THE UK might not be graced with Northern Lights as frequently as countries further north, but that doesn’t mean stargazers can’t witness epic displays.
There are tons of spots across the UK where you can see the Milky Way, and shooting stars from a double meteor shower, this month.
But The Sun has narrowed these down to just 10 locations.
They’re not all rural scenes, either.
There are even some areas in and around London where amateur astronomers are able to catch the Milky Way, also known as the ‘Great Rift’, and meteor showers.
Beyond being a beautiful part of the country, the Yorkshire Dales National Park is part of the dark skies friendly scheme, which encourages local accommodation providers to host stargazers.
The Lake District, a popular holiday destination, flaunts mountain terrain and lakeside views.
However, it also benefits from low levels of light pollution and therefore makes an great destination to see the Milky Way and shooting stars – as long as the night is clear.
Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve, the first Dark Sky Reserve in Europe, is mostly free from light pollution.
Some say it has the darkest skies in the country, which is perfect for catching the cosmic swirl of the Milky Way.
Although it’s important to remember how the Moon influences the brightness of the sky – it’s best to go stargazing when the Moon is in crescent.
The Park also has a number of campsites and accommodations that are Dark Sky Friendly, so you can witness shoot stars from the comfort of your camp.
The Snowdonia National Park, home to the highest peak in Wales, covers roughly 18 per cent of the country’s land area.
So it’s safe to say there is minimal light pollution, and as a result, has some of the best stargazing spots in the UK.
There are also plenty of stargazer-friendly places to stay.
The Cairngorms National Park in Scotland was awarded “Gold Tier” status by the International Dark Sky Association in 2018.
This was given in recognition of the Park’s efforts to reduce light pollution and maintain dark skies for astronomers.
The Crayford Manor Astronomical Society, in Dartford, just outside of London, is a great place to catch some of Delta Aquariid and Alpha Capricornid meteor showers that are passing Earth this month.
The society meets every Thursday at the Dick Chambers Sutton-at-Hone Observatory from 7.45pm to 9.30pm.
It’s important to note that you must email the society first to confirm your attendance.
Hampstead Heath, one of the highest points in London, is also home to one of the biggest parks in the capital.
This means the area can be a good one to escape some of the city’s light pollution.
It’s also home to Hampstead Observatory, which is open to the public every Friday and Saturday night from mid-September to mid-April – depending on the weather.
Another popular viewing point is Primrose Hill which, due to its large size, can also protect stargazers from light pollution.
Londoners may be able to catch up to 25 shooting stars per hour this month as the Delta Aquariid and Alpha Capricornids flyby in August.
Blythe Hill Fields is another top spot for stargazing, according to GoStargazing and DarkSkyLondon.
Avid stargazers reckon the viewpoint is high enough to avoid the worst of London’s light pollution.
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