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

  • Manchester Astronomical Society weekly meeting

    Thursday 28th March 2024 from 18:00pm to 21:00pm

    Blackett Lecture Theatre, Manchester, M13 9PL

    More info
  • Eden Valley and Penrith Astronomy Group meeting and stargazing

    Thursday 28th March 2024 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Morland and Newby Village Hall, Penrith, CA10 3AS

    More info
  • Heaton Park Astronomy Group meeting and observing

    Thursday 28th March 2024 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Heaton Park Bowls Pavilion - Prestwich, Prestwich, M25 2GT

    More info
  • Public observing at High Legh Community Observatory

    Friday 29th March 2024 from dusk

    High Legh Community Observatory, High Legh, WA16 6NS

    More info
  • Whinlatter Dark Skies Walk

    Saturday 30th March 2024 from 18:30pm to 20:30pm

    Whinlatter Forest Park - Forestry Commission, Keswick, CA12 5TW

    More info
  • The Astronomy Centre Public Open Evenings

    Saturday 30th March 2024 from 19:30pm to 23:00pm

    The Astronomy Centre, Near Todmorden, OL14 7HP

    More info
  • Hesketh Park Observatory Public Open Day

    Sunday 31st March 2024 from 10:30am to 16:30pm

    Hesketh Park Observatory, Southport, PR9 9LN

    More info
  • South Cheshire Astronomical Society club meeting & observing

    Monday 1st April 2024 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    St Peter's Community Hall, Crewe, CW1 4RD

    More info
  • Leighton Observatory Open Evening

    Wednesday 3rd April 2024 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Leighton Observatory - Pex Hill, Widnes, WA8 5QW

    More info
  • Lancaster and Morecambe Astronomical Society Meeting

    Wednesday 3rd April 2024 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

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

    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

  • Bowland Wild Boar Park

    Chipping, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 2QT

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • Broadrake Bunkbarn & Workshops

    Chapel-le-Dale, Ingleton, Lancashire, LA6 3AX, Yorkshire and The Humber

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • Brookfield Guest House – Keswick

    Penrith Road, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4LJ

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • Cambridge House Hotel – Millom

    1 Cambridge Street, Millom, Cumbria, LA18 5BD

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • Clerk Laithe Lodge

    Slaidburn Road, Newton in Bowland, Lancashire, BB7

    Stay & Gaze

    More info