Dark sky sites in Oxfordshire?

[StuartT]

I have recently acquired a car (not having had one for years) from a member of the family, so it is now possible for me to do some observing (and AP) from somewhere other than my (deeply suboptimal) back garden.

So my question is, where would you recommend that's within about a 40 min drive from Oxford?

It seems to me that I am looking for two things; a) lower Bortularity than I currently have (approx 6); and b) a site where I won't get trampled by wild animals, accosted by unsavoury characters or chased away by shotgun wielding farmers.

Thanks  

[The Lazy Astronomer]

56 minutes ago, StuartT said:

I have recently acquired a car (not having had one for years) from a member of the family, so it is now possible for me to do some observing (and AP) from somewhere other than my (deeply suboptimal) back garden.

So my question is, where would you recommend that's within about a 40 min drive from Oxford?

It seems to me that I am looking for two things; a) lower Bortularity than I currently have (approx 6); and b) a site where I won't get trampled by wild animals, accosted by unsavoury characters or chased away by shotgun wielding farmers.

Thanks  

My first thought here is maybe try brill? Don't know if you've ever been (and I've only been there in the daytime when I used to live in the general area), but it's basically a hill with an old windmill on top of it.

There's a small car park nearby, and there are some houses not too far away as well, so there should be some (hopefully) 'savoury' people within shouting distance just in case.

It's a bortle 4 sky according to the light pollution map (which is basically as good as it seems to get in Oxfordshire), the only thing I'm not sure about is how severely (if at all) the windmill is lit up at night. 

[StuartT]

2 hours ago, The Lazy Astronomer said:

My first thought here is maybe try brill? Don't know if you've ever been (and I've only been there in the daytime when I used to live in the general area), but it's basically a hill with an old windmill on top of it.

There's a small car park nearby, and there are some houses not too far away as well, so there should be some (hopefully) 'savoury' people within shouting distance just in case.

It's a bortle 4 sky according to the light pollution map (which is basically as good as it seems to get in Oxfordshire), the only thing I'm not sure about is how severely (if at all) the windmill is lit up at night. 

Thanks for this. I know where it is, but I've not been. I'll take a look

[JimothyC]

You could try the Rollright stones up by Chipping Norton. I think it’s a designated dark sky site. 
 

Does attract a few alternative types. But I’ve not had any bother up there. 

Edited September 2, 2021 by JimothyC

[Orange Smartie]

Re the Rollrights, I believe this is the dark site used by the Chipping Norton society - I'm not a member but I've been thinking about it.  You could contact them.

How big is the kit you're going to be using? Can you walk any distance with it?

Pete

[chiltonstar]

Worth looking at the Abingdon Astro Soc website - they (ie we) use a darkish site. The Ridgeway has some fairly dark spots as well.

Chris

[StuartT]

Excellent. Thanks all.

14 hours ago, Orange Smartie said:

How big is the kit you're going to be using? Can you walk any distance with it?

Pete

Not really.. An Esprit 150ED and a EQ6R Pro. That's a lot of kilos for an old fella. So I'd pretty much need to be near the car

Edited September 2, 2021 by StuartT

[Orange Smartie]

Agree with chiltonstar that you might want to check out the ridgeway. 

This spot just outside Woodstock is dark...

The views NE, to South are good, some tall trees looking west. No guarantee about nocturnal comings and goings although I've walked around here at dusk with a bat detector and not had any hassle.

Photo is southerly view. There is a small layby here where people park to walk dogs. Maybe worth a daytime reccy?

 

 

 

[StuartT]

On 05/09/2021 at 15:38, Orange Smartie said:

Agree with chiltonstar that you might want to check out the ridgeway. 

This spot just outside Woodstock is dark...

The views NE, to South are good, some tall trees looking west. No guarantee about nocturnal comings and goings although I've walked around here at dusk with a bat detector and not had any hassle.

Photo is southerly view. There is a small layby here where people park to walk dogs. Maybe worth a daytime reccy?

 

 

 

that looks spot on! Thanks. I'll pop out there at the weekend. 

(I already treated myself to a Jackery Explorer because I reckoned I'd been a good boy)

Edited September 10, 2021 by StuartT