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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

  • 20/04/24

    7° 4%

  • 20/04/24

    6° 8%

  • 21/04/24

    5° 6%

  • 21/04/24

    5° 7%

Weather forecast for Houghton Le Spring (1.3 miles away) updated 20/04/24 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 Sat 20th Apr

Sat 20th Apr

Waxing Gibbous
86 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Sun 21st Apr

Sun 21st Apr

Waxing Gibbous
92 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Mon 22nd Apr

Mon 22nd Apr

Full Moon
96 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Tue 23rd Apr

Tue 23rd Apr

Full Moon
99 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Wed 24th Apr

Wed 24th Apr

Full Moon
100 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
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 23:23
Dark for 2h 15m

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 21st April 2024 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

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

    More info

  • Informal stargazing at Wynyard Planetarium and Observatory

    Tuesday 23rd April 2024 from 19:30pm to 21:00pm

    Wynyard Planetarium & Observatory, Stockton-on-Tees, TS21 3JG (15.8 miles away)

    More info

  • Cygnus Observatory public open evening

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

    Cygnus Observatory at Washington Wetland Centre, Washington, NE38 8LE (4.7 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 (21.0 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 (5.7 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