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Isle of Purbeck Viewpoint

Isle of Purbeck Viewpoint

Steeple, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5DF

Best time to visit

Enjoy amazing starry skies from this scenic viewpoint overlooking the Dorset coast.

This stargazing location is recommended by Dorset-based amateur astronomer The Astro Guy.

Isle of Purbeck Viewpoint is a Go Stargazing Site. The location has been identified by the Go Stargazing team as a good location for stargazing based on local light pollution levels, distance from nearby towns and cities and offers a safe place to park.

Weather forecast

  • 20/09/25

    15° 27%

  • 20/09/25

    13° 1%

  • 21/09/25

    12° 2%

  • 21/09/25

    10° 1%

Weather forecast for Wareham (3.9 miles away) updated 20/09/25 at 04:02.

Local light pollution

Isle of Purbeck Viewpoint 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 Isle of Purbeck Viewpoint

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 Sep

Sat 20th Sep

New Moon
3 % illuminated
Dark from 19:22 to 04:42
Dark for 9h 19m
Moon phase on Sun 21st Sep

Sun 21st Sep

New Moon
1 % illuminated
Dark from 19:20 to 04:44
Dark for 9h 23m
Moon phase on Mon 22nd Sep

Mon 22nd Sep

New Moon
0 % illuminated
Dark from 19:18 to 04:45
Dark for 9h 26m
Moon phase on Tue 23rd Sep

Tue 23rd Sep

New Moon
1 % illuminated
Dark from 19:15 to 04:47
Dark for 9h 31m
Moon phase on Wed 24th Sep

Wed 24th Sep

Waxing Crescent
4 % illuminated
Dark from 19:13 to 04:49
Dark for 9h 35m
Moon phase on Thu 25th Sep

Thu 25th Sep

Waxing Crescent
9 % illuminated
Dark from 19:11 to 04:50
Dark for 9h 38m
Moon phase on Fri 26th Sep

Fri 26th Sep

Waxing Crescent
16 % illuminated
Dark from 19:09 to 04:52
Dark for 9h 43m

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

  • Public observing with Cranborne Chase Astronomy Club

    Saturday 27th September 2025 from 19:15pm to 21:00pm

    Win Green - National Trust, Ludwell, SP7 0ES (24.1 miles away)

    More info

  • Stargazing at Hengistbury Head

    Monday 29th September 2025 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre, Bournemouth, BH6 4EN (17.2 miles away)

    More info

  • Moon Walk at Hengistbury Head

    Monday 6th October 2025 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre, Bournemouth, BH6 4EN (17.2 miles away)

    More info

  • Women’s full moon guided walk

    Tuesday 7th October 2025 from 17:30pm to 19:30pm

    RSPB Arne, Wareham, BH20 5BJ (5.7 miles away)

    More info

  • Reaching for the Stars at Island Planetarium

    Tuesday 7th October 2025 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Island Planetarium, Yarmouth, PO41 0RR (27.4 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 (7.9 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • DreamAcres – Cranborne Chase

    Coombe Bissett, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP5 4LP (28.8 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info