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Suffolk Coast Nature Reserve

Suffolk Coast Nature Reserve

Blythburgh, Halesworth, Suffolk, IP19 9NB

Best time to visit

A public car park overlooking Suffolk Coast National Nature Reserve with very little light pollution.

Suffolk Coast Nature Reserve 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

  • 04/10/25

    11° 5%

  • 04/10/25

    11° 1%

  • 05/10/25

    11° 0%

  • 05/10/25

    10° 0%

Weather forecast for Southwold - The Denes (beach) (2.8 miles away) updated 04/10/25 at 04:02.

Local light pollution

Suffolk Coast Nature Reserve is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to a 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 Suffolk Coast Nature Reserve

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 4th Oct

Sat 4th Oct

Waxing Gibbous
87 % illuminated
Dark from 03:28 to 04:48
Dark for 1h 20m
Moon phase on Sun 5th Oct

Sun 5th Oct

Waxing Gibbous
94 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Mon 6th Oct

Mon 6th Oct

Full Moon
98 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Tue 7th Oct

Tue 7th Oct

Full Moon
100 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Wed 8th Oct

Wed 8th Oct

Full Moon
99 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Thu 9th Oct

Thu 9th Oct

Waning Gibbous
95 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Fri 10th Oct

Fri 10th Oct

Waning Gibbous
88 % illuminated
Dark from 18:23 to 04:59
Dark for 10h 35m

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

  • DashAstro Society Meeting and Talk

    Sunday 5th October 2025 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Darsham Village Hall, Darsham, IP17 3QJ (3.8 miles away)

    More info

  • Orwell Park Observatory Open Evening

    Monday 6th October 2025 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

    Orwell Park Observatory, Nacton, IP10 0ER (26.1 miles away)

    More info

  • Orwell Astronomical Society meeting and observing

    Monday 13th October 2025 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Newbourne Village Hall, Newbourne, IP12 4NP (22.5 miles away)

    More info

  • Lowestoft and Yarmouth Regional Astronomers Meeting

    Tuesday 14th October 2025 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Parkhill Hotel Coach House Room, Lowestoft, NR32 5DQ (14.3 miles away)

    More info

  • Haw Wood Farm Astronomers Week – Autumn 2025

    Thursday 16th October 2025 from 17:00pm to Thursday 23rd October 2025 12:00pm

    Haw Wood Farm Caravan Park, Saxmundham, IP17 3QT (2.8 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • Haw Wood Farm Caravan Park

    Hinton, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 3QT (2.8 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Blyth Rise Stays

    Station Road, Laxfield, Suffolk, IP13 8HF (11.0 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Windmill Lodges

    Red House Farm, Saxtead, Suffolk, IP13 9RD (14.4 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Albion Nights

    Norwich Road, Woodton, Norfolk, NR35 2LP (17.1 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info