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Northamptonshire · England
Spiritual Northampton
If you live in or near Northampton, this page brings the night sky, the old sites and the seasons together in one place. It covers where to find properly dark skies, what the sun and moon are doing across the year at Northampton's latitude (52.2°N), the heritage and folklore places nearby, and when to order so your crystals, tarot or candles arrive in time.
Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Photo: Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Region Northamptonshire
- Dark skies Moore's Reserve (South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve)
- Delivery UK delivery £3.95, free over £40, 2–5 working days
Places to visit
Real photographs, with directions. Tap a map link to open the exact spot.
History, folklore and tips
The history
Northampton's Church of the Holy Sepulchre, founded around 1100 after the First Crusade, is one of only four round medieval churches still in use in England. The Eleanor Cross at Hardingstone is one of three surviving crosses Edward I raised in 1291–94 where Queen Eleanor's funeral procession rested.
Visiting tips
- The round church opens on set days; check before visiting.
- The Eleanor Cross is beside the London Road south of the town.
- Salcey Forest has dark woodland skies.
From the shop
Shop for Northampton
Candles and gifts, delivered across Northampton. UK delivery £3.95, free over £40, 2–5 working days.
Sky almanac for Northampton
Dark skies and stargazing near Northampton
Dark skies and stargazing near Northampton
The nearest certified dark-sky place to Northampton is Moore's Reserve (South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve), about 149 km (93 miles) away as the crow flies. The next nearest is Cranborne Chase International Dark Sky Reserve, about 162 km (101 miles) away. The best nights are clear, moonless ones around a new moon. The next new moons are on 9 November, 9 December, 7 January, 6 February. Find event dates on the Moore's Reserve website.
Sunrise, sunset and the moon in Northampton
Sunrise, sunset and the moon in Northampton
At the June solstice on 21 June 2027, the sun rises in Northampton at about 04:41 and sets at about 21:28 (BST), giving 16h 46m of daylight, 8 minutes more than in London. At the December solstice on 21 December 2026 it rises at about 08:10 and sets at about 15:53 (GMT), giving only 7h 42m. Around the March equinox (20 March 2027), sunrise is about 06:09 and sunset about 18:15. Between roughly 20 May and 25 July, the sun never sinks far enough below the horizon for full astronomical darkness, so the faintest stars and the Milky Way are hard to see. In folk tradition the full moon marks the month. The next full moons fall on 24 November, 24 December, 22 January, 20 February, 22 March. Times are calculated (NOAA formulas) and approximate.
Best times of year
Best times of year
If you only plan a few nights a year from Northampton, choose clear, moonless nights in the colder months.
On the Geminid peak night of 13–14 December 2026 the sky over Northampton is fully dark from about 17:56, and the moon is only 21% lit, so it is a very good year for them. The Geminids are the richest shower of the year and the radiant is up almost all night.
For the Perseids in August 2027 the moon is 84% lit and sets over Northampton at about 01:10, so the best watching is after moonset and before dawn. Full darkness on 12 August starts around 23:07 at 52.2°N.
Give your eyes 20 minutes to adjust and keep phone screens dim. The nearest certified dark site is Moore's Reserve (South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve), about 149 km from Northampton.
On 2 August 2027 a partial solar eclipse is visible across the UK, weather permitting. Never look at the sun without certified eclipse glasses.
Northampton: local questions
Where is the nearest dark sky reserve to Northampton?
The nearest certified dark-sky place is Moore's Reserve (South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve), roughly 149 km away in a straight line.
What time is sunrise in Northampton on the summer solstice?
About 04:41 BST on 21 June 2027, with sunset about 21:28.
Are there ancient or sacred sites near Northampton?
Yes. Nearby places include Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Eleanor cross, Hardingstone. See the heritage section for details.
How much is delivery to Northampton?
UK delivery to Northampton is £3.95 and free on orders over £40. Most orders arrive within 2–5 working days.
Photographs are from Wikimedia Commons under the licences shown, resized and converted for the web. Folklore is described as tradition. Starseed UK makes no health claims for any product.