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The UK now has a number of Dark Sky
sites listed that give clear views or
the stars and planets for Astronomy.
There are 4 public observatories, all
situated in Scotland and a large number
of observatories in England, some of
which can now be visited.
Scotland
The UK's first Dark Skies Park is in
the Galloway Forest southwest scotland.
This is a huge scenic forest park with
a number of places to set up your
telescope for some of the best views
from the UK. The website gives
information on places to set up and
events that are held there. Website:
forestry.gov.uk . Map .
Reviews.
Click on the Postcodes for Maps and
Reviews.
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Galloway Astronomy
Centre southwest Scotland 20
miles south of Newton Stewart. If you
are just starting in astronomy, a visit
to the Centre can give a great start,
particularly if you take one of our
courses or try out our demonstration
telescopes. Experience our friendly,
informal hospitality and truly dark
skies. Tel 01988 500 594.
Website . Area
Info . DG8
8NE
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Scottish Dark Sky
Observatory by Loch Doon in
Ayrshire southwest Scotland. Opened in
October 2012 with the night skies here
some of the best with countless stars,
the Milky Way, shooting stars, planets,
comets, and the Northern Lights are
visible. Open to everyone. Phone 01292
551 118.
Website . Area
Info . KA6
7PZ
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Mills
Observatory in Balgay Park,
Dundee east central Scotland. The only
full time public astronomical
observatory in the UK built in 1935.
The dome houses a Victorian refracting
telescope and small planetarium.
Admission is FREE to the Observatory
and displays with a small charge for
group visits and public Planetarium
Shows. Tel 01382 435 967.
Web .
Wiki .
Area
Info . DD2
2UB
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Royal
Observatory Edinburgh on
Blackford Hill. The Observatory was
moved from its original building on
Calton Hill in the city centre to
Blackford Hill in 1896, on the city
south side where the skies were darker.
The observatory welcomes group and
school bookings. Public Astronomy
Evenings are held weekly over the
winter months. Tel 0131 668 8100.
Website .
Wiki .
Area Info .
EH9
3HJ
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Coats
Observatory Paisley by Glasgow.
Operated by the Paisley Philosophical
Institution with their first telescope
being a five inch refractor. A ten inch
refracting telescope was added in 1898.
During the winter months, the
observatory is open for telescope
viewing, depending on the weather. Free
with clear nights the telescope is
trained on the moon, planets and other
interesting sights. Tel 0300 300
1210.
Wiki .
Area Info . PA1
2DE
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Airdrie Public
Observatory Airdrie by Glasgow.
This Observatory was installed on the
roof of the Airdrie Public Library in
1896. This is the smallest of four
public observatories operating in the
UK with a number of smaller telescopes
that can be used at the observatory or
at "dark sky" sites for observing
sessions. Visits by appointment. Tel
01236 758 070.
Website
. Wiki .
ML6
0AG
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England Observatories that can be
visited
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The Godlee
Observatory Manchester. An old
astronomical observatory in the centre
of Manchester, in the University of
Manchester's Sackville Street building.
The observatory is run by the
Manchester Astronomical Society with
visitors welcome at the public lectures
where they can use the equipment a few
times to find out if they want to join
the society. Tel 0161 306 4977.
Wiki .
Area
Info . M13
9PL
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Hoober
Observatory by Wentworth, South
Yorkshire. J A Jones Hoober Observatory
is a privately owned observatory
operated by Mexborough & Swinton
Astronomical Society, open to the
public for evening viewing sessions
during the winter months, for Solar
observing on Sunday afternoons during
summer, and astronomical events such as
meteor showers or lunar eclipses.
Website . Wiki .
Area
Info . S62
7SH
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Kielder
Observatory by Northumberland
National Park, northeast England.
Northumberlands Number 1 visitor
attraction with universal splendours to
all, from observing Jupiter to Uranus,
gas clouds and quantum theory. The
website lists events you may like to
come along to see. Tel 07805 638
469.
Web .
Wiki .
Area
Info . NE48
1ER
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Lockyer Observatory
and Planetarium by Sidmouth,
East Devon. The Norman Lockyer
Observatory and Planetarium has a
public optical observatory. The
facility has been operated by the East
Devon District Council since 1988. A
convention center for lectures and
academic conferences was added in 2005.
Tel 01395 579 941.
Web .
Wiki .
Area
Info . EX10
0NY
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Sherwood
Observatory by Mansfield,
Notinghamshire. An amateur astronomical
observatory operated by the Mansfield
and Sutton Astronomical Society with
the main dome housing a 0.61 m
Newtonian Reflecting telescope. The
club holds society meetings and public
open evenings. Tel 01623 552 276.
Web .
Wiki .
Area
Info . NG17
5LF
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University of
London Observatory Mill Hill,
London. An astronomical teaching
observatory at the University College
London with free public open evenings,
normally fortnightly on Fridays during
term times. Visitors undergo a short
introductory lecture then a full tour
of the telescopes and facilities. Tel
02035 495 807.
Web .
Wiki .
Area
Info . NW7
2QS
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