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Ditchling Beacon

Ditchling Beacon

Ditchling, Brighton, Sussex, BN6

Best time to visit

Highest point in Sussex with 360 degree views from the summit, free parking after 6pm. Great spot to get out of town and view starry skies.

Ditchling Beacon 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

  • 06/06/24

    14° 3%

  • 06/06/24

    13° 4%

  • 07/06/24

    11° 4%

  • 07/06/24

    9° 3%

Weather forecast for Ditchling Beacon (0.1 miles away) updated 06/06/24 at 20:00.

Local light pollution

Ditchling Beacon is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to asemi-rural semi-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 Ditchling Beacon

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 Thu 6th Jun

Thu 6th Jun

New Moon
0 % illuminated
Dark from 22:02 to 01:54
Dark for 3h 51m
Moon phase on Fri 7th Jun

Fri 7th Jun

New Moon
0 % illuminated
Dark from 22:03 to 01:53
Dark for 3h 49m
Moon phase on Sat 8th Jun

Sat 8th Jun

New Moon
3 % illuminated
Dark from 22:49 to 01:53
Dark for 3h 4m
Moon phase on Sun 9th Jun

Sun 9th Jun

Waxing Crescent
7 % illuminated
Dark from 23:22 to 01:52
Dark for 2h 30m
Moon phase on Mon 10th Jun

Mon 10th Jun

Waxing Crescent
13 % illuminated
Dark from 23:44 to 01:51
Dark for 2h 7m
Moon phase on Tue 11th Jun

Tue 11th Jun

Waxing Crescent
21 % illuminated
Dark from 00:01 to 01:50
Dark for 1h 49m
Moon phase on Wed 12th Jun

Wed 12th Jun

Waxing Crescent
29 % illuminated
Dark from 00:14 to 01:50
Dark for 1h 36m

Find more dates

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

Calendar

Events nearby

Display nearby events on a calendar

  • Worthing Astronomers Club Night

    Friday 4th October 2024 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

    Clapham & Patching Village Hall, Worthing, BN13 3UT (15.6 miles away)

    More info

  • Worthing Astronomers observing night (location TBC)

    Saturday 5th October 2024 from 19:30pm to 22:30pm

    Clapham & Patching Village Hall, Worthing, BN13 3UT (15.6 miles away)

    More info

  • Kenley Observatory Public Open Evening

    Saturday 5th October 2024 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

    Norman Fisher Observatory at Kenley, Kenley, CR8 5EP (27.9 miles away)

    More info

  • Seven Sisters Astronomy Group meeting

    Tuesday 8th October 2024 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    The Griffin Inn - Fletching, Uckfield, TN22 3SS (8.8 miles away)

    More info

  • Mindful Stargazing Reset Weekend Retreat

    Friday 11th October 2024 from 16:00pm to Sunday 13th October 2024 12:00pm

    Sussex House, Lewes, BN8 6JQ (11.9 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • Foot of the Downs

    Fulking, Henfield, West Sussex, BN5 9LP (5.9 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Littleton Farm Campsite

    Upwaltham, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0LX (23.7 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info