Yorkshire

Lights out and look up! Awarded&nbsp;<a href="https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/things-to-do/stargazing-and-dark-skies/what-does-international-dark-sky-reserve-mean" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Dark Sky Reserve</a>&nbsp;status by&nbsp;<a href="https://darksky.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DarkSky International</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk/north-york-moors-events" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">North York Moors</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk/yorkshire-dales-events" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yorkshire Dales</a>&nbsp;National Parks are two of only 21 locations in the world to be recognised for pristine, dark skies, far from light pollution. There are few better places to look up to the heavens and marvel at the thousands of stars, constellations, planets, northern lights and nebulae that glitter above.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="844" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/01/1500-x-844_Rosedale-Milky-Way-by-Tony-Marsh.jpg-resized.jpg" alt="Dark Skies Festival Rosedale Milky Way" class="wp-image-1883" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/01/1500-x-844_Rosedale-Milky-Way-by-Tony-Marsh.jpg-resized.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/01/1500-x-844_Rosedale-Milky-Way-by-Tony-Marsh.jpg-resized-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/01/1500-x-844_Rosedale-Milky-Way-by-Tony-Marsh.jpg-resized-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/01/1500-x-844_Rosedale-Milky-Way-by-Tony-Marsh.jpg-resized-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rosedale Milky Way. Photo by Tony Marsh</figcaption></figure>



Both National Parks staged the UK’s first <a href="http://www.darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dark Skies Festival</a> in 2016 and&nbsp;its back for its 11th&nbsp;year, running&nbsp;13 Feb – 1 Mar&nbsp;with another star-studded programme of after-dark activities for all ages helping you learn how to spy sparkling clusters, distant galaxies and planets from Venus and Mercury to Uranus and Neptune.



And if you really want to make the most of the night sky and maximise your time near the parks then you can stay over in one of the dark skies friendly accommodation with special Stay and Gaze packages. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="844" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/01/1500-x-844-star-trail-dalby-forest-cClasslane-Media.jpg" alt="Star trail Dalby Forest. Photo credit Classlane Media." class="wp-image-1884" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/01/1500-x-844-star-trail-dalby-forest-cClasslane-Media.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/01/1500-x-844-star-trail-dalby-forest-cClasslane-Media-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/01/1500-x-844-star-trail-dalby-forest-cClasslane-Media-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/01/1500-x-844-star-trail-dalby-forest-cClasslane-Media-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Star trail Dalby Forest. Photo credit Classlane Media.</figcaption></figure>



Perhaps it’s partly due to all the spectacular showings of the Aurora Borealis aka The Northern Lights&nbsp;&nbsp;&#8211; including here in Yorkshire – over the last year that younger people in particular are beginning to see the light, shunning traditional nights out in favour of adventurous activities such as stargazing. And when you browse the seemingly never-ending infinity of events to celebrate the upcoming 11th&nbsp;year of the Dark Skies Festival, you can appreciate why.



The Festival’s 17-day run is officially launching over Valentine’s Day and the start of half-term, but there&#8217;s daytime, family-friendly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/whats-on/cosmic-adventures-at-stump-cross-caverns/2025-01-25/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cosmic Adventures</a>&nbsp;workshops at Stump Cross Caverns in Nidderdale every weekend and daily throughout half-term from&nbsp;25 Jan – 30 Mar&nbsp;or the&nbsp;Planets Trail and Constellations Trail at Aysgarth Falls National Park Visitors Centre with fun quizzes and brass rubbings for the kids from&nbsp;14 Feb – 2 Mar.



Here’s a selection of our must-sees on the space programme and as some are already sold out, I’d rocket on to book your place.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/02/Untitled-design-9.png" alt="Dark Skies Festival Yorkshire" class="wp-image-7009" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/02/Untitled-design-9.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/02/Untitled-design-9-300x300.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/02/Untitled-design-9-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/02/Untitled-design-9-150x150.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/02/Untitled-design-9-768x768.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/02/Untitled-design-9-500x500.png 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/02/Untitled-design-9-1100x1100.png 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Take a Tour of the Universe with space scientist and astronomy entrepreneur, Neil Phillipson, in the brand new Dark Skies Station at Danby Lodge National Park Centre.&nbsp;In an engaging and fast-paced big-screen presentation, Neil will take you on a mind-blowing journey, from our nearest neighbour planets, out to the stars and beyond –revealing the vast majesty and beauty of the galaxy as well as the incredible scale of the Universe.&nbsp;On 21 Feb



Dine, discover and gaze at The Coniston Hotel Country Estate and Spa which is offering a magical evening with professional astronomer Martin Lunn MBE, who was curator of astronomy at the Yorkshire Museum for over 20 years. After a three course dinner, take a guided tour of the winter night sky, and learn how to spot the Plough and the North Star, uncover the myths behind the constellations and see which planets, including Jupiter, are shining this season.



