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Isle of Purbeck Viewpoint

Isle of Purbeck Viewpoint

Steeple, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5DF

Best time to visit

Enjoy amazing starry skies from this scenic viewpoint overlooking the Dorset coast.

This stargazing location is recommended by Dorset-based amateur astronomer The Astro Guy.

Isle of Purbeck Viewpoint 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

Isle of Purbeck Viewpoint 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 Isle of Purbeck Viewpoint

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 20th Jun

Fri 20th Jun

Third Quarter
37 % illuminated
Dark from 22:19 to 00:45
Dark for 2h 25m
Moon phase on Sat 21st Jun

Sat 21st Jun

Waning Crescent
26 % illuminated
Dark from 22:19 to 01:05
Dark for 2h 45m
Moon phase on Sun 22nd Jun

Sun 22nd Jun

Waning Crescent
16 % illuminated
Dark from 22:19 to 01:32
Dark for 3h 12m
Moon phase on Mon 23rd Jun

Mon 23rd Jun

Waning Crescent
8 % illuminated
Dark from 22:19 to 02:02
Dark for 3h 42m
Moon phase on Tue 24th Jun

Tue 24th Jun

New Moon
3 % illuminated
Dark from 22:19 to 02:02
Dark for 3h 42m
Moon phase on Wed 25th Jun

Wed 25th Jun

New Moon
0 % illuminated
Dark from 22:19 to 02:03
Dark for 3h 43m
Moon phase on Thu 26th Jun

Thu 26th Jun

New Moon
0 % illuminated
Dark from 22:19 to 02:04
Dark for 3h 44m

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

  • Reaching for the Stars at Island Planetarium

    Tuesday 1st July 2025 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Island Planetarium, Yarmouth, PO41 0RR (27.4 miles away)

    More info

  • Stargazing at the Island Planetarium

    Tuesday 1st July 2025 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Island Planetarium, Yarmouth, PO41 0RR (27.4 miles away)

    More info

  • Weymouth Astronomy Club meeting

    Friday 11th July 2025 from 19:30pm to 17:00pm

    Aldhelm's Church Centre, Weymouth, DT3 5EW (14.4 miles away)

    More info

  • Fordingbridge Astronomers monthly meeting

    Wednesday 16th July 2025 from 19:30pm to 21:00pm

    The Elm Tree - Ringwood, Ringwood, BH24 3DY (21.5 miles away)

    More info

  • Reaching for the Stars at Island Planetarium

    Tuesday 5th August 2025 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Island Planetarium, Yarmouth, PO41 0RR (27.4 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • Old Harry – Swanage

    Burlington Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 1LT, South West England (7.9 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • DreamAcres – Cranborne Chase

    Coombe Bissett, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP5 4LP (28.8 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info