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Boscombe Overcliff Nature Reserve

Boscombe Overcliff Nature Reserve

Boscombe Cliff Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH5 1LN

Best time to visit

Public venue - public location used for stargazing events.

Weather forecast

  • 20/06/26

    22° 5%

  • 20/06/26

    22° 5%

  • 20/06/26

    21° 1%

  • 21/06/26

    19° 1%

Weather forecast for Bournemouth (2.1 miles away) updated 20/06/26 at 12:01. Powered by Met Office data.

Local light pollution

Boscombe Overcliff Nature Reserve is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to a suburban 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 Boscombe Overcliff 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 20th Jun

Sat 20th Jun

Waxing Crescent
30 % illuminated
Dark from 23:41 to 01:58
Dark for 2h 17m
Moon phase on Sun 21st Jun

Sun 21st Jun

First Quarter
41 % illuminated
Dark from 23:53 to 01:58
Dark for 2h 5m
Moon phase on Mon 22nd Jun

Mon 22nd Jun

First Quarter
51 % illuminated
Dark from 00:05 to 01:59
Dark for 1h 54m
Moon phase on Tue 23rd Jun

Tue 23rd Jun

First Quarter
61 % illuminated
Dark from 00:18 to 01:59
Dark for 1h 41m
Moon phase on Wed 24th Jun

Wed 24th Jun

Waxing Gibbous
70 % illuminated
Dark from 00:34 to 02:00
Dark for 1h 26m
Moon phase on Thu 25th Jun

Thu 25th Jun

Waxing Gibbous
79 % illuminated
Dark from 00:55 to 02:01
Dark for 1h 6m
Moon phase on Fri 26th Jun

Fri 26th Jun

Waxing Gibbous
86 % illuminated
Dark from 01:22 to 02:01
Dark for 0h 39m

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

  • Isle of Wight Observatory open night

    Thursday 25th June 2026 from 20:00pm to 22:30pm

    The Isle of Wight Observatory, Newchurch, PO36 0LX (27.3 miles away)

    More info

  • Vectis Astronomical Society monthly meeting

    Friday 26th June 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Newchurch Pavilion, Newchurch, PO36 0LX (27.4 miles away)

    More info

  • Isle of Wight Observatory open night

    Thursday 2nd July 2026 from 20:00pm to 22:30pm

    The Isle of Wight Observatory, Newchurch, PO36 0LX (27.3 miles away)

    More info

  • Stargazing at the Island Planetarium

    Tuesday 7th July 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Island Planetarium, Yarmouth, PO41 0RR (13.6 miles away)

    More info

  • Southampton Astronomical Society meeting

    Thursday 9th July 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:00pm

    Isaac Watts Memorial Church Hall, Southampton, SO16 6TS (23.1 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • Old Harry – Swanage

    Burlington Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 1LT, South West England (8.8 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Cosy Oak Yurt – Cranborne Chase

    Coombe Bissett, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP5 4LP (20.1 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info