Get ready to boogie while you stargaze at a silent disco with electronic dance poets The Long Dead Stars as they premiere their latest work Dark Core, a developing album inspired by dark skies, outer space and the Dark Core Zone of the North York Moors National Park. The event takes place outdoors at the Nature and Star Hub at Sutton Bank National Park Centre. Free but you’ll need a ticket from Eventbrite. 1 March&nbsp;at 7.15pm&nbsp;



Stargazing with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk/north-york-moors-events/northyorkmoors/stargazing-in-dalby-forest-25-feb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Astro Dog</a>&nbsp;at the brand new observatory over at Danby Lodge National Park Centre is extra-special as Nicole and Simon are stars at showing amateur astronomers how to navigate the night sky through telescopes, binoculars and even with the naked eye. We were enthralled to see the craters of a full moon and Jupiter’s four moons as clear as day. Even when cloudy, there is the chance to sit in a pop-up planetarium and wonder at the constellations up above over&nbsp;various dates from 7pm.



Learn about the benefits of walking at night as well as the wonders of the universe, its planets and stars on a Magical Moonlight Coastal Walk at Robin Hood’s Bay, a guided 4-6 mile group walk hosted by Adventures for the Soul. Expect a truly invigorating, sensory experience with a chance to try out moon bathing on&nbsp;28 Feb.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="999" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/01/1500-x-999-Rievaulx-Abbey-cRussell_Norman-NYMNP.jpg" alt="walk under dark skies picturesque village of Helmsley to Rievaulx Abbey" class="wp-image-1887" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/01/1500-x-999-Rievaulx-Abbey-cRussell_Norman-NYMNP.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/01/1500-x-999-Rievaulx-Abbey-cRussell_Norman-NYMNP-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/01/1500-x-999-Rievaulx-Abbey-cRussell_Norman-NYMNP-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/01/1500-x-999-Rievaulx-Abbey-cRussell_Norman-NYMNP-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Join a&nbsp;<a href="https://walk-yorkshire.co.uk/products/dark-skies-festival-walks?variant=42195445776559" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cistercian guided walk</a>&nbsp;under dark skies following a seven-mile circular route linking ancient monuments from the picturesque village of Helmsley to Rievaulx Abbey, which dates back to 1131 and was the largest and richest Cistercian church in England. Along the way, your guide will point out the main constellations and teach the basics of celestial navigation. on&nbsp;20 Feb.&nbsp;



New to stargazing? Then The Terrington Stargaze in the Howardian Hills is the perfect place to start your celestial journey. Experienced astronomer Richard Darn will give a beginner’s introduction to the planets and stars including the Milky Way – practically invisible elsewhere in the UK due to light pollution – but, fingers crossed, you’ll get to see this iconic constellation with the telescopes and binoculars supplied On&nbsp;23 Feb



The George Inn, Hubberholme, a remote country pub nestled in Upper Wharfdale has combined its much loved Monday night Pie Night with the chance to explore the night sky. At it’s The Pie at Night event&nbsp;on 16 Feb&nbsp;stargazers can tuck into a warming supper of pie and peas (you don’t get more Yorkshire than that!), before stepping outside and discovering constellations and planets in a true dark sky setting under the expert guidance of Neill Sanders of GoStargazing.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thegeorge-inn.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Book now</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="800" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/02/malham-cove-yorkshire-photo-walks.jpg" alt="Stargazing Photography Workshop at Malham Cov" class="wp-image-6968" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/02/malham-cove-yorkshire-photo-walks.jpg 1200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/02/malham-cove-yorkshire-photo-walks-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/02/malham-cove-yorkshire-photo-walks-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/02/malham-cove-yorkshire-photo-walks-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></figure>



Shoot for the stars and master the wonders of nocturnal landscape and astrophotography at a Stargazing Photography Workshop at Malham Cove, one of the most iconic locations in the Yorkshire Dales National Park where you will receive group and practical one-on-one tuition. Takes place on&nbsp;16, 18 or 19 Feb&nbsp;depending on the most favourable weather.&nbsp;



Access The Dales Dark Skies accessible walks ensure the magic of the universe is available to everyone with an inclusive guided evening event at Grimwith Reservoir in the Yorkshire Dales. The easy, four mile circular route is suitable for all-terrain wheelchairs, ensuring a welcoming experience for everyone with supper afterwards on&nbsp;27 Feb. A similar walk takes place at Aysgarth Falls on&nbsp;13 March. <a href="http://www.access-the-dales.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Book now</a>. 



Perennial favourites at the Dark Skies Festival include nocturnal nature rambles; night navigation; mindfulness walks; magical moonlit meanders; mini bus tours; kayaking; mountain biking; crafting and star parties. The annual event has become so popular that there is even a fringe festival during autumn, while related activities such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncbp.co.uk/visit-us/winter-owl-evenings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winter Owl Evenings</a>&nbsp;are available at other times.



Go on, reach for the stars at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk</a>.

Northern lights: Star picks for the 11th Dark Skies Festival

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