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South Park - Oxford

South Park - Oxford

Morrell Avenuue, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1NG, South East England

Best time to visit

Science Oxford nominated South Park as the best place to stargaze near Oxford city centre. The best visibility is in the lower area, accessed via Morrell Avenue or Headington Hill gates. The public open space has 24-hour access and good visibility.

South Park - Oxford 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

  • 21/04/26

    13° 4%

  • 21/04/26

    13° 0%

  • 21/04/26

    12° 0%

  • 22/04/26

    8° 0%

Weather forecast for Oxford (1.0 miles away) updated 21/04/26 at 06:01. Powered by Met Office data.

Local light pollution

South Park - Oxford 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 South Park - Oxford

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 21st Apr

Tue 21st Apr

Waxing Crescent
17 % illuminated
Dark from 01:14 to 03:30
Dark for 2h 16m
Moon phase on Wed 22nd Apr

Wed 22nd Apr

Waxing Crescent
27 % illuminated
Dark from 01:58 to 03:27
Dark for 1h 29m
Moon phase on Thu 23rd Apr

Thu 23rd Apr

First Quarter
38 % illuminated
Dark from 02:26 to 03:24
Dark for 0h 58m
Moon phase on Fri 24th Apr

Fri 24th Apr

First Quarter
49 % illuminated
Dark from 02:46 to 03:22
Dark for 0h 36m
Moon phase on Sat 25th Apr

Sat 25th Apr

First Quarter
60 % illuminated
Dark from 03:01 to 03:19
Dark for 0h 18m
Moon phase on Sun 26th Apr

Sun 26th Apr

Waxing Gibbous
70 % illuminated
Dark from 03:13 to 03:17
Dark for 0h 4m
Moon phase on Mon 27th Apr

Mon 27th Apr

Waxing Gibbous
79 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS

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

  • Reading Astronomical Society Friday Club for Beginners

    Friday 24th April 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    1st Wokingham Scout Hut, Wokingham, RG41 4DX (29.5 miles away)

    More info

  • Milton Keynes Astronomical Society meeting

    Friday 24th April 2026 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

    Rectory Cottages - Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK63 6BJ (26.7 miles away)

    More info

  • Abingdon Astronomical Society beginners meeting

    Monday 27th April 2026 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

    All Saint's Methodist Church Hall - Abingdon, Abingdon, OX14 2AQ (5.1 miles away)

    More info

  • Maidenhead Astronomical Society meeting & observing

    Friday 1st May 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    St James-the-Less Church Hall, Maidenhead, SL6 6QW (24.9 miles away)

    More info

  • Newbury Astronomical Society monthly meeting

    Friday 1st May 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Fair Close Centre, Newbury, RG14 6NH (25.6 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • George’s Getaway

    Shenington Road, Banbury, Warwickshire, CV35 0TH (26.0 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

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