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Garrison Playing Field

Garrison Playing Field

Hugh Town, Isles of Scilly, Isles of Scilly, TR21, South West

Best time to visit

The site sits high above Hugh Town on the island of St Mary’s with frequent stargazing events held throughout winter organised by the Isles of Scilly AONB Partnership.

Garrison Playing Field 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

  • 25/09/25

    14° 0%

  • 25/09/25

    14° 0%

  • 26/09/25

    14° 0%

  • 26/09/25

    14° 0%

Weather forecast for Hugh Town (0.5 miles away) updated 24/09/25 at 20:02.

Local light pollution

Garrison Playing Field 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 Garrison Playing Field

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 25th Sep

Thu 25th Sep

Waxing Crescent
9 % illuminated
Dark from 19:26 to 05:08
Dark for 9h 41m
Moon phase on Fri 26th Sep

Fri 26th Sep

Waxing Crescent
16 % illuminated
Dark from 19:30 to 05:10
Dark for 9h 40m
Moon phase on Sat 27th Sep

Sat 27th Sep

Waxing Crescent
23 % illuminated
Dark from 20:00 to 05:11
Dark for 9h 11m
Moon phase on Sun 28th Sep

Sun 28th Sep

First Quarter
31 % illuminated
Dark from 20:42 to 05:13
Dark for 8h 31m
Moon phase on Mon 29th Sep

Mon 29th Sep

First Quarter
40 % illuminated
Dark from 21:36 to 05:14
Dark for 7h 38m
Moon phase on Tue 30th Sep

Tue 30th Sep

First Quarter
50 % illuminated
Dark from 22:43 to 05:16
Dark for 6h 33m
Moon phase on Wed 1st Oct

Wed 1st Oct

First Quarter
60 % illuminated
Dark from 23:58 to 05:17
Dark for 5h 19m

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

  • COSMOS Observatory Open Evening

    Tuesday 30th September 2025 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

    COSMOS Observatory, St Martins, TR25 0QN (3.8 miles away)

    More info

  • Scilly Dark Skies Week 2025 – Dark Skies Walk

    Sunday 5th October 2025 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Island Hall & Reading Room - Isles of Scilly, St Martins, TR25 0QN (3.8 miles away)

    More info

  • Scilly Dark Skies Week 2025 – Moonlit Monuments

    Monday 6th October 2025 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Island Hall & Reading Room - Isles of Scilly, St Martins, TR25 0QN (3.8 miles away)

    More info

  • Scilly Dark Skies Week 2025 – SeeStar to See Stars

    Tuesday 7th October 2025 from 19:30pm to 20:30pm

    COSMOS Observatory, St Martins, TR25 0QN (3.8 miles away)

    More info

  • COSMOS Observatory Open Evening

    Tuesday 7th October 2025 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

    COSMOS Observatory, St Martins, TR25 0QN (3.8 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

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