< dark sky directory

UK dark sky parks

List of darkest parks and places in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales), Ireland, Isle of Man and Channel lslands for stargazing, astrophotography, astrotourism, star parties, and astronomy club events. Often these are national and regional parks and forests that are either remote or "protected" against light pollution.

Also ask your local UK astronomy club for guidance as they will know the darkest places.

Dark Sky Park Country
Isle of Sark Channel Islands
Bodmin Moor International Dark Sky Park England
Cranborne-Chase England
Exmoor National Park England
Lake District National Park England
Moore's Reserve England
North York Moors England
Northumberland-Kieder Water Park England
Peak District National Park England
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park England
South Downs England
West Penwith England
Yorkshire Dales England
Antrim Coast Ireland
Ballycroy Ireland
Connemara Ireland
County Clare Ireland
County Offaly Ireland
Davagh Forest Ireland
Kerry Dark Sky Reserve Ireland
Lough Gur Ireland
Mayo Park Ireland
Rathbeggan Lakes Ireland
Sheep's Head Way Ireland
Wicklow Mountains National Park Ireland
Axnfell Forest Isle of Man
Fort Island Isle of Man
Niarbyl Isle of Man
Port Lewaigue Isle of Man
Port Soderick Brooghs Isle of Man
Smeale Coastal Area Isle of Man
Sulby Reservoir Isle of Man
The Sound Isle of Man
Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Islands
Galloway Forest Park Scotland
Isle of Coll Scotland
Moffat Dark Sky Town Scotland
North Ronaldsay Dark Sky Island Scotland
Shetland Scotland
Tomintoul and Glenlivet-Cairngorms Scotland
Brecon Beacons National Park Wales
Elan Valley Wales
Presteigne & Norton Wales
Snowdonia Wales
Ynys Enlli-Bardsey Wales


UK light pollution maps w/ Bortle

2023 nighttime satellite image of the UK from the NOAA National Geophysical Data Center.

UK nighttime satellite map

2015 light pollution map of the UK showing sky brightness at the zenith from World Atlas data. Colors correspond approximately to the Bortle scale, with pink being the brightest (most light-polluted) and dark gray being the darkest skies. Use as a guide to find the darkest sky locations near you.

UK night sky light pollution map