Northern Lights set to return as top stargazing spot in UK named - full list (2024)

Brits could be treated to views of the spectacular Northern Lights again in just a matter of days - and the very best places to gaze at the night in the UK have been revealed

Britain's top stargazing spot has been revealed as scientists said the Northern Lights could return to the UK soon.

People across the country spoke of their delight last weekend as the spectacular natural light show lit up the night sky thanks to a powerful solar storm. While tours to see the aurora borealis in Iceland can cost thousands of pounds, many Brits were able to get a rare glimpse of the colourful phenomenon from the comfort of their garden and take some memorable photos.

The result of a cluster of solar energy and gas hitting the Earth from the sun, anyone who was unfortunate enough to miss the Northern Lights here last time might well be in luck, as it's expected to return as soon as this weekend. To get the best view though you'll need to be in the right spot, ideally in a rural location away from any light pollution.

Greenwich Observatory astronomer Greg Brown told The Mirror this week that Brits could once again be in for a rare treat. But he did temper expectations by noting the extreme difficulty researchers have in predicting solar storms.

"Predicting the next solar storm to any accuracy is all but impossible," he said. However, there are signs of another storm approaching within the next few days, which might boost the aurorae again.

"Longer term we can use the Sun’s cycle of activity to predict general trends in solar storms. The Sun goes through a roughly 11-year cycle of changing activity. We are currently at solar maximum, when the Sun is at its most active and flares, sunspots and coronal mass ejections - the bursts that produce solar storms - are at their most common. While we remain at the Sun’s peak, the chance of a solar storm remains quite high, though G5 class storms, the type that produced Friday’s burst of aurorae, are very rare even at solar maximum."

According to a study by photography retailer Jessops, Northumberland is the number one place for stargazing and viewing the Northern Lights in the UK, thanks to its optimal remote conditions. In 2013, Northumberland National Park and most of Kielder Water and Forest Park became officially designated Dark Sky Park. The park spans 572 square miles, and 96% of it enjoys very low levels of light pollution, meaning you can observe the stars in all their glory. You can also see the Milky Way stretch across the sky on moonless nights.

Despite being just 90 minutes from the bright lights of London, South Downs National Park is also renowned for its clear, dark skies, and came second on the list. It was designated as a Dark Sky Reserve in 2016 and has since become a magnet for astronomers from all over the country. The park hosts 30 annual stargazing events and boasts 15 prime viewing locations across the region. One of the standout spots is Bignor Hill, known for being one of the darkest and highest points in the area, offering captivating views of the night sky.

Famed for its moorlands, woodlands, rivers, and coasts, Exmoor National Park is a great place to explore during the day - but at night you'll also be treated to some wonderful views, thanks to its dark skies and minimal light pollution. The best time to visit the area of west Somerset and north Devon for general stargazing is late October when the skies are at their darkest.

North York Moors National Park was designated a Dark Sky Reserve in 2020, making it another one of the best places in the country to see stars, moons, planets and perhaps even the Northern Lights. Yorkshire Dales National Park is meanwhile the largest Dark Sky Reserve in the UK.

To qualify as a Dark Sky Reserve, an area must ensure at least 67% of its properties are dark sky friendly a criteria met by 90% of all properties in the Yorkshire Dales. Others to make the top 10 include the Brecon Beacons, Cranborne Chase, Bodmin Moor, Elan Valley, and Snowdonia.

The UK’s 10 best stargazing spots

1. Northumberland Dark Sky Park
2. South Downs Dark Sky Reserve
3. Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve
4. North York Moors Dark Sky Reserve
5. Yorkshire Dales Dark Sky Reserve
6. Brecon Beacons Dark Sky Reserve
7. Cranborne Chase Dark Sky Reserve
8. Bodmin Moor Dark Sky Landscape
9. Elan Valley Dark Sky Park
10. Snowdonia Dark Sky Reserve