Durlston Astronomy Centre and Observatory
Durlston Country Park, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2JL
Located at Durlston Country Park is an observatory hosting a large aperture 14″ Meade telescope and facilities for talks and presentations with stargazing events run by Wessex Astronomical Society. Note that out of hours access to this location is only available when stargazing events are on.
Location events organiser
Wessex Astronomical Society organises events at this location
Please contact Wessex Astronomical Society directly with any enquiries relating to visiting this location
Email: [email protected]
Website: Wessex Astronomical Society
Facebook: Wessex Astronomical Society
Weather forecast
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20/09/25
15° 6% -
20/09/25
13° 4% -
21/09/25
12° 3% -
21/09/25
11° 8%
Weather forecast for Swanage Youth Hostel (0.9 miles away) updated 20/09/25 at 04:02.
Local light pollution
Durlston Astronomy Centre and Observatory is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to a semi-rural location based on the latest data from the VIIRS satellite.
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Urban
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Suburban
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Semi-rural
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Rural
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Dark site
The above demonstrates the estimated effect of light pollution - graphics created using Stellarium.
Light pollution map of Durlston Astronomy Centre and Observatory
Best time to visit
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.
Sat 20th Sep
Sun 21st Sep
Mon 22nd Sep
Tue 23rd Sep
Wed 24th Sep
Thu 25th Sep
Fri 26th Sep
Find more dates
If you are planning to visit this location check our dark sky calendar to find out when is best!
CalendarForthcoming events
Below is a list of events at Durlston Astronomy Centre and Observatory. View these events on our calendar, add them to your calendar or Google Calendar.
Stay and gaze nearby
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