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Bowlees Visitor Centre

Bowlees Visitor Centre

Newbiggin, Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham, DL12 0XF

Best time to visit

Bowlees Visitor Centre 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

  • 16/09/25

    10° 4%

  • 16/09/25

    8° 7%

  • 17/09/25

    9° 11%

  • 17/09/25

    9° 89%

Weather forecast for Langdon Beck Youth Hostel (2.4 miles away) updated 16/09/25 at 16:02.

Local light pollution

Bowlees Visitor Centre 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 Bowlees 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 Tue 16th Sep

Tue 16th Sep

Third Quarter
33 % illuminated
Dark from 19:42 to 23:41
Dark for 3h 58m
Moon phase on Wed 17th Sep

Wed 17th Sep

Waning Crescent
23 % illuminated
Dark from 19:39 to 01:10
Dark for 5h 30m
Moon phase on Thu 18th Sep

Thu 18th Sep

Waning Crescent
15 % illuminated
Dark from 19:36 to 02:37
Dark for 7h 0m
Moon phase on Fri 19th Sep

Fri 19th Sep

Waning Crescent
8 % illuminated
Dark from 19:34 to 04:00
Dark for 8h 25m
Moon phase on Sat 20th Sep

Sat 20th Sep

New Moon
3 % illuminated
Dark from 19:31 to 04:34
Dark for 9h 2m
Moon phase on Sun 21st Sep

Sun 21st Sep

New Moon
1 % illuminated
Dark from 19:28 to 04:36
Dark for 9h 7m
Moon phase on Mon 22nd Sep

Mon 22nd Sep

New Moon
0 % illuminated
Dark from 19:26 to 04:38
Dark for 9h 11m

Find more dates

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

Calendar

Forthcoming events

Below is a list of events at Bowlees Visitor Centre. View these events on our calendar, add them to your calendar or Google Calendar.

  • North Pennines Stargazing Festival – Dark Skies Run

    Wednesday 29th October 2025 from 19:00pm to 21:30pm

    Bowlees Visitor Centre, Middleton-in-Teesdale, DL12 0XF

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • The High Force Hotel

    Alston Road, Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham, DL12 0XH (1.4 miles away)

    Go Stargazing Site, Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Langdon Beck Hotel – Teesdale

    Langdon Beck, Forest-in-Teesdale, County Durham, DL12 0XP, North East (3.8 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • The Byre at Woodside Farm

    Folly Top, Eggleston, County Durham, DL12 0DW (7.4 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Doe Park Caravan Site

    Cotherstone, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 9UQ, North East (7.8 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Carr’s Farm Bunk House

    Wear Bank, Wolsingham, County Durham, DL3 3BQ (10.7 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Cranmore House – Nenthead

    Holmsfoot, Nenthead, Cumbria, CA9 3LS (12.6 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info