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Ditchling Beacon

Ditchling Beacon

Ditchling, Brighton, Sussex, BN6

Best time to visit

Highest point in Sussex with 360 degree views from the summit, free parking after 6pm. Great spot to get out of town and view starry skies.

Ditchling Beacon 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

  • 25/08/25

    21° 0%

  • 25/08/25

    21° 0%

Weather forecast for Ditchling Beacon (0.1 miles away) updated 25/08/25 at 16:00.

Local light pollution

Ditchling Beacon is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to a semi-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 Ditchling Beacon

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 Mon 25th Aug

Mon 25th Aug

New Moon
3 % illuminated
Dark from 20:20 to 03:46
Dark for 7h 26m
Moon phase on Tue 26th Aug

Tue 26th Aug

Waxing Crescent
8 % illuminated
Dark from 20:17 to 03:48
Dark for 7h 30m
Moon phase on Wed 27th Aug

Wed 27th Aug

Waxing Crescent
14 % illuminated
Dark from 20:14 to 03:50
Dark for 7h 35m
Moon phase on Thu 28th Aug

Thu 28th Aug

Waxing Crescent
21 % illuminated
Dark from 20:15 to 03:52
Dark for 7h 37m
Moon phase on Fri 29th Aug

Fri 29th Aug

Waxing Crescent
29 % illuminated
Dark from 20:33 to 03:54
Dark for 7h 21m
Moon phase on Sat 30th Aug

Sat 30th Aug

First Quarter
38 % illuminated
Dark from 20:57 to 03:56
Dark for 6h 59m
Moon phase on Sun 31st Aug

Sun 31st Aug

First Quarter
48 % illuminated
Dark from 21:31 to 03:58
Dark for 6h 27m

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

  • South Downs Planetarium show

    Wednesday 27th August 2025 from 15:30pm to 16:30pm

    South Downs Planetarium and Science Centre, Chichester, PO19 8RP (29.8 miles away)

    More info

  • Big Camp Out at Sheffield Park and Garden

    Thursday 28th August 2025 from 12:00pm to Friday 29th August 2025 09:00am

    Sheffield Park & Garden - National Trust, Uckfield, TN22 3QX (8.4 miles away)

    More info

  • Herstmonceux Astronomy Festival 2025

    Friday 29th August 2025 from 14:00pm to Sunday 31st August 2025 12:00pm

    The Observatory Science Centre, Hailsham, BN27 1RN (19.8 miles away)

    More info

  • South Downs Planetarium show

    Friday 29th August 2025 from 15:30pm to 16:30pm

    South Downs Planetarium and Science Centre, Chichester, PO19 8RP (29.8 miles away)

    More info

  • Wealden Astronomers monthly meeting and observing

    Friday 29th August 2025 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Herstmonceux Castle, Hailsham, BN27 1RN (19.5 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • Foot of the Downs

    Fulking, Henfield, West Sussex, BN5 9LP (5.9 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Littleton Farm Campsite

    Upwaltham, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0LX (23.7 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info