoir is a Dark Sky Discovery Site, an officially recognised place where anyone can stargaze. Most such locations have overnight parking (sometimes with a fee); however, many do not allow overnight camping. There may or may not be toilet facilities.

Weather forecast

  • 19/04/24

    6° 1%

  • 19/04/24

    3° 3%

  • 20/04/24

    2° 1%

  • 20/04/24

    2° 1%

Weather forecast for Baldersdale Youth Hostel (0.7 miles away) updated 19/04/24 at 04:01.

Local light pollution

Balderhead Reservoir is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to arural rural location based on the latest data from the VIIRS satellite.

The above demonstrates the estimated effect of light pollution - graphics created using Stellarium.

Light pollution map of Balderhead Reservoir

Best time to visit

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 when the skies will be at their darkest at this location and therefore the best time to visit. 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. See our dark sky calendar for more details.

Moon phase on Fri 19th Apr

Fri 19th Apr

Waxing Gibbous
79 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Sat 20th Apr

Sat 20th Apr

Waxing Gibbous
86 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Sun 21st Apr

Sun 21st Apr

Waxing Gibbous
92 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Mon 22nd Apr

Mon 22nd Apr

Full Moon
96 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Tue 23rd Apr

Tue 23rd Apr

Full Moon
99 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Wed 24th Apr

Wed 24th Apr

Full Moon
100 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Thu 25th Apr

Thu 25th Apr

Full Moon
99 % illuminated
Dark from 21:05 to 22:00
Dark for 0h 54m

Find more dates

If you are planning to visit this location check our dark sky calendar to find out when is best!

Calendar

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • Owl Cottage – Teesdale

    Middleton in Teesdale, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 0RN (4.7 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Doe Park Caravan Site

    Cotherstone, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 9UQ, North East (4.9 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • The Byre at Woodside Farm

    Folly Top, Eggleston, County Durham, DL12 0DW (5.9 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • The High Force Hotel

    Alston Road, Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham, DL12 0XH (6.8 miles away)

    Go Stargazing Site, Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Tan Hill Inn

    Reeth, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL11 6ED (7.7 miles away)

    Dark Sky Discovery Site, Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Sayer Hill Farm – Pennine Way

    Sayer Hill Farm, Forest In Teesdale, County Durham, DL12 0HH (8.6 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info