On 8 December the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks were designated International Dark Sky Reserves, bringing the total to seven across Britain.

Named for the exceptional quality of their nocturnal environments, Exmoor National Park was Europe's first region to receive the accolade in 2011. Cranborne Chase, the Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia and South Downs National Parks followed, with the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks now joining their ranks.

Free from air and light pollution, these newly crowned International Dark Sky Reserves deliver unforgettable views of the Milky Way, meteors, and even the Northern Lights – not to mention a blanket of sparkling stars. Beyond stargazing, these spaces also allow visitors to get back to nature and experience the magic of the great outdoors in all number of ways. This is especially true during the various Dark Skies Festivals, which celebrate the night skies and the eclectic mix of wildlife found in Britain's National Parks.

Future Dark Skies Festivals

The North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales Dark Skies Festival is scheduled for 12-28 February 2021, with a distinct focus on nature at night. A packed itinerary of events is set to provide a glimpse into the lives of the region's nocturnal creatures, while delving into how the area's dark skies impact upon their very existence. The celebrations in 2020 saw both National Parks feature their largest programmes of events since the inaugural event in 2016, with events for 2021 set to be unveiled in due course.

Another Dark Skies Festival is held in the South Downs each February too. With a stellar line up of talks, observation sessions and family-friendly activities planned, visitors can also wander the fairy-tale battlements of Arundel Castle and explore Britain's longest and deepest dry valley at Devil's Dyke within the stunning surroundings of Britain's newest National Park.

The annual October Exmoor Dark Skies Festival (22 October – 7 November 2021) offers a range of tours, activities and stargazing events, from ranger walks to safaris, for those of all ages. Covering 267 square miles, visitors can explore the vast expanse of moorland, woods and valleys, while looking out for elusive dormice among the hedgerows and listening to the bellows of passionate stags. 

A number of spots across Exmoor allow visitors to see thousands of stars with the naked eye on a clear night. Popular areas include around Holdstone Hill, where purple heather and richly-coloured bracken provide a spectacular autumnal sight, and Haddon Hill, which overlooks the shores of Wimbleball Lake. Other locations for exceptional views include Webber's Post, in Somerset, and the area around Brendon Two Gates.

Other spots for stargazing

In addition to its International Dark Sky Reserves, Britain is also home to a number of International Dark Sky Parks including Northumberland and Kielder Water and Forest Park, which provides ample opportunity to spy the stars too, as well as ospreys that call the region home. Alongside this International Dark Sky Park, there also more than 150 Dark Sky Discovery Sites across Britain to explore.

Different attractions will have varied measures in place. Visitors are encouraged to check all locations, attraction and event websites before travelling and to adhere to local guidance. For more information https://www.visitengland.com/know-before-you-go-map

For further press information please contact the VisitEngland PR team:

Louise Ferrall / Claire Keenan / Patrycja Woda

Email: vepr@visitengland.org or visit media.visitengland.com  www.visitengland.com