Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Campsites and Caravan Parks in the UK

Topic: Dark sky camping

Mik889

via mobile 30/7/2023 at 6:41pm
Location:
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 30/7/2023

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 1

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Hi,

I'm looking to do some camping out of season in a Dark sky area for star gazing, can anyone recommend and sites that are open out of season, preferably at a decent altitude?

Thanks
Mike

Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!

Fiona W

via mobile 30/7/2023 at 7:23pm
Location: Ayrshire
Outfit: Auto-Sleeper MHs

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 10/4/2007

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 5144
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	234

Site Reviews 2024:	18
Site Reviews 2023:	8
Site Reviews 2022:	12
Site Reviews 2021:	10
Site Reviews 2020:	4
Site Reviews 2019:	9
Site Reviews 2018:	18

Site Nights 2024:	37
Site Nights 2023:	25
Site Nights 2022:	32
Site Nights 2021:	25
Site Nights 2020:	20
Site Nights 2019:	28
Site Nights 2018:	30

Plenty in Galloway where there’s UK’s first Dark Sky Park. But a campsite at a “decent altitude” (whatever that is)? None that I can think of.
However, if you’re walking or cycling with a tent, the access legislation would allow responsible camping at the top of The Merrick (not quite a Munro) or any other hill in the area.

-------------
2024 = 20 sites / 41 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.

Devonatheart

via mobile 30/7/2023 at 10:31pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 28/8/2021

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 144

Site Reviews Total:	2

Site Reviews 2024:	2
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	9
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

What country/county are you thinking of?

Bernie47

30/7/2023 at 10:31pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 05/7/2006

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 5533
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	13

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Kielder Forest in Northumberland is a dark sky area and they have an observatory and a campsite.

-------------
Bernie

Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!

Dot P

via mobile 31/7/2023 at 9:17am
Location: North Wales
Outfit: Campervan

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 27/3/2008

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 402

Site Reviews Total:	725

Site Reviews 2024:	42
Site Reviews 2023:	24
Site Reviews 2022:	36
Site Reviews 2021:	16
Site Reviews 2020:	9
Site Reviews 2019:	59
Site Reviews 2018:	45

Site Nights 2024:	84
Site Nights 2023:	52
Site Nights 2022:	66
Site Nights 2021:	39
Site Nights 2020:	12
Site Nights 2019:	81
Site Nights 2018:	115

Derwent at Edmundbuyers also in Northumberlands lists as a dark skies site
https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=17074

Fiona W

via mobile 31/7/2023 at 9:18am
Location: Ayrshire
Outfit: Auto-Sleeper MHs

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 10/4/2007

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 5144
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	234

Site Reviews 2024:	18
Site Reviews 2023:	8
Site Reviews 2022:	12
Site Reviews 2021:	10
Site Reviews 2020:	4
Site Reviews 2019:	9
Site Reviews 2018:	18

Site Nights 2024:	37
Site Nights 2023:	25
Site Nights 2022:	32
Site Nights 2021:	25
Site Nights 2020:	20
Site Nights 2019:	28
Site Nights 2018:	30

Quote: Originally posted by Bernie47 on 30/7/2023
Kielder Forest in Northumberland is a dark sky area and they have an observatory and a campsite.

Maybe same problem for the OP as my Galloway suggestion though - the Kielder sites are not at a “decent altitude”.

-------------
2024 = 20 sites / 41 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.

Mrs. Bonce

via mobile 31/7/2023 at 9:34am
Location: Luton (no jokes plea
Outfit: Coachman and Hyundai

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 05/6/2006

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 12698

Site Reviews Total:	384

Site Reviews 2024:	21
Site Reviews 2023:	26
Site Reviews 2022:	37
Site Reviews 2021:	26
Site Reviews 2020:	11
Site Reviews 2019:	30
Site Reviews 2018:	31

Site Nights 2024:	102
Site Nights 2023:	119
Site Nights 2022:	154
Site Nights 2021:	140
Site Nights 2020:	63
Site Nights 2019:	132
Site Nights 2018:	134

You don't need a decent altitude, I have never seen so many stars as at Salcombe in Devon.

Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!

