Stargazing
Discover the night sky at our remote Dark Sky Reserve location
Located in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales and the Dark Sky Reserve, our isolated and rural setting means you can gaze up at the stars and enjoy the true wonder of the night sky without the interference of light pollution.
Whether you are a stargazing enthusiast or a first-timer who has never had the chance to discover our dark skies, take the opportunity to lie down in our hay meadow after dusk and enjoy the tranquility of the natural world around you and the wonder of the skies above you.
As an official Dark Sky Friendly Business of the Yorkshire Dales Dark Sky Reserve, book your stay now and discover the wonder of the dark skies from our corner of the world.
Did you know?
The Dales has some of the nation’s starriest skies and is the biggest Dark Sky Reserve in the UK.
We see thousands of stars overhead compared with a handful from towns and cities.
Glimpse the Milky Way in all its glory, along with sparkling star clusters and even the elusive Northern Lights.
Our Dark Skies are also good for nocturnal wildlife like owls and moths.
Our Top Tips for a Successful Stargazing Experience
It takes 20 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the night sky so use this time to enjoy the sounds of the Nethergill nightlife - owls hooting, hedgehogs rustling, the rustle of wind in the trees or the gentle bubbling of our many streams.
Apps: Download one of the many free stargazing apps (such as Star Walk 2, SkyView Lite, SkySafari, Star Chart) to provide you a real life map of the sky at night.
Binoculars: they can be 25-50 times more powerful than the naked eye.
Comfy seat, blanket or bean bag.
Star, moon and planet charts: print this PDF guide to Stargazing in the Yorkshire Dales National Park .
Red light torch: keep your eyes in vision mode. We have torches available on request.
Warm clothing: even in the summer, the temperature plummets at night.
Finally, bring bucketfuls of patience. Waiting for wildlife, for clouds to clear or simply for your eyes to get used to the dark takes patience. Learn to savor and love the slow unfolding of the experience.