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Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve

Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve

Holmeswood Road, Rufford, Lancashire, L40 1TG, North West

Best time to visit

The location is Mere Sands Wood visitor centre. The visitor centre has literature, toilets and a small shop selling gifts, hot and cold drinks and confectionery. The site is run by The Lancashire Wildlife Trust, who are a local wildlife charity, working to protect wildlife and nature for the future.

Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve is a private location and is only accessible out of normal hours for stargazing by prior arrangement or when public events are scheduled.

Location events organiser

Robert Ince Stargazing Events

Robert Ince Stargazing Events organises events at this location

Please contact Robert Ince Stargazing Events directly with any enquiries relating to visiting this location

Email: [email protected]
Website: Robert Ince Stargazing Events
Twitter: @Robbieince
Facebook: Robert Ince Stargazing Events

Weather forecast

  • 18/07/26

    20° 1%

  • 18/07/26

    20° 4%

  • 18/07/26

    19° 0%

  • 19/07/26

    18° 0%

Weather forecast for Southport (7.1 miles away) updated 18/07/26 at 12:01. Powered by Met Office data.

Local light pollution

Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to a rural 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 Mere Sands Wood 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 18th Jul

Sat 18th Jul

Waxing Crescent
17 % illuminated
Dark from 22:32 to 02:05
Dark for 3h 32m
Moon phase on Sun 19th Jul

Sun 19th Jul

Waxing Crescent
26 % illuminated
Dark from 22:29 to 02:08
Dark for 3h 38m
Moon phase on Mon 20th Jul

Mon 20th Jul

First Quarter
36 % illuminated
Dark from 22:26 to 02:11
Dark for 3h 44m
Moon phase on Tue 21st Jul

Tue 21st Jul

First Quarter
45 % illuminated
Dark from 22:33 to 02:14
Dark for 3h 41m
Moon phase on Wed 22nd Jul

Wed 22nd Jul

First Quarter
55 % illuminated
Dark from 22:48 to 02:17
Dark for 3h 29m
Moon phase on Thu 23rd Jul

Thu 23rd Jul

First Quarter
65 % illuminated
Dark from 23:08 to 02:19
Dark for 3h 11m
Moon phase on Fri 24th Jul

Fri 24th Jul

Waxing Gibbous
74 % illuminated
Dark from 23:38 to 02:22
Dark for 2h 44m

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 stargazing at the Astronomy Centre

    Saturday 18th July 2026 from 18:00pm to 22:00pm

    The Astronomy Centre, Near Todmorden, OL14 7HP (28.5 miles away)

    More info

  • Leighton Observatory Open Evening

    Wednesday 22nd July 2026 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Leighton Observatory - Pex Hill, Widnes, WA8 5QW (17.1 miles away)

    More info

  • Salford Observatory open evening

    Wednesday 22nd July 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Salford Observatory, Chasely Fields, M6 7DZ (24.1 miles away)

    More info

  • Manchester Astronomical Society weekly meeting

    Thursday 23rd July 2026 from 18:00pm to 21:00pm

    Blackett Lecture Theatre, Manchester, M13 9PL (27.5 miles away)

    More info

  • Public observing at High Legh Community Observatory

    Friday 24th July 2026 from dusk

    High Legh Community Observatory, High Legh, WA16 6NS (25.0 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • Bowland Wild Boar Park

    Chipping, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 2QT (20.3 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

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  • Graystock Lodge – Cockerham

    Cockerham, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA2 0ER (20.4 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

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  • Clerk Laithe Lodge

    Slaidburn Road, Newton in Bowland, Lancashire, BB7 (26.7 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

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  • Lloyds Meadow Glamping

    Delamere Road, Mouldsworth, Cheshire, CH3 8BD (28.5 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info