Telescopes for beginners | free mobile app | Smart telescopes

Abberton Reservoir Observatory and Visitor Centre

Abberton Reservoir Observatory and Visitor Centre

Abberton Reservoir, Colchester, Essex, CO2 0EU

Best time to visit

Essex Wildlife Trust property and excellent stargazing location away from the worst of the local light pollution.

In 2024 the location became home to a new observatory equipped with a powerful telescope with which members of the public can observe the night skies.

The venue hosts regular stargazing events organised by the Tiptree Star Gazers.

Location events organiser

Tiptree Star Gazers

Tiptree Star Gazers organises events at this location

Please contact Tiptree Star Gazers directly with any enquiries relating to visiting this location

Email: [email protected]
Website: Tiptree Star Gazers

Weather forecast

  • 24/04/26

    16° 0%

  • 24/04/26

    14° 0%

  • 24/04/26

    10° 0%

  • 25/04/26

    7° 11%

Weather forecast for Colchester (5.3 miles away) updated 24/04/26 at 12:01. Powered by Met Office data.

Local light pollution

Abberton Reservoir Observatory and Visitor Centre is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to a semi-rural location based on the latest data from the VIIRS satellite. For more advanced light pollution data, view this location on DarkSkySites.

The above demonstrates the estimated effect of light pollution - graphics created using Stellarium.

Light pollution map of Abberton Reservoir Observatory and 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 Fri 24th Apr

Fri 24th Apr

First Quarter
49 % illuminated
Dark from 02:38 to 03:13
Dark for 0h 35m
Moon phase on Sat 25th Apr

Sat 25th Apr

First Quarter
60 % illuminated
Dark from 02:53 to 03:11
Dark for 0h 18m
Moon phase on Sun 26th Apr

Sun 26th Apr

Waxing Gibbous
70 % illuminated
Dark from 03:05 to 03:08
Dark for 0h 3m
Moon phase on Mon 27th Apr

Mon 27th Apr

Waxing Gibbous
79 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Tue 28th Apr

Tue 28th Apr

Waxing Gibbous
87 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Wed 29th Apr

Wed 29th Apr

Waxing Gibbous
93 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Thu 30th Apr

Thu 30th Apr

Full Moon
97 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS

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

  • Orwell Astronomical Society meeting and observing

    Monday 27th April 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Newbourne Village Hall, Newbourne, IP12 4NP (24.7 miles away)

    More info

  • Bury St Edmunds Astronomy Association meeting

    Wednesday 29th April 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Whepstead Community Centre, Whepstead, IP29 4TA (26.5 miles away)

    More info

  • Castle Point Astronomy Club meeting

    Wednesday 29th April 2026 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

    St Michael and All Angels Church, Hadleigh, SS7 2UW (20.3 miles away)

    More info

  • Thaxted Astronomical Society club meeting

    Wednesday 29th April 2026 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

    The Swan - Thaxted, Thaxted, CM6 2PL (23.5 miles away)

    More info

  • Stour Astronomical Society meeting and observing

    Tuesday 5th May 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Cavendish Memorial Hall, Cavendish, CO10 8AD (20.2 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

No locations found