Dark Sky Adventures
One of the most magnificent sights in all of nature is the night sky peppered with stars, distant planets and streaking meteors. Luckily for us, Snowdonia has been singled out as a world-beating place to go stargazing having been awarded in 2015 International Dark Sky Reserve status. Dark Sky Reserves are places which experience low or practically non-existent levels of light pollution, revealing all-black skies filled with dazzling stars making them the perfect destination for eager stargazers.
The Milk Way from Rhinog Fawr (@Keith O’Brien)
On a clear night in Snowdonia you can see the Milky Way, all the major constellations, nebulas (bright clouds of gas and dust) and shooting stars. The opportunities to stargaze and admire the night sky from the mountains and foothills of Snowdonia are abundant
Why not come experience our dark skies for yourself?
Tŷ Cipar, y Migneint (@Keith O’Brien)
Stargazing locations in Snowdonia Dark Sky Reserve
The map below shows places to go stargazing in Snowdonia Dark Sky Reserve, these locations have been recommended as great places to watch the night skies by Snowdonia National Park Authority.
Pick a clear, dry night and park-up in one of these wild and remote spots and escape the ‘switched-on world and enjoy a wonderful stargazing experience in the comfort of one of our vintage VW campervans.
Things to take on your stargazing trip
After a few hours under the stars you’ll quickly figure out what you need to take with you on your stargazing missions. Below are just a few essentials that we recommend taking along because it can get surprisingly chilly in the open air, even when it’s been a lovely warm day.
- You’re either going to want a reclining chair or take a blanket, yoga mat or similar to lie down on. After 5 minutes of craning your neck stood up you’ll be thankful you bought that blanket to lie down on.
- Layered clothing and an extra warm blanket
- A completed Hire Drive Proposal form
- Binoculars aren’t essential but they’re great to see in a little more detail
- A red torch to help you navigate to your perfect stargazing spot without ruining your night vision
- Snacks and a nice warm drink in a thermos
Llynnau Cregennen constellations (@Keith O’Brien)
Key Dates for 2021
It’s set to be an exciting year for stargazers: supermoons, meteor showers and planet transits.
- 22nd/23rd April: Lyrids Meteor Shower (bright fast meteors, some with trains). Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight.
- 27th April: Supermoon
- 6th/7th May: Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight.
- 26th May: Supermoon
- 21st June: Summer Solstice
- 24th June: Supermoon
- 28th/29th July: Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower (steady stream of meteors). Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight.
- 2nd August: Saturn at opposition (best time for pics, it's at its brightest)
- 12th/13th August: Perseids Meteor Shower (many bright fast meteors with trains). Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight.
- 19th August: Jupiter at opposition (best time for pics, it's brighter and bigger).
- 22nd August: Blue Moon. This rare calendar event only happens once every few years, giving rise to the term, "once in a blue moon". Blue moons occur on average once every 2.7 years.
- 7th October: Draconids Meteor Shower. Best viewing will be in the early evening from a dark location far away from city lights.
- 21st/22nd October: Orionids Meteor Shower Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight
