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Spiritual Torquay
If you live in or near Torquay, 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 Torquay's latitude (50.5°N), the heritage and folklore places nearby, and when to order so your crystals, tarot or candles arrive in time.
Kents Cavern. Photo: Jcg2006, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Region Devon
- Dark skies Bodmin Moor Dark Sky Landscape
- 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
Kents Cavern has evidence of people up to 40,000 years ago, including one of the oldest modern human fossils found in north-west Europe. Dartmoor's stone rows and tors are nearby.
Visiting tips
- Kents Cavern tours need booking.
- Dartmoor is about 30 minutes away.
- Check the weather before going onto Dartmoor.
From the shop
Shop for Torquay
Crystals and gifts, delivered across Torbay. UK delivery £3.95, free over £40, 2–5 working days.
Sky almanac for Torquay
Dark skies and stargazing near Torquay
Dark skies and stargazing near Torquay
The nearest certified dark-sky place to Torquay is Bodmin Moor Dark Sky Landscape, about 77 km (48 miles) away as the crow flies. The next nearest is Exmoor International Dark Sky Reserve, about 77 km (48 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 Bodmin Moor Dark Sky Landscape website.
Sunrise, sunset and the moon in Torquay
Sunrise, sunset and the moon in Torquay
At the June solstice on 21 June 2027, the sun rises in Torquay at about 05:02 and sets at about 21:29 (BST), giving 16h 27m of daylight, 11 minutes less than in London. At the December solstice on 21 December 2026 it rises at about 08:12 and sets at about 16:12 (GMT), giving only 8h 0m. Around the March equinox (20 March 2027), sunrise is about 06:19 and sunset about 18:25. Between roughly 30 May and 15 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
Most of the good stargazing near Torquay happens between October and March, when you do not have to stay up late for darkness.
For the Perseids in August 2027 the moon is 84% lit and sets over Torquay at about 01:34, so the best watching is after moonset and before dawn. Full darkness on 12 August starts around 23:00 at 50.5°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.
Bodmin Moor Dark Sky Landscape is about 77 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.
Torquay: local questions
Where is the nearest dark sky reserve to Torquay?
The nearest certified dark-sky place is Bodmin Moor Dark Sky Landscape, roughly 77 km away in a straight line.
What time is sunrise in Torquay on the summer solstice?
About 05:02 BST on 21 June 2027, with sunset about 21:29.
Are there ancient or sacred sites near Torquay?
Yes. Nearby places include Kents Cavern, Dartmoor stone rows. See the heritage section for details.
How much is delivery to Torquay?
UK delivery to Torquay 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.