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Grassholme Reservoir

Grassholme Reservoir

Grassholme, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 0PW

Best time to visit

Set on the South shore of Grassholme Reservoir this location is accessible only when organised stargazing events take place.

Grassholme 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.

Local light pollution

Grassholme 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 Grassholme 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 Thu 30th Nov

Thu 30th Nov

Waning Gibbous
92 % illuminated
Dark from 17:17 to 17:51
Dark for 0h 33m
Moon phase on Fri 1st Dec

Fri 1st Dec

Waning Gibbous
86 % illuminated
Dark from 17:16 to 19:06
Dark for 1h 49m
Moon phase on Sat 2nd Dec

Sat 2nd Dec

Waning Gibbous
79 % illuminated
Dark from 17:16 to 20:25
Dark for 3h 8m
Moon phase on Sun 3rd Dec

Sun 3rd Dec

Waning Gibbous
71 % illuminated
Dark from 17:15 to 21:44
Dark for 4h 28m
Moon phase on Mon 4th Dec

Mon 4th Dec

Third Quarter
62 % illuminated
Dark from 17:15 to 22:59
Dark for 5h 43m
Moon phase on Tue 5th Dec

Tue 5th Dec

Third Quarter
52 % illuminated
Dark from 17:14 to 00:13
Dark for 6h 58m
Moon phase on Wed 6th Dec

Wed 6th Dec

Third Quarter
43 % illuminated
Dark from 17:14 to 01:27
Dark for 8h 12m

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

  • Stargazing at High Force Waterfall

    Friday 1st December 2023 from 18:30pm to 20:30pm

    The High Force Hotel, Middleton-in-Teesdale, DL12 0XH (5.4 miles away)

    More info

  • Family star show at Wynyard Planetarium and Observatory

    Friday 1st December 2023 from 18:45pm to 20:30pm

    Wynyard Planetarium & Observatory, Stockton-on-Tees, TS21 3JG (28.2 miles away)

    More info

  • Bishop Auckland Astronomical Society monthly meeting

    Friday 1st December 2023 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Bishop Auckland Community Fire Station, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6RS (16.4 miles away)

    More info

  • Stargazing at High Force Waterfall

    Friday 1st December 2023 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    The High Force Hotel, Middleton-in-Teesdale, DL12 0XH (5.4 miles away)

    More info

  • Stargazing at High Force Waterfall

    Saturday 2nd December 2023 from 17:30pm to 19:30pm

    The High Force Hotel, Middleton-in-Teesdale, DL12 0XH (5.4 miles away)

    More info

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 (2.2 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Doe Park Caravan Site

    Cotherstone, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 9UQ, North East (3.8 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • The Byre at Woodside Farm

    Folly Top, Eggleston, County Durham, DL12 0DW (4.1 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • The High Force Hotel

    Alston Road, Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham, DL12 0XH (5.4 miles away)

    Go Stargazing Site, Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Sayer Hill Farm – Pennine Way

    Sayer Hill Farm, Forest In Teesdale, County Durham, DL12 0HH (7.6 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Langdon Beck Hotel – Teesdale

    Langdon Beck, Forest-in-Teesdale, County Durham, DL12 0XP, North East (8.0 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info