The Magic of the Yorkshire Dales Dark Sky Reserve

Discover one of the darkest and most beautiful skies in the world

The Yorkshire Dales National Park has been officially designated an International Dark Sky Reserve — a title shared by only a handful of locations across the globe.
This recognition celebrates the Dales’ exceptionally clear skies, minimal light pollution, and dedication to protecting natural darkness for future generations.

On a clear night, you can see thousands of stars, the Milky Way, planets, and even the glow of distant galaxies — all with the naked eye. It’s one of the things that makes the Yorkshire Dales such a truly special place.

A Year-Round Wonder — Especially in Winter

While stargazing is possible all year round, the winter months offer the clearest skies and longest nights, making them perfect for astronomy and quiet escapes.
At Ashes Farm, our guests often enjoy breathtaking views of:

Orion’s Belt sparkling above the Ribblehead Viaduct
The Pleiades (Seven Sisters) glitter in the winter sky
The Milky Way stretches across the horizon

Whether you’re a keen astrophotographer or simply love the peaceful beauty of the night, there’s nothing quite like stepping outside on a frosty evening and seeing the Dales illuminated by stars.

Stay Beneath the Stars

As a Dark Skies Friendly accommodation, Ashes Farm is ideally placed for exploring this incredible International Dark Sky Reserve.
Enjoy a warm, welcoming stay in one of our hand-built lodges or our holiday cottage, which will give you the flexibility to discover the simple joy of looking up.

Combine your stargazing with scenic daytime walks, local heritage, and hearty meals by the fire — the perfect recipe for a memorable Yorkshire Dales break.

Book your Dark Skies getaway today and experience one of the most awe-inspiring night skies on Earth.

For the latest Dark Skies events, stargazing guides and observing tips, we recommend visiting the Go Stargazing website. It’s a brilliant resource for event listings, seasonal sky guides, and practical advice to help you make the most of your Dark Skies getaway at Ashes Farm

Ribblehead Viaduct in the Yorkshire Dales at night by Andy Ward

Ashes Farm's Stargazing Hamper

Star Gazing Hampers

Available to use free on pre-order

Two fleece lap blankets,
Waterproof picnic blanket,
Two hot water bottles,
Two thermo cups,
A red torch,
Binoculars
Star-gazing book and information.

Ashes Farm's Stargazing Checklist

Clothing

Be appropriately dressed, wear layers of clothing and don't forget to wear gloves and a hat, especially one that covers your ears in the Spring and Autumn months.

Torches

Take a red torch, this will avoid the issues of losing your dark-adapted vision.

Refreshments

Take a flask of hot Tea, Coffee or Hot Chocolate.

Equipment

Please bring with you :-

Binoculars

Telescope (optional)

Stargazing Book

Planisphere (star wheel)

Fleece Blanket

We have a collection of books that can be borrowed.

Phone apps

Bearing in mind the caveat that phones can adversely affect your night vision, they are a fantastic way of learning your way around the nighttime skies. There are now many mobile phone apps that can present a real-time view of the night sky – many use the phone’s GPS, compass and built-in inclinometer to mirror the way the device is pointing giving you access to all sorts of information about the object your phone is pointed at.