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Selset Reservoir

Selset Reservoir

Grassholme, Near Mickleton, County Durham, DL12

Best time to visit

This location offers access to wonderful dark skies including a number of separate car parking areas which are free to access all year round.

Selset 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.

Weather forecast

  • 01/05/24

    11° 11%

  • 01/05/24

    10° 16%

  • 02/05/24

    8° 18%

  • 02/05/24

    8° 20%

Weather forecast for Baldersdale Youth Hostel (2.6 miles away) updated 30/04/24 at 20:00.

Local light pollution

Selset 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 Selset 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 Wed 1st May

Wed 1st May

Third Quarter
55 % illuminated
Dark from 21:22 to 02:45
Dark for 5h 22m
Moon phase on Thu 2nd May

Thu 2nd May

Third Quarter
44 % illuminated
Dark from 21:25 to 02:42
Dark for 5h 16m
Moon phase on Fri 3rd May

Fri 3rd May

Third Quarter
33 % illuminated
Dark from 21:28 to 02:39
Dark for 5h 10m
Moon phase on Sat 4th May

Sat 4th May

Waning Crescent
23 % illuminated
Dark from 21:31 to 02:36
Dark for 5h 4m
Moon phase on Sun 5th May

Sun 5th May

Waning Crescent
14 % illuminated
Dark from 21:34 to 02:33
Dark for 4h 58m
Moon phase on Mon 6th May

Mon 6th May

Waning Crescent
6 % illuminated
Dark from 21:36 to 02:30
Dark for 4h 53m
Moon phase on Tue 7th May

Tue 7th May

New Moon
2 % illuminated
Dark from 21:39 to 02:27
Dark for 4h 47m

Find more dates

If you are planning to visit this location check our dark sky calendar to find out when is best!

Calendar

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • Twice Brewed Observatory and Planetarium

    Bardon Mill, Hexham, Northumberland, NE47 7AN (29.9 miles away)

    Dark Sky Discovery Site, Observatory, Stay & Gaze

    More info