# Dark skies in Cumbria

> Officially designated dark sky places in Cumbria: Yorkshire Dales National Park. What to see, where to park and when to go.

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

The Cumbrian side of the Yorkshire Dales is designated; the Lake District fells are also dark away from towns.

## Yorkshire Dales National Park

International Dark Sky Reserve, designated by DarkSky International in 2020. Limestone dales and fells across North Yorkshire and Cumbria, designated alongside the North York Moors.

The park's Dark Sky Discovery Sites are the National Park car parks at Buckden, Hawes and Malham, and the Tan Hill Inn. More details: https://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/

## When to go

- September to March gives long, dark nights; in June the sky never gets fully dark across much of the UK.
- Go near the new moon: see our [moon calendar](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/moon-calendar).
- Time a visit for a [meteor shower](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/meteor-showers), such as the Perseids in August or Geminids in December.

## What to bring

- Warm layers, a hat and a flask: it is colder than you think on open ground.
- A red torch to keep your night vision.
- Binoculars: 10×50s show the Moon's craters and Jupiter's moons.
- A sky map app set to red night mode.

## Be a good visitor

Park only in proper car parks, keep to paths, close gates and take your litter home. Many sites are working farmland or nature reserves.

## Nearby local guides

Our local guides for [Keswick](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/locations/keswick), [Carlisle](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/locations/carlisle) and [Lancaster](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/locations/lancaster) list more sacred sites, shops and dark-sky spots.

## Questions

**Where is the darkest sky in Cumbria?**

Yorkshire Dales National Park, an International Dark Sky Reserve.

**When is the best time to stargaze in Cumbria?**

Clear, moonless nights from autumn to early spring.

**Can I see the Milky Way in Cumbria?**

Yes, from Yorkshire Dales National Park on clear moonless nights, best from late summer to autumn.

## Related

- [All UK dark sky places](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies)
- [Meteor showers](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/meteor-showers)
- [UK stargazing calendar](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/guides/uk-stargazing-calendar-2026-27)

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