Eryri named as best place in Britain for stargazing
Research by Planet Cruise was carried out to help people interested in seeing the Perseid meteor shower, active until August 24.
A peak of 60 meteors per hour expected on Monday, August 12.
Ranked second-best spot in the UK for stargazing, Wasdale in Cumbria is home to Scafell Pike, England's highest peak.
It boasts zero light pollution and an elevation of 351 metres, making it an ideal location for observing the night sky.
The valleys and peaks of Wasdale offer unlimited opportunities for star enthusiasts.
Other UK spots in the top 10 best locations for astro-tourism include Derwentwater in Cumbria, the North York Moors, the Yorkshire Dales, the Shetland Islands, Black Down in West Sussex, the Cambrian Mountains, Carding Mill Valley, and the Brecon Beacons.
According to the study, there is a growing interest in astronomical events and astro-tourism, largely driven by several celestial phenomena that have brightened our skies recently, including a solar eclipse and the northern lights.
This has led to a 53 per cent increase in travellers seeking destinations to experience the Aurora Borealis, and almost a third planning to visit dark sky reserves this year.
READ MORE:
Llandudno named one of UK's 'best revitalised resorts' and luxury hotel reaps praise
North Wales Cricket League - Premier Division round-up
On a global scale, Interlaken in Switzerland takes the number one spot for astro-tourism, thanks to its high elevation of 3,401 metres and low light pollution.
The area is popular for its visible Milky Way and is also a favourite for winter sports and outdoor activities.
Reykjavik in Iceland comes second worldwide due to its high latitude, offering some of the best opportunities to witness the Northern Lights.
Despite some light pollution in the city, excursions to darker areas present spectacular Aurora Borealis views, with more than 41,000 Instagram posts capturing its magical displays.
For those interested in more information on the best locations for astro-tourism, please visit Planet Cruise's website.
For more information, visit their website at www.planetcruise.com.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish spot named one of Europe's best for stargazing
These were named alongside places across the continent, including the Dark Sky Reserve in County Kerry and Aenos National Park in Greece. Why Glencoe is one of the best places in Europe for stargazing ahead of the Perseids peak 🌠 The Perseid meteor shower peaks overnight on 12 August! However, the almost-full Moon will unfortunately drown out a lot of the fainter meteors. Learn more, including when and where to see them, here: 📷 Meteor Shower Over the Lighthouse © Yoshiki Abe — Royal Museums Greenwich (@RMGreenwich) August 7, 2025 The Scottish village of Glencoe was named the eighth best place in the whole of Europe for stargazing by Winstons Beds. READ MORE: The reason why this 'bizarre' Scottish structure is shaped like a pineapple Explaining why it was rated so highly, Time Out magazine said that it is home to a dark sky area that is pretty far from the nearest cities. READ MORE: Scottish airport vows improvements for visitor terminal following complaints Situated in the West Highlands, it also has designated stargazing spots, making it ideal for what has been dubbed "noctotourism". The village of Glencoe has long been a popular place for travellers thanks to its position between the "towering mountains" of Glen Coe, according to Visit Scotland. These were formed over millennia by shifting glaciers and volcanic eruptions. The village is also next to the banks of Loch Leven and has been called the "perfect base" for exploring the Lochaber area, which is also known as the Outdoor Capital of the UK. When will the Perseid meteor shower peak in Scotland? Royal Museums Greenwich has said that the Perseid meteor shower will peak tonight (Tuesday, August 12). The shower, which will be visible until August 24, is said to be "one of the most dramatic things to see in the night sky between July and August". READ MORE: Inside the abandoned 'fairytale' castle in Scotland that has been 'forgotten' This stunning sight is caused when debris from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle slams into the Earth, creating a fiery display. The average speed for one of these meteors is around 36 miles per second.
The National
a day ago
- The National
Scottish spots named one of Europe's best for stargazing
Only two places in the UK were highlighted, with Glencoe and Northumberland National Park being featured in the ranking. These were named alongside places across the continent, including the Dark Sky Reserve in County Kerry and Aenos National Park in Greece. Why Glencoe is one of the best places in Europe for stargazing ahead of the Perseids peak 🌠 The Perseid meteor shower peaks overnight on 12 August! However, the almost-full Moon will unfortunately drown out a lot of the fainter meteors. Learn more, including when and where to see them, here: 📷 Meteor Shower Over the Lighthouse © Yoshiki Abe — Royal Museums Greenwich (@RMGreenwich) August 7, 2025 The Scottish village of Glencoe was named the eighth best place in the whole of Europe for stargazing by Winstons Beds. Explaining why it was rated so highly, Time Out magazine said that it is home to a dark sky area that is pretty far from the nearest cities. Situated in the West Highlands, it also has designated stargazing spots, making it ideal for what has been dubbed "noctotourism". The village of Glencoe has long been a popular place for travellers thanks to its position between the "towering mountains" of Glen Coe, according to Visit Scotland. These were formed over millennia by shifting glaciers and volcanic eruptions. The village is also next to the banks of Loch Leven and has been called the "perfect base" for exploring the Lochaber area, which is also known as the Outdoor Capital of the UK. Recommended Reading: When will the Perseid meteor shower peak in Scotland? Royal Museums Greenwich has said that the Perseid meteor shower will peak tonight (Tuesday, August 12). The shower, which will be visible until August 24, is said to be "one of the most dramatic things to see in the night sky between July and August". This stunning sight is caused when debris from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle slams into the Earth, creating a fiery display. The average speed for one of these meteors is around 36 miles per second.
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Eryri named as best place in Britain for stargazing
The area is said to offer 'breathtaking views of the Milky Way, constellations, and even meteor showers,' with its high elevation of 700 metres and minimal light pollution. Research by Planet Cruise was carried out to help people interested in seeing the Perseid meteor shower, active until August 24. A peak of 60 meteors per hour expected on Monday, August 12. Ranked second-best spot in the UK for stargazing, Wasdale in Cumbria is home to Scafell Pike, England's highest peak. It boasts zero light pollution and an elevation of 351 metres, making it an ideal location for observing the night sky. The valleys and peaks of Wasdale offer unlimited opportunities for star enthusiasts. Other UK spots in the top 10 best locations for astro-tourism include Derwentwater in Cumbria, the North York Moors, the Yorkshire Dales, the Shetland Islands, Black Down in West Sussex, the Cambrian Mountains, Carding Mill Valley, and the Brecon Beacons. According to the study, there is a growing interest in astronomical events and astro-tourism, largely driven by several celestial phenomena that have brightened our skies recently, including a solar eclipse and the northern lights. This has led to a 53 per cent increase in travellers seeking destinations to experience the Aurora Borealis, and almost a third planning to visit dark sky reserves this year. READ MORE: Llandudno named one of UK's 'best revitalised resorts' and luxury hotel reaps praise North Wales Cricket League - Premier Division round-up On a global scale, Interlaken in Switzerland takes the number one spot for astro-tourism, thanks to its high elevation of 3,401 metres and low light pollution. The area is popular for its visible Milky Way and is also a favourite for winter sports and outdoor activities. Reykjavik in Iceland comes second worldwide due to its high latitude, offering some of the best opportunities to witness the Northern Lights. Despite some light pollution in the city, excursions to darker areas present spectacular Aurora Borealis views, with more than 41,000 Instagram posts capturing its magical displays. For those interested in more information on the best locations for astro-tourism, please visit Planet Cruise's website. For more information, visit their website at
