# UK dark sky spots by county

> Every International Dark Sky Place in the UK, sorted by county: reserves, parks, communities and sanctuaries, with tips for stargazing.

URL: https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies
Updated: 2026-10-30

The UK has more than twenty places recognised by DarkSky International for their starry skies and careful lighting. Find your nearest.

## England

- [Somerset](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies/somerset): Exmoor National Park, Cranborne Chase
- [Devon](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies/devon): Exmoor National Park
- [Cornwall](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies/cornwall): Bodmin Moor, West Penwith
- [Dorset](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies/dorset): Cranborne Chase
- [Wiltshire](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies/wiltshire): Cranborne Chase
- [Hampshire](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies/hampshire): South Downs National Park (Moore's Reserve), Cranborne Chase
- [West Sussex](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies/west-sussex): South Downs National Park (Moore's Reserve)
- [East Sussex](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies/east-sussex): South Downs National Park (Moore's Reserve)
- [Suffolk](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies/suffolk): Thorington Street
- [North Yorkshire](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies/north-yorkshire): North York Moors National Park, Yorkshire Dales National Park
- [Cumbria](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies/cumbria): Yorkshire Dales National Park
- [Northumberland](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies/northumberland): Northumberland International Dark Sky Park

## Wales

- [Powys](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies/powys): Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, Elan Valley, Presteigne and Norton
- [Gwynedd](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies/gwynedd): Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island)
- [Swansea and Gower](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies/swansea): Gower National Landscape

## Scotland

- [Dumfries and Galloway](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies/dumfries-and-galloway): Galloway Forest Park, Moffat
- [Argyll and Bute](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies/argyll-and-bute): Isle of Coll
- [Highland](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies/highland): Isle of Rum
- [Moray](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies/moray): Tomintoul and Glenlivet – Cairngorms Dark Sky Park
- [Orkney](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies/orkney): North Ronaldsay

## Northern Ireland

- [County Tyrone](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies/county-tyrone): OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory

## Types of dark sky place

- **Reserve**: a dark core with a populated area around it that protects the sky.
- **Park**: public land with exceptional skies and a programme of night-sky events.
- **Community**: a town or village that has adopted sky-friendly lighting.
- **Sanctuary**: a very remote place with the darkest, most fragile skies.

## Questions

**Where is the darkest place in the UK?**

Remote spots such as Galloway Forest Park, Northumberland and the Isle of Rum are among the darkest.

**How many dark sky places are in the UK?**

We list 22 International Dark Sky Places, checked against DarkSky International in October 2026.

## Related

- [Meteor showers](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/meteor-showers)
- [Eclipses](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/eclipses)
- [Moon calendar](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/moon-calendar)

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