Hedgehugger

31/7/2023 at 10:37pm
Location: Wirral
Outfit: Aztec Mardi Gras 3

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 19/1/2010

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 794
Tent Reviews: 2

Site Reviews Total:	11

Site Reviews 2024:	1
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	1
Site Reviews 2019:	1
Site Reviews 2018:	1

Site Nights 2024:	2
Site Nights 2023:	3
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	2
Site Nights 2019:	3
Site Nights 2018:	1

Drumroamin campsite is wide and open, good dark skies - not high up, but sky views are impressive. Don't know when they open in spring but they're open until end of October. https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=6108

-------------
Always edited for sloppy typing - when I spot it!

Bernie47

31/7/2023 at 11:07pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 05/7/2006

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 5533
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	13

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 31/7/2023

Quote: Originally posted by Bernie47 on 30/7/2023
Kielder Forest in Northumberland is a dark sky area and they have an observatory and a campsite.

Maybe same problem for the OP as my Galloway suggestion though - the Kielder sites are not at a “decent altitude”.

I don't think they would build an observatory if it was not in a suitable position for observing the dark sky.

-------------
Bernie

Fiona W

via mobile 01/8/2023 at 9:59am
Location: Ayrshire
Outfit: Auto-Sleeper MHs

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 10/4/2007

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 5144
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	234

Site Reviews 2024:	18
Site Reviews 2023:	8
Site Reviews 2022:	12
Site Reviews 2021:	10
Site Reviews 2020:	4
Site Reviews 2019:	9
Site Reviews 2018:	18

Site Nights 2024:	37
Site Nights 2023:	25
Site Nights 2022:	32
Site Nights 2021:	25
Site Nights 2020:	20
Site Nights 2019:	28
Site Nights 2018:	30

I agree totally. Stargazing clubs come to a particular car park in Galloway because it’s readily accessible & gives panoramic views; it’s at the sea shore.
It would help if the OP could add a bit of detail to the need for decent height. They could pitch up at a number of lower sites in Dumfries & Galloway & climb the Merrick. (D&G has policies for no street lighting outside towns, so there’s almost no light pollution.) Or camp at the south end of Arran & climb Goat Fell.

-------------
2024 = 20 sites / 41 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.

Speaker12

01/8/2023 at 11:51pm
Location: NW England
Outfit: Tent

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 19/8/2013

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 236

Site Reviews Total:	25

Site Reviews 2024:	1
Site Reviews 2023:	3
Site Reviews 2022:	4
Site Reviews 2021:	1
Site Reviews 2020:	2
Site Reviews 2019:	3
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	3
Site Nights 2023:	11
Site Nights 2022:	13
Site Nights 2021:	3
Site Nights 2020:	8
Site Nights 2019:	15
Site Nights 2018:	0

Quote: Originally posted by Hedgehugger on 31/7/2023
Drumroamin campsite is wide and open, good dark skies - not high up, but sky views are impressive. Don't know when they open in spring but they're open until end of October. ]

Lovely site and I can confirm it's brilliant for stargazing. I don't know if it's still the case but they used to have a night sky event there in late October.

When I was there there was a meteor shower and a lightning storm way in the distance so it was pretty spectacular.

Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!

Fiona W

via mobile 03/8/2023 at 8:02am
Location: Ayrshire
Outfit: Auto-Sleeper MHs

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 10/4/2007

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 5144
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	234

Site Reviews 2024:	18
Site Reviews 2023:	8
Site Reviews 2022:	12
Site Reviews 2021:	10
Site Reviews 2020:	4
Site Reviews 2019:	9
Site Reviews 2018:	18

Site Nights 2024:	37
Site Nights 2023:	25
Site Nights 2022:	32
Site Nights 2021:	25
Site Nights 2020:	20
Site Nights 2019:	28
Site Nights 2018:	30

Quote: Originally posted by Speaker12 on 01/8/2023

Quote: Originally posted by Hedgehugger on 31/7/2023
Drumroamin campsite is wide and open, good dark skies - not high up, but sky views are impressive. Don't know when they open in spring but they're open until end of October. ]

Lovely site and I can confirm it's brilliant for stargazing. I don't know if it's still the case but they used to have a night sky event there in late October.

Indeed. The big lay-by that I mentioned is on the opposite side of the Firth to Drumroamin (yes, cracking site) at the shore near the Castle Cary caravan park; it’s off the road & screened from the vehicle lights by trees, looking west. It’s used by astronomy clubs because it’s accessible by a number of cars or a coach.

-------------
2024 = 20 sites / 41 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Campsites and Caravan Parks in the UK - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

9411 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Shop!]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Contact Us] [Tent Reviews]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder