Stargazing in North West England

With forests, fells, moors, mountains and beaches, there are plenty of excellent dark skies in North West England, where you may see the Milky Way, shooting stars and maybe the Northern Lights!

The Forest of Bowland AONB is particularly worthy of special mention, being home to several Dark Sky Discovery Sites.

Even near the city areas of Liverpool and Manchester, you’ll find dark sky pockets such as Delamere Forest. The Lake District has incredibly dark skies too, where light pollution in some areas is virtually non-existent. Take a (red light) torch!



Stargazing events in North West England

  • Salford Observatory open evening

    Wednesday 15th May 2024 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Salford Observatory, Chasely Fields, M6 7DZ

    More info
  • Manchester Astronomical Society weekly meeting

    Thursday 16th May 2024 from 18:00pm to 21:00pm

    Blackett Lecture Theatre, Manchester, M13 9PL

    More info
  • South Cheshire Astronomical Society meeting

    Thursday 16th May 2024 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Holiday Inn Express - Crewe, Crewe, CW1 6DR

    More info
  • Southport Astronomical Society meeting

    Thursday 16th May 2024 from 19:30pm to 21:00pm

    Scarisbrick Bowling Club, Southport, PR8 6LG

    More info
  • Public observing at High Legh Community Observatory

    Friday 17th May 2024 from dusk

    High Legh Community Observatory, High Legh, WA16 6NS

    More info
  • The Astronomy Centre Public Open Evenings

    Saturday 18th May 2024 from 19:30pm to 23:00pm

    The Astronomy Centre, Near Todmorden, OL14 7HP

    More info
  • Macclesfield Astronomical Society lecture meeting

    Tuesday 21st May 2024 from 20:00pm to 21:00pm

    Goostrey Village Hall, Macclesfield, CW4 8PE

    More info
  • Leighton Observatory Open Evening

    Wednesday 22nd May 2024 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Leighton Observatory - Pex Hill, Widnes, WA8 5QW

    More info
  • Salford Observatory open evening

    Wednesday 22nd May 2024 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Salford Observatory, Chasely Fields, M6 7DZ

    More info
  • Manchester Astronomical Society weekly meeting

    Thursday 23rd May 2024 from 18:00pm to 21:00pm

    Blackett Lecture Theatre, Manchester, M13 9PL

    More info

Stargazing locations in North West England

  • Kirkstone Pass Car Park

    Pass Inn, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9LQ, North West England

    Go Stargazing Site

    More info
  • Leighton Observatory – Pex Hill

    Pex Hill Visitors Centre, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 5QW

    Astronomical Society, Observatory

    More info
  • Livia Community Woodland – Forestry England

    Pendlebury, Clifton, Lancashire, M27 8SF

    Recommended Stargazing Site

    More info
  • Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre

    Ennerdale, Cleator, Cumbria, CA23 3AX

    Dark Sky Discovery Site

    More info
  • Pilling Embankment

    Fluke Hall Lane, Pilling, Lancashire, PR3 6HP

    Aurora Viewpoint, Go Stargazing Site

    More info
  • Salford Observatory

    Chaseley Road, Chasely Fields, Lancashire, M6 7DZ

    Astronomical Society, Observatory

    More info
  • Shap Fell Bothy

    Shap, Penrith, Cumbria, LA8

    Go Stargazing Site

    More info
  • Slaidburn Visitor Car Park

    Slaidburn, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 3ES

    Dark Sky Discovery Site

    More info
  • Sutton Manor Community Woodland – Forestry England

    Sutton, Saint Helens, Merseyside, WA9 4BE

    Recommended Stargazing Site

    More info
  • Swirls Car Park

    Thirlmere, Keswick

    Go Stargazing Site

    More info

Stargazing accommodation in North West England

  • High Haume Glamping – Dalton-in-Furness

    High Haume Farm, Dalton In Furness, Cumbria, LA15 8JP

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • Jackdaw Cottage

    3 Garden Terrace, Baycliff, Cumbria, LA12 9RP

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • Lloyds Meadow Glamping

    Delamere Road, Mouldsworth, Cheshire, CH3 8BD

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • Mark Close Farmhouse – Alston

    Brampton Road, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3BD

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • Near Howe

    Mugrisdale, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0SH

    Stay & Gaze

    More info