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Wiltshire · England
Spiritual Swindon
If you live in or near Swindon, 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 Swindon's latitude (51.6°N), the heritage and folklore places nearby, and when to order so your crystals, tarot or candles arrive in time.
Avebury. Photo: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Region Wiltshire
- Dark skies Cranborne Chase 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
Avebury, about 20 minutes from Swindon, is the largest stone circle in Britain and part of the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site. Wayland's Smithy, a Neolithic long barrow, is on the Ridgeway.
Folklore and tradition
Legend says Wayland the smith will shoe your horse if you leave a coin overnight.
Visiting tips
- Avebury is free; the car park is charged.
- Wayland's Smithy is a walk along the Ridgeway.
- Please don't climb on the stones.
From the shop
Shop for Swindon
Crystals and gifts, delivered across Swindon. UK delivery £3.95, free over £40, 2–5 working days.
Sky almanac for Swindon
Dark skies and stargazing near Swindon
Dark skies and stargazing near Swindon
The nearest certified dark-sky place to Swindon is Cranborne Chase International Dark Sky Reserve, about 68 km (42 miles) away as the crow flies. The next nearest is Moore's Reserve (South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve), about 102 km (63 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 Cranborne Chase International Dark Sky Reserve website.
Sunrise, sunset and the moon in Swindon
Sunrise, sunset and the moon in Swindon
At the June solstice on 21 June 2027, the sun rises in Swindon at about 04:49 and sets at about 21:28 (BST), giving 16h 39m of daylight, 1 minutes more than in London. At the December solstice on 21 December 2026 it rises at about 08:10 and sets at about 15:00 (GMT), giving only 7h 49m. Around the March equinox (20 March 2027), sunrise is about 06:12 and sunset about 18:18. Between roughly 24 May and 22 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
Autumn and winter give Swindon its best skies: darkness comes early and the air is often clearer after a cold front.
For the Perseids in August 2027 the moon is 84% lit and sets over Swindon at about 01:19, so the best watching is after moonset and before dawn. Full darkness on 12 August starts around 23:03 at 51.6°N.
The Quadrantids peak on the night of 3–4 January 2027 with the moon 12% lit. They are short and sharp, best after midnight, and the January cold means layers and a flask are essential.
Cranborne Chase International Dark Sky Reserve is about 68 km away if you want truly dark skies; otherwise a park or field away from streetlights will still show the brighter meteors.
On 2 August 2027 a partial solar eclipse is visible across the UK, weather permitting. Never look at the sun without certified eclipse glasses.
Swindon: local questions
Where is the nearest dark sky reserve to Swindon?
The nearest certified dark-sky place is Cranborne Chase International Dark Sky Reserve, roughly 68 km away in a straight line.
What time is sunrise in Swindon on the summer solstice?
About 04:49 BST on 21 June 2027, with sunset about 21:28.
Are there ancient or sacred sites near Swindon?
Yes. Nearby places include Avebury, Wayland's Smithy. See the heritage section for details.
How much is delivery to Swindon?
UK delivery to Swindon 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.