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Rainton Meadows Visitor Centre

Rainton Meadows Visitor Centre

Rainton Meadows, Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne & Wear, DH4 6PU

Best time to visit

Nature reserve located between Sunderland and Durham.

Rainton Meadows Visitor Centre 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

  • 29/05/24

    14° 42%

  • 29/05/24

    13° 33%

  • 30/05/24

    12° 17%

  • 30/05/24

    12° 49%

Weather forecast for Houghton Le Spring (1.3 miles away) updated 29/05/24 at 04:00.

Local light pollution

Rainton Meadows Visitor Centre is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to asuburban suburban 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 Rainton Meadows Visitor Centre

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 Wed 29th May

Wed 29th May

Third Quarter
69 % illuminated
Dark from 22:54 to 01:09
Dark for 2h 14m
Moon phase on Thu 30th May

Thu 30th May

Third Quarter
58 % illuminated
Dark from 22:57 to 01:05
Dark for 2h 7m
Moon phase on Fri 31st May

Fri 31st May

Third Quarter
47 % illuminated
Dark from 23:01 to 01:02
Dark for 2h 0m
Moon phase on Sat 1st Jun

Sat 1st Jun

Third Quarter
36 % illuminated
Dark from 23:05 to 00:58
Dark for 1h 52m
Moon phase on Sun 2nd Jun

Sun 2nd Jun

Waning Crescent
25 % illuminated
Dark from 23:09 to 00:54
Dark for 1h 44m
Moon phase on Mon 3rd Jun

Mon 3rd Jun

Waning Crescent
16 % illuminated
Dark from 23:13 to 00:51
Dark for 1h 37m
Moon phase on Tue 4th Jun

Tue 4th Jun

Waning Crescent
8 % illuminated
Dark from 23:17 to 00:47
Dark for 1h 29m

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

    Sunday 6th October 2024 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Cygnus Observatory at Washington Wetland Centre, Washington, NE38 8LE (4.7 miles away)

    More info

  • In Search of the Northern Lights with Fred. Olsen Cruises and Go Stargazing

    Thursday 10th October 2024 from 12:00pm to Sunday 20th October 2024 12:00pm

    Newcastle Cruise Terminal, Newcastle, NE29 6EE (11.3 miles away)

    More info

  • Cygnus Observatory public open evening

    Thursday 10th October 2024 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Cygnus Observatory at Washington Wetland Centre, Washington, NE38 8LE (4.7 miles away)

    More info

  • Cygnus Observatory public open evening

    Sunday 13th October 2024 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Cygnus Observatory at Washington Wetland Centre, Washington, NE38 8LE (4.7 miles away)

    More info

  • Cygnus Observatory public open evening

    Thursday 17th October 2024 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Cygnus Observatory at Washington Wetland Centre, Washington, NE38 8LE (4.7 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • Sycamore Cottage & Glamping

    Barrasford, Hexham, Northumberland, NE48 4AG (29.6 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • The High Force Hotel

    Alston Road, Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham, DL12 0XH (29.9 miles away)

    Go Stargazing Site, Stay & Gaze

    More info