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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.

Local light pollution

Dovestone Reservoir Car Park 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 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 Fri 4th Jul

Fri 4th Jul

First Quarter
61 % illuminated
Dark from 23:48 to 01:28
Dark for 1h 40m
Moon phase on Sat 5th Jul

Sat 5th Jul

Waxing Gibbous
70 % illuminated
Dark from 00:01 to 01:30
Dark for 1h 29m
Moon phase on Sun 6th Jul

Sun 6th Jul

Waxing Gibbous
79 % illuminated
Dark from 00:20 to 01:33
Dark for 1h 13m
Moon phase on Mon 7th Jul

Mon 7th Jul

Waxing Gibbous
86 % illuminated
Dark from 00:49 to 01:35
Dark for 0h 46m
Moon phase on Tue 8th Jul

Tue 8th Jul

Waxing Gibbous
92 % illuminated
Dark from 01:32 to 01:37
Dark for 0h 5m
Moon phase on Wed 9th Jul

Wed 9th Jul

Full Moon
96 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Thu 10th Jul

Thu 10th Jul

Full Moon
99 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS

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

  • Rosse Observatory public open evening

    Friday 4th July 2025 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Rosse Observatory, Pontefract, WF8 3RJ (29.9 miles away)

    More info

  • Chesterfield Barnett Observatory open evening (visitors welcome)

    Friday 4th July 2025 from 20:00pm to 21:30pm

    Chesterfield Barnett Observatory, Chesterfield, S41 8RH (29.1 miles away)

    More info

  • Public observing at High Legh Community Observatory

    Friday 4th July 2025 from dusk

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

    More info

  • Public stargazing at the Astronomy Centre

    Saturday 5th July 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 6th July 2025 from 10:00am to 13:00pm

    High Legh Community Observatory, High Legh, WA16 6NS (22.2 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