News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

As the autumn nights roll in, now is the perfect time to take in some stargazing on one of these breaks.

1 Looking up on the Sussex Downs

Two nights from £170pp

(Image: Handout)

As the highest point in Sussex, Black Down is the perfect spot away from the light of nearby towns for breathtaking night skies – while in the day you can take in the beautiful South Downs National Park.

The world’s newest International Dark Sky Reserve, the park covers 620 sq miles ( southdowns.gov.uk ).

Stay in a yurt on the Adhurst Estate, in 100 acres of private woods. Three pubs are close by, plus a pick-your-own fruit farm, and the fishmonger visits.

THE DEAL: Two nights’ self-caterin g in November costs from £170pp.

2 Starry-eyed in Scotland

Seven nights from £83.75pp

(Image: Handout)

Britain’s first Dark Sky Park, Galloway Forest Park is a 300-mile stretch of woodland 50 miles south of Glasgow.

On a clear night you won’t need a telescope or binoculars.

Among the spots popular for star-gazing are Loch Trool and the hills and moorland of Machars ( scotland.forestry.gov.uk/forest-parks/galloway-forest-park ).

THE DEAL: River Cottage in Bladnoch is close to the Dark Skies Park. Seven nights’ self-catering in the two bedroom cottage (sleeping four) costs from £335 for November 12 arrival with cottages.com.

3 Shropshire splendour

One night from £80/family

You can view the Milky Way with the naked eye in Shropshire. See the galaxy in all its splendour at Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd – with four spots designated as Dark Sky Discovery Sites.

Get the low-down on dwarf planets Ceres and Pluto on December 3, finding out why the New Horizons mission to Pluto shocked astronomers and what the mysterious white spots on Ceres are.

Clear skies permitting, there’ll be star-gazing too. Stars in your Skies – Dwarf Planets costs £10, car parking £3.60 (nationaltrust.org.uk/carding-mill-valley-and-the-long-mynd).

THE DEAL: At nearby Affcot Lodge in Church Stretton, an en suite family room starts at £80 per night.



4 Abbey times in Yorkshire

Two nights from £85pp

Head to Fountains Abbey, near Ripon, on October 28 and York Astronomical Society will help you get a close look at the skies above the cistercian abbey.

Try your telescope skills and learn to unlock the secrets of the night sky. Stargazing tickets cost £5pp.

Entry to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden from £11.80 adults, £5.90 children, family ticket £29.50 (nationaltrust.org.uk/fountains-abbey-and-studley-royal-water-garden).

THE DEAL: Ripon Spa hotel, with its award-winning gardens, has a two-night break from £169 for two, including breakfast.

5 Neverending Northumberland

Two nights from £120pp

The Northumberland International Dark Sky Park is officially the best place in England to enjoy the heavens. In the 572 sq mile park, Europe’s largest protected night sky area, you can take in 2,000 stars at a time, including the Andromeda galaxy. The five-mile circular walk to Sycamore Gap on Hadrian’s Wall is a treat, with the famed tree from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves set against the stars (visitnorthumberland.com/darkskies).

THE DEAL: Stay at Dunstanburgh Castle Hotel in Embleton, which has dinner, bed and breakfast from £120pp for a two-night break, November 1 to 26. mirror.co.uk/traveltop10

6 Moor of Yorkshire

Two nights from £88pp

With no heavy light pollution, you can see the skies in all their glory in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park.

It’s no wonder the park proved the perfect host for this year’s first joint Dark Skies festival with the Yorkshire Dales – a second is planned in February.

There’s a real feeling of remoteness as you examine the celestial delights in an almost black sky (northyorkmoors.org.uk/discover/dark-skies).

THE DEAL: Make Mallyan Spout Hotel at nearby Whitby your base.

The town is home to a ruined gothic abbey – Bram Stoker’s inspiration for Dracula. Dinner, bed and breakfast for two sharing a twin or double room from £165 per night.

7 Cambridgeshire comfort

One night from £40pp

(Image: Handout)

Wetland nature reserve Wicken Fen is known for its sunsets – but in autumn they come a little earlier, so budding astronomers can witness the change from day to night.

Bring binoculars and spot the constellations, with wildlife for company (entry £6.65 adults, £3.25 children, £16.50 family, nationaltrust.org.uk/wicken-fen-nature-reserve).

THE DEAL: Stay in the heart of the Fens at Little Downham Anchor, set in a quaint stone building and just three miles from Oliver Cromwell’s House with B&B in a standard double or twin room from £79 per night).

8 Isle of Wight, lovely at night

Three nights from £69pp

Take a journey through space and time at the Isle of Wight’s Island Planetarium. Explore science displays and see the surface of the moon or outer space at its Astrodome theatre.

The Planetarium runs stargazing weekends close to the new moon, when the skies are at their darkest.

Novice gazers and amateur astronomers alike will get personal attention from experts.

And there’s also the Island Observatory and the Needles Space Display. £50pp (islandastronomy.co.uk).

THE DEAL: Stay in a cabin at Tom’s Eco Lodge nearby, with private wood-burning hot tub.

You can even collect fresh eggs for breakfast. Three nights’ self-catering in a cabin sleeping up to eight, from £550 in November.



9 Nottingham Clambers

One night from £113 for two

Much of Nottingham’s Clumber Park in the 18th century was open heath grazed by deer and sheep.

Today up to a third is woodland, but there are still spots where the sky is open enough to stare up at the stars or catch them reflected in the lake (car admission £7, nationaltrust.org.uk/clumber-park).

THE DEAL: If you’re seeking a bit of simple luxury, check in to the Clumber Park Hotel and Spa on the edge of the forest. In October a night in a double room starts at £113.



10 Excellent Exmoor

Three nights from £51pp

With some of the lowest light pollution in the UK, Exmoor was named Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve in 2013.

A popular spot is Wimbleball Lake, with its scenic lakeside and big sky views (www.swlakestrust.org.uk/lakes-and-facilities/the-lakes/wimbleball-lake).

THE DEAL: For a peaceful sleep after a night of star-spotting, bed down in a luxury bell tent at adults-only Exmoor Camping and Glamping. Three-night stay for up to five from £255.