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Raby Castle

Raby Castle

Staindrop, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL2 3AH

Best time to visit

This incredible 14th century medieval castle and expansive estate offers a fantastic location for stargazing and astrophotography.

Raby Castle is a private location and is only accessible out of normal hours for stargazing by prior arrangement or when public events are scheduled.

Weather forecast

  • 25/04/24

    6° 4%

  • 25/04/24

    3° 1%

  • 26/04/24

    3° 3%

  • 26/04/24

    2° 4%

Weather forecast for Staindrop (0.9 miles away) updated 25/04/24 at 04:00.

Local light pollution

Raby Castle 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 Raby Castle

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 Apr

Thu 25th Apr

Full Moon
99 % illuminated
Dark from 21:04 to 21:59
Dark for 0h 54m
Moon phase on Fri 26th Apr

Fri 26th Apr

Waning Gibbous
96 % illuminated
Dark from 21:07 to 23:22
Dark for 2h 14m
Moon phase on Sat 27th Apr

Sat 27th Apr

Waning Gibbous
91 % illuminated
Dark from 21:09 to 00:37
Dark for 3h 27m
Moon phase on Sun 28th Apr

Sun 28th Apr

Waning Gibbous
84 % illuminated
Dark from 21:12 to 01:36
Dark for 4h 23m
Moon phase on Mon 29th Apr

Mon 29th Apr

Waning Gibbous
76 % illuminated
Dark from 21:15 to 02:16
Dark for 5h 0m
Moon phase on Tue 30th Apr

Tue 30th Apr

Third Quarter
66 % illuminated
Dark from 21:18 to 02:41
Dark for 5h 22m
Moon phase on Wed 1st May

Wed 1st May

Third Quarter
55 % illuminated
Dark from 21:21 to 02:44
Dark for 5h 22m

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

  • Cygnus Observatory public open evening

    Thursday 25th April 2024 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Cygnus Observatory at Washington Wetland Centre, Washington, NE38 8LE (24.7 miles away)

    More info

  • Stargazing at the Robin Hood Inn

    Thursday 25th April 2024 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

    The Robin Hood Inn - East Wallhouses, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE18 0LL (29.2 miles away)

    More info

  • Durham Astronomical Society monthly meeting

    Friday 26th April 2024 from 19:30pm to 21:00pm

    Durham Botanic Garden, Durham, DH1 3TN (14.8 miles away)

    More info

  • Cygnus Observatory public open evening

    Sunday 28th April 2024 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Cygnus Observatory at Washington Wetland Centre, Washington, NE38 8LE (24.7 miles away)

    More info

  • Informal stargazing at Wynyard Planetarium and Observatory

    Tuesday 30th April 2024 from 19:30pm to 21:00pm

    Wynyard Planetarium & Observatory, Stockton-on-Tees, TS21 3JG (17.0 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • Old Dairy B&B Swaledale

    Low Row, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL11 6PE (17.2 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Tan Hill Inn

    Reeth, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL11 6ED (17.2 miles away)

    Dark Sky Discovery Site, Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Sayer Hill Farm – Pennine Way

    Sayer Hill Farm, Forest In Teesdale, County Durham, DL12 0HH (17.8 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Langdon Beck Hotel – Teesdale

    Langdon Beck, Forest-in-Teesdale, County Durham, DL12 0XP, North East (18.0 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Butt House Guest House – Keld

    Keld, Thwaite, North Yorkshire, DL11 6LJ (19.6 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Greenlands Bed and Breakfast – Keld

    Angram Lane, Keld, North Yorkshire, DL11 6DY (20.2 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info