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Stanpit Marsh Visitor Centre

Stanpit Marsh Visitor Centre

Stanpit, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 3LX, South West England

Best time to visit

Stanpit Marsh Visitor Centre is a private location and is only accessible out of normal hours for stargazing by prior arrangement or when public events are scheduled.

Weather forecast

  • 24/05/26

    27° 0%

  • 24/05/26

    25° 0%

  • 24/05/26

    22° 0%

  • 25/05/26

    20° 0%

Weather forecast for Bournemouth (5.2 miles away) updated 24/05/26 at 12:01. Powered by Met Office data.

Local light pollution

Stanpit Marsh Visitor Centre is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to a semi-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 Stanpit Marsh Visitor Centre

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 Sun 24th May

Sun 24th May

First Quarter
56 % illuminated
Dark from 01:34 to 02:23
Dark for 0h 49m
Moon phase on Mon 25th May

Mon 25th May

First Quarter
66 % illuminated
Dark from 01:46 to 02:21
Dark for 0h 35m
Moon phase on Tue 26th May

Tue 26th May

Waxing Gibbous
75 % illuminated
Dark from 01:58 to 02:19
Dark for 0h 21m
Moon phase on Wed 27th May

Wed 27th May

Waxing Gibbous
83 % illuminated
Dark from 02:12 to 02:17
Dark for 0h 5m
Moon phase on Thu 28th May

Thu 28th May

Waxing Gibbous
90 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Fri 29th May

Fri 29th May

Waxing Gibbous
95 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Sat 30th May

Sat 30th May

Full Moon
98 % 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

  • Isle of Wight Observatory open night

    Thursday 28th May 2026 from 20:00pm to 22:30pm

    The Isle of Wight Observatory, Newchurch, PO36 0LX (24.3 miles away)

    More info

  • Stargazing at the Island Planetarium

    Tuesday 2nd June 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Island Planetarium, Yarmouth, PO41 0RR (10.6 miles away)

    More info

  • Isle of Wight Observatory open night

    Thursday 4th June 2026 from 20:00pm to 22:30pm

    The Isle of Wight Observatory, Newchurch, PO36 0LX (24.3 miles away)

    More info

  • Cranborne Chase Astronomy Club meeting

    Wednesday 10th June 2026 from 19:15pm to 21:00pm

    Grosvenor Arms Hotel - Shaftesbury, Shaftesbury, SP7 8JA (27.0 miles away)

    More info

  • Southampton Astronomical Society meeting

    Thursday 11th June 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:00pm

    Isaac Watts Memorial Church Hall, Southampton, SO16 6TS (20.4 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 (11.4 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Cosy Oak Yurt – Cranborne Chase

    Coombe Bissett, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP5 4LP (20.0 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info