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Dovestone Reservoir Car Park

Dovestone Reservoir Car Park

Greenfield, Oldham, Lancashire, OL3 7ND, North West England

Best time to visit

Escape the worst of Manchester and Oldham’s light pollution at this reservoir car park. Toilets are also on site, although unsure if they are open 24 hours.

Dovestone Reservoir Car Park is a Go Stargazing Site. The location has been identified by the Go Stargazing team as a good location for stargazing based on local light pollution levels, distance from nearby towns and cities and offers a safe place to park.

Weather forecast

  • 04/10/25

    9° 19%

  • 04/10/25

    8° 50%

  • 05/10/25

    8° 46%

  • 05/10/25

    7° 49%

Weather forecast for Alphin Pike (0.7 miles away) updated 04/10/25 at 20:02.

Local light pollution

Dovestone Reservoir Car Park is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to a 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 Dovestone Reservoir Car Park

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 Sat 4th Oct

Sat 4th Oct

Waxing Gibbous
87 % illuminated
Dark from 03:42 to 05:02
Dark for 1h 20m
Moon phase on Sun 5th Oct

Sun 5th Oct

Waxing Gibbous
94 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Mon 6th Oct

Mon 6th Oct

Full Moon
98 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Tue 7th Oct

Tue 7th Oct

Full Moon
100 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Wed 8th Oct

Wed 8th Oct

Full Moon
99 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Thu 9th Oct

Thu 9th Oct

Waning Gibbous
95 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Fri 10th Oct

Fri 10th Oct

Waning Gibbous
88 % illuminated
Dark from 18:38 to 05:12
Dark for 10h 33m

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

  • Public stargazing at the Astronomy Centre

    Saturday 4th October 2025 from 19:30pm to 23:00pm

    The Astronomy Centre, Near Todmorden, OL14 7HP (14.3 miles away)

    More info

  • Solar observing at High Legh Community Observatory

    Sunday 5th October 2025 from 10:00am to 13:00pm

    High Legh Community Observatory, High Legh, WA16 6NS (22.2 miles away)

    More info

  • Dark Sky Hike from Castleton with Trekking Tom

    Monday 6th October 2025 from 18:00pm to 23:00pm

    Castleton Visitor Centre, Castleton, S33 8WN (15.2 miles away)

    More info

  • Huddersfield Astronomical Society meeting and observing

    Tuesday 7th October 2025 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Lockwood Park Bowling Pavilion, Huddersfield, HD4 6EN (10.4 miles away)

    More info

  • Macclesfield Astronomical Society Workshop Evening

    Tuesday 7th October 2025 from 20:00pm to 21:00pm

    Calvary Church, Macclesfield, SK11 8RH (19.9 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • Dovestone Holiday Park

    Chew Valley Road, Greenfield, Lancashire, OL3 7NF (0.2 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • The Nook Brewhouse

    3A Victoria Square, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, HD9 2DN (8.5 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Daisy Bank Camp

    Blackshaw Head, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX7 7JB (15.4 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info