dark sites around Derbysire

[red dwalf]

Hi all,

anyone know of any dark or darkish sites around the Derbyshire area, we are thinking of heading somewhere that might give us a little more of an advantage other than the suburbs,

cheers Rob

[Doc]

Myself and Rob are out to do a rece on Sunday so anyone know of ny darker sites?

[Rusty Strings]

Middleton Top near Wirksworth is believed to be good, the White Peak Astronomical Observing Group use it I think

John

[JohnC]

I use the area around Longnor and Sheen alot.

I will look at the map and send you some ideas before the end of the week.

I am in the camping and caravan club and regularly use the small site at Hope cottage farm nr Longnor.

Always dark and very quiet. I am there this weekend and will ask the owner if she is willing to let casual use of the field for Astro use.

Stanage edge is ok with some quiet out of the way carparks. I have also used the bottom of Mam Tor carpark and also Treak cliff carpark.

[JohnC]

Couple pics of the Longnor site.

[red dwalf]

looks great chaps, thanks keep them coming, i thought north derbyshire would have some good sites here and there.

Rob

[ollypenrice]

I was in Derbyshire till coming to France. Middleton Top (or rather Hopton Cottage a mile or so north) is not bad - that's WPAOG's place - but there are spots on the High Peak Trail further up that are better. I can't remember its name but there is a place north of Wirksworth where there's a good flat unlit carpark at a point where the road does a little dogleg and crosses the trail. It should jump at you on the map, I think.

There may be some good camping barns for winter observing, too.

Trouble is, it was never blooming well clear!

Olly

[red dwalf]

thanks olly, just looked at your web site yesterday, looks a nice place to be, we were south east britanny last year for our hols ( forget the exact name at the moment as old age setting in ) and right in the sticks, the night sky was amazing, but didn`t have room to take the scope, so just watch shooting stars and satalites all night long.

[Doc]

I was in Derbyshire till coming to France. Middleton Top (or rather Hopton Cottage a mile or so north) is not bad - that's WPAOG's place - but there are spots on the High Peak Trail further up that are better. I can't remember its name but there is a place north of Wirksworth where there's a good flat unlit carpark at a point where the road does a little dogleg and crosses the trail. It should jump at you on the map, I think.

There may be some good camping barns for winter observing, too.

Trouble is, it was never blooming well clear!

Olly

Thanks guys some great ideas.

Olly have been looking at google maps but can't find that car park north of Wirksworth. How far is it past wirksworth?

[steve_bham]

I do a bit of climbing at stanage edge, nice dark sky's and if you want to stop over there is a national trust camp site within walking distance.

[Ibbo!]

do you mean near black rock

where the b 5035 and 5036 meet

wish I could do a screen shot

steve

[ollypenrice]

Hi,

I have looked for my Derbyshire maps but can't find them and the Google one is hopless. However, the place I mean must be about half way, or a bit less, up the trail to Parlsey Hey. I can't believe I've forgotten so much, especially since as a racing cyclist I was knocking out three hundred miles a week up there at times!

A tiny road does a little zig zag to cross the trail and I believe a more subtstantial road goes under the trail about 100 metres north of the zigzag. You would easily see it by following the trail north on an OS map. Do tell me if you find it cos its driving me nuts!!!

Olly