Darksite weekend-trip recommendation ?

[Run45]

Hi,

I live in south-east London and was looking for a weekendtrip to a darksite. Does anyone have any recommendations ?

I was looking http://www.darkskydiscovery.org.ukbut cant really decide. Wive+5year old child would prob. join me for the trip.

thanx for any comments/recommendation

[Knight of Clear Skies]

We had a discussion about this a while ago, this thread might be useful.

Here's a map of Uk light pollution:

There are more dark areas up north but looking at the met office stats I believe they also get more cloud. East Cornwall through Devon to Somerset looks good (I can vouch for Bodmin Moor in Cornwall). Closer to you there also appears to be a dark zone in rural Kent, I think it's around Romney marsh, or East Anglia might be an option.

On that map I live in a yellow zone in South-East Hertfordshire. I can forget about looking south where the London light dome intrudes but from a mile out of town I can still make out the Milky Way and Andromeda on a good night. 

Hope that's some help.

[swamp thing]

I live in south London and do my dark sky observing from mid Wales. It's dark there  

Be sure to check the moon phase before booking trips though. I've read so many threads on here where people have forgotten to check.

[estwing]

yup mid wales is fantastic....

[Cjg]

Norfolk skies are superb *Disclosure* I live in Norfolk and am biased* 

Here's the link to Kelling Heath http://www.kellingheath.co.uk/

and Haw Wood (in Suffolk)  http://www.hawwoodfarm.co.uk/ 

Had a great time too at Cwmdu in Brecon though probably a little wetter that East Anglia http://www.campingbreconbeacons.com/ 

Good luck and let us know please where you end up and what the skies were like

Chris

[Run45]

thanx that gives me plenty of ideas ... will keep an eye on weather forecast & moon phase ;-)

[catman161]

I highly recommend the old art studio at tucks farm near honiton in east Devon. Beautiful little accommodation with an orchard in a lovely remote location with absolutely fantastic dark skies. Amazing variety of wildlife and unbelievable variety of bird life. Bird feeders everywhere in the grounds visible from the windows in the accommodation, so many birds to watch. Some of the best stargazing I've had and I only took the 127 Mak and 15x70's with me. M36, 37, 38 and of course M31 all naked eye objects. http://tucksfarm.co.uk

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[souls33k3r]

How about "International Space Station", plenty of dark skies mate

[CraigT82]

Plenty of campsites, lodgings and dark skies in the Suffolk Coast AONB. 2hrs drive away

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[Phil Fargaze]

Another plus for Haw Wood Farm in Suffolk, family friendly, and exceedingly dark. Great location for day time family activities too.

[Charic]

...that small dark patch to the right of Inverness is my favoured dark site? Too far to travel for a weekend away, but maybe your  5 year old may see the reindeer along the Snowy A9 this time of the Year.

I was in London recently, and there is a meeting held in Regents park ( http://www.bakerstreetastro.org/)  all security controlled access.   I would imagine  Regents park is suitable, otherwise I doubt the meetings would take place, maybe why its called Irregular?

Also depends on how far South-East of London you live, in reaching Regents Park?  

Another option to consider is better shielding  of your own eyes from any  immediate light pollution. I find this method helps from my garden observatory,  but unnecessary when away from home.

[carastro]

I am in SE London too and my local group goes to those dark areas in Kent & East Sussex on a monthly basis weather permitting.  There is a campsite we use that the owner also has B&B in Sussex (just south of Bewl water) and he also has a glamping POD on the campsite:

https://www.battenhurstandcairds.com/

Carole

[Run45]

thanx for all the comments and suggestions.

> I find this method helps from my garden observatory,  but unnecessary when away from home.

I find it not too bad to observe from my garden (given that I live in London). Just want to try/experience the difference to a propper dark-site .. just something to try out and do as a weekendtrip.

So at the moment I prob. would prefere a  B&B but camping is an option when the weather is little bit warmer.