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

  • Explore the Azores, Madeira and Portugal with Fred. Olsen Cruises and Go Stargazing

    Friday 19th April 2024 from 12:00pm to Friday 3rd May 2024 12:00pm

    Liverpool Cruise Terminal, Liverpool, L3 1DL

    More info
  • Leighton Observatory Open Evening

    Wednesday 1st May 2024 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Leighton Observatory - Pex Hill, Widnes, WA8 5QW

    More info
  • Lancaster and Morecambe Astronomical Society Meeting

    Wednesday 1st May 2024 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Church of the Ascension - Torrisholme, Morecambe, LA4 6RH

    More info
  • Salford Observatory open evening

    Wednesday 1st May 2024 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Salford Observatory, Chasely Fields, M6 7DZ

    More info
  • Manchester Astronomical Society weekly meeting

    Thursday 2nd May 2024 from 18:00pm to 21:00pm

    Blackett Lecture Theatre, Manchester, M13 9PL

    More info
  • Eddington Astronomical Society meeting

    Thursday 2nd May 2024 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Kendal Museum, Kendal, LA9 6BT

    More info
  • Wincham Pickmere & District Astronomy Group meeting

    Thursday 2nd May 2024 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Wincham Community Centre, Wincham, CW9 6EP

    More info
  • Furness and South Lakeland Astronomical Society Meeting

    Friday 3rd May 2024 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Abbey Road Baptist Church - Barrow-in-Furness, Barrow-in-Furness, LA13 9BD

    More info
  • Altrincham and District Astronomical Society meeting

    Friday 3rd May 2024 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

    Timperley Village Club, Altrincham, WA15 7UT

    More info
  • Public observing at High Legh Community Observatory

    Friday 3rd May 2024 from dusk

    High Legh Community Observatory, High Legh, WA16 6NS

    More info

Stargazing locations in North West England

  • Devoke Water

    Austhwaite Brow, Holmrook, Cumbria, CA19 1TJ

    Go Stargazing Site

    More info
  • Gatesgarth Car Park

    Gatesgarth, Cockermouth , Cumbria, CA13 9XA, North West England

    Go Stargazing Site

    More info
  • Gisburn Forest Hub

    Gisburn Forest, Near Tosside, Lancashire, BB7

    Dark Sky Discovery Site

    More info
  • Godlee Observatory (closed for redevelopment)

    Sackville Street, Manchester, Lancashire, M1 3NL

    Observatory

    More info
  • Grizedale Forest

    Grizedale Forest Visitor Centre, Grizedale, Cumbria, LA22 0QJ

    Go Stargazing Site

    More info
  • Hesketh Park Observatory

    Hesketh Park, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 9LN

    Observatory

    More info
  • High Brow Crossroads

    High Row, Dockray, Cumbria, CA11 0LG

    Go Stargazing Site

    More info
  • High Legh Community Observatory

    Abbey Leys Farm, High Legh, Cheshire, WA16 6NS

    Observatory

    More info
  • Jeremiah Horrocks Observatory – Moor Park

    Blackpool Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 3AE, North West

    Astronomical Society, Observatory

    More info
  • Jodrell Bank Observatory

    University of Manchester, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 9DL

    Observatory

    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