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Dark skies in Hampshire
East Hampshire's downs are part of the South Downs Dark Sky Reserve.
South Downs National Park (Moore's Reserve)
International Dark Sky Reserve, designated by DarkSky International in 2016. Named after the astronomer Sir Patrick Moore, who lived in Selsey, this reserve covers the National Park across Hampshire, West Sussex and East Sussex.
The park's Dark Sky Discovery Sites include Old Winchester Hill, Butser Hill, Harting Down, Iping Common, Bignor Hill, Devil's Dyke, Ditchling Beacon and Birling Gap. More details: https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/dark-night-skies/
Cranborne Chase
International Dark Sky Reserve, designated by DarkSky International in 2019. A National Landscape of chalk downland across Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire and Somerset, and one of the darkest places in southern England.
Open downland near Cranborne, Tollard Royal and Win Green has big skies. More details: https://www.cranbornechase.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.
- Time a visit for a meteor shower, 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 Southampton and Portsmouth list more sacred sites, shops and dark-sky spots.
Questions answered
Where is the darkest sky in Hampshire?
South Downs National Park (Moore's Reserve), an International Dark Sky Reserve.
When is the best time to stargaze in Hampshire?
Clear, moonless nights from autumn to early spring.
Can I see the Milky Way in Hampshire?
Yes, from South Downs National Park (Moore's Reserve) on clear moonless nights, best from late summer to autumn.
Key facts (summary)
- East Hampshire's downs are part of the South Downs Dark Sky Reserve.
- South Downs National Park (Moore's Reserve), an International Dark Sky Reserve.
- Clear, moonless nights from autumn to early spring.
- Yes, from South Downs National Park (Moore's Reserve) on clear moonless nights, best from late summer to autumn.
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