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Dark skies in North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire holds two International Dark Sky Reserves, the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales.
North York Moors National Park
International Dark Sky Reserve, designated by DarkSky International in 2020. Heather moorland and coast from the Hambleton Hills to Whitby, designated in December 2020.
The park's Dark Sky Discovery Sites include Sutton Bank, Dalby Forest and Danby. Its Dark Skies Festival runs each February half-term. More details: https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/
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.
- 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 York, Whitby, Harrogate and Scarborough list more sacred sites, shops and dark-sky spots.
Questions answered
Where is the darkest sky in North Yorkshire?
North York Moors National Park, an International Dark Sky Reserve.
When is the best time to stargaze in North Yorkshire?
Clear, moonless nights from autumn to early spring.
Can I see the Milky Way in North Yorkshire?
Yes, from North York Moors National Park on clear moonless nights, best from late summer to autumn.
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