There are a surprising number of observatories across the United Kingdom, perhaps reflecting the great tradition our nation has of astronomical adventure and scientific endeavour. Most famous of all is The Royal Observatory in Greenwich which has been home to many famous astronomers such as Sir Edmund Halley and Sir John Flamsteed.
Along with the recent growth in popularity of Astronomy there is an ongoing effort by the Campaign to Protect Rural England to protect our country’s dark skies. The result is that more observatories are being built with recent additions ranging from smaller community based locations such as the North Pennines Observatory all the way up to large projects such as the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory in Galloway Dark Sky Park.
All of the observatories listed below are accessible to the public however visiting them requires prior arrangement either by contacting the observatory directly, attending one of their public events or in a few circumstances by general admission.
Observatory map
Airdrie Observatory
Airdrie Library, Airdrie, ML6 0AG
Alston Observatory
Alston Lane, Preston, PR3 3BP
Athenaeum Observatory
Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1LU
Battlesteads Observatory
The Battlesteads Hotel, Wark, NE48 3LS
Bayfordbury Observatory
Lower Hatfield Road, Bayfordbury, SG13 8LD
Beacon Hill Observatory
Montgomery Road, Cleethorpes, DN35
Breckland Astronomical Observatory
Great Ellingham, Near Attleborough, NR17
Brian Joynes Observatory
Austerfield Field Study Centre, Doncaster, DN10 6RG
Brough Observatory
Prescott Avenue, Brough, HU15 1BB
Bruce Observatory - Whitby School
Prospect Hill, Whitby, YO21 1LA
Caradon Observatory
Upton Cross, Liskeard, PL14 5BQ
Chesterfield Barnett Observatory
Hastings Close, Chesterfield, S41 8RH
Clanfield Observatory
Hinton Heights, Clanfield, PO8
Coats Observatory
Paisley Museum, Paisley, PA1 2BA
COSMOS Observatory
Signal Row, St Martins, TR25 0QN
Cygnus Observatory
Washington Wetland Centre, Washington, NE38 8LE
Dalby Forest Visitor Centre
Dalby Forest, Thornton-le-Dale, YO18 7LT
Durlston Astronomy Centre
Durlston Country Park, Swanage, BH19 2JL
Edinburgh Royal Observatory
Blackford Hill, Edinburgh, EH9 3HJ
Failand Observatory
Failand, Near Wraxall, BS8 3US
Fernley Observatory
Hesketh Park, Southport, PR9 9LN
Flamsteed Observatory
Near Brailsford, Derby, DE6 3BY
Godlee Observatory
Sackville Street, Manchester, M1 7AY
Guernsey Observatory
Rue du Lorier, St Pierre du Bois, GY7 9JU
Hanwell Community Observatory
Hanwell, Banbury, OX17 1HN
Hauxley Nature Reserve and Observatory
Low Hauxley, Newcastle, NE65 0JR
High Legh Community Observatory
Abbey Leys Farm, High Legh, WA16 6NS
Huddersfield Observatory
Blackmoorfoot Road, Heights, HD4 7AF
Institute of Astronomy
University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HA
Isle Of Man Observatory
Higher Foxdale, Foxdale, IM4 3HB
J.A. Jones Hoober Observatory
Lee Brook Lane, Wentworth, S62 7SH
James Irwin Observatory
Canterbury Adult Education Centre, Canterbury, CT2 8QA
Jeremiah Horrocks Observatory - Moor Park
Blackpool Road, Preston, PR2 3AE
Jim Savage-Lowden Observatory
Culloden Battlefield, Culloden Moor, IV2 5EU
Jodrell Bank Observatory
University of Manchester, Macclesfield, SK11 9DL
Keele Observatory
Keele University, Stoke-on-Trent, ST5 5BG
Kenley Observatory
Near Kenley Aerodrome, Kenley, CR8 5EP
Kielder Observatory
Black Fell, Near Kielder Village, NE48
Leighton Observatory
Pex Hill Visitors Centre, Widnes, WA8 5QW
Letchworth Observatory
Standalone Farm, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 4JN
Lime Tree Observatory
Lime Tree Farm, Grewelthorpe, HG4 3DA
Lincoln Observatory
Westcliffe Street, Lincoln, LN1 3TZ
Loxham Observatory
Duncan Road, Cranfield, MK43 0TH
Luton Dall Observatory
Putteridge Bury, Luton, LU2 8LE
Mills Observatory
Glamis Road, Balgay Park, Dundee, DD2 2UB
Newchurch Observatory
Watery Lane, Newchurch, PO36 0LX
Nonsuch High School Observatory
Ewell Road, Cheam, SM3 8AB
Norman Lockyer Observatory
Salcombe Hill Road, Sidmouth, EX10 0NY
North Pennines Observatory
The Old School House, Allenheads, NE47 9HR
Orwell Park Observatory
Orwell Park School, Nacton, IP10 0ER
Piazzi Smyth Observatory
Bedford School, Bedford, MK40 2TU
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Observatory
The Green Road, Ashbourne, DE6 1EP
Reepham Observatory
Reepham High School & College, Reepham, NR10 4JT
Roseland Observatory
Court Farm, Coombe, PL26 7LE
Rosse Observatory
Carleton Road, Pontefract, WF8 3RJ
Royal Observatory Greenwich
Blackheath Avenue, London, SE10 8XJ
Salford Observatory
Chaseley Road, Chasely Fields, M6 7DZ
Scottish Dark Sky Observatory
Craigengillan Lodge, Dalmellington, KA6 7PZ
Seething Observatory
Toad Lane, Thwaite, NR35 2EQ
Sherwood Observatory
Near Coxmoor Golf Club, Mansfield, NG17 5LF
Sir Patrick Moore Astronomy Centre
Les Creux Country Park, St. Brelade, JE3 8LN
St Andrews Observatory
University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16
The Astronomy Centre
Bacup Road A681, Near Todmorden, OL14 7HP
The Chiltern Observatory
Woodrow High House, Amersham, HP7 0QG
The Malcolm Parry Observatory
The Long Eaton School, Nottingham, NG10 3NP
The Observatory Science Centre
Herstmonceux, Hailsham, BN27 1RN
Toothill Observatory
Toothill, Southampton, SO16 8AL
Trent Astronomical Observatory
Clifton Campus, Erasmus Darwin Buildings, Nottingham, NG11 8NF
Wilton Park Observatory
Wilton Park, Batley, WF17 0AS
Wynyard Planetarium & Observatory
Thorpe Thewles, Stockton-on-Tees, TS21 3JG