Astro spots in Somerset?

[a6400]

Hi,

I’m looking for a quiet place away from street lamps in Somerset but it seems like a very hard task.

Does anyone know of any spots not too far from Weston-super-Mare?

Thanks

[Zermelo]

@John may know a few, he's North Somerset.

[Moonlit Night]

Priddy up in the Mendips? 

[M40]

We're near Brent Knoll and it's dark enough there, but parking is a bit thin on the ground. Have you looked at the top of Cheddar Gorge? 

[John]

I observe mostly from  my back garden in Portishead.

I've heard that the National Trust car park at Sand Point is quite dark. There are 2 of those, one at Middle Hope and one below Sand Point itself.

Bristol AS observatory is at Failand but it's no darker than I have it at home.

The top of the Mendip Hills would be good, I agree.

There is a car park on Bleadon Hill, beyond the golf course which has good views in most directions and is quite high up. That might be worth a visit one evening.

 

 

Edited March 6 by John

[a6400]

1 hour ago, John said:

I've heard that the National Trust car park at Sand Point is quite dark.

Went there yesterday 10pm, some cars and people, some guy told me not to park there etc. 😁

[a6400]

1 hour ago, M40 said:

We're near Brent Knoll and it's dark enough there, but parking is a bit thin on the ground. Have you looked at the top of Cheddar Gorge? 

I want to have my equipment max few meters away from the car, not sure it's possible there?

[M40]

1 hour ago, a6400 said:

I want to have my equipment max few meters away from the car, not sure it's possible there?

Now there's the challenge. Have a drive through Lympsham, I know there is parking by a sports club there and hopefully you can get in there when it's shut. 

[Gfamily]

A couple of times, when we wanted to try and catch up with some astronomy after visiting MrsG's mum in WsM General Hospital, we'd drive out to a layby on Webbington Road below Crook Peak - it's not perfect, but it has a good view to the South, and the road it's on isn't too busy. 

The hills to the north, block out a fair amount of light from the nearby towns.  

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.2914226,-2.8726762,3a,75y,145.94h,82.58t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1srV41ZsdzUioJWzWj0TgW3g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

 

[M40]

A similar spot is the Axbridge picnic area. Very high with excellent views to the south, no lights.

[a6400]

15 hours ago, M40 said:

A similar spot is the Axbridge picnic area. Very high with excellent views to the south, no lights.

Seems like the trees might be an issue there?

[M40]

19 minutes ago, a6400 said:

Seems like the trees might be an issue there?

May be worth a visit to have a look. This is a car park associated with the strawberry line, it would be worth seeing if they have other car parks that offer better all round views. All the best.