Dark skies short break by public transport

tealady

Hi all
As the title suggests I would love to see a "dark sky" but I dont drive. I live in a very light polluted area.
Any suggestions for a short break within the UK (I.e no passport required) pls.
Dont mind how I travel.
A dark sky experience is on my bucket list 
TIA

saajan_12

For a very easy one, we went to a hotel & spa in Haslemere, which had a direct train from London, and hotel ~25 min walk or a cheap taxi from the station. Apparently the closest town to London that officially had 'dark sky' status, and you could definitely see some stars. I'm sure you could do much better, but perhaps a start! 

Hoenir

Where do you live? 

tealady

Hoenir said:

Where do you live? 

I'm near Wolverhampton.

basketcase

Scotland - especially Orkney/Shetland/Highlands and Islands
Wales - esp Central, which is more sparsely populated

fatbelly

You need a clear view to the south

I'd be thinking The Lizard or the Roseland peninsula

How about

https://www.shearings.com/holidays/st-mawes-and-cornish-cream-tea

daveyjp

Plenty of options, but you need to be able to drop everything and time a visit when you know the skies will be clear.

Yorkshire Dales can be reached by rail on the Settle and Carlisle line.

https://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/park-authority/looking-after/dark-sky/

Mid Wales has rail services.

Ultimate would be Corrour in the Highlands.  A station with no road access but accommodation.

https://www.corrour.co.uk/station-house/

MikeJXE

All the UK sites in this link 

https://www.darkskydiscovery.org.uk/dark-sky-discovery-sites/

I doubt you can get to any on public transport 

tealady

Thanks everyone, has given me some food for thought. Looks as if I need to plan a few days away then keep my fingers crossed.

Murphybear

tealady said:

Thanks everyone, has given me some food for thought. Looks as if I need to plan a few days away then keep my fingers crossed.

The Highlands and Islands would be fabulous but places like Orkney wouldn’t really be feasible for a short break.

I had Astronomy lectures as part of my Physics degree and still haven’t managed to get to a Dark Sky place when it’s clear enough to see anything worthwhile.  We nearly did when we were in the wilds of Northumberland but the good old British rain appeared most nights. 

twopenny

Problem is the British weather. We have one of the first designated dark skies and there's a week long events for it this week (each year) but it's solid cloud.

Following another forum this seems universal at the moment.

If you put Dark Skies near Birmingham that brings up a lot of information. I'd be inclined to take something local, maybe look for Dark Sky events in your area and see if there's some transport they can help with.

I wonder if it would be worth looking at a holiday somewhere with more clear skies?

Having a Dark Sky area within 15mins of me it's surprising how seldom you get clear sky + no moon.

Perhaps see if there are some keen sky watchers in your area that would take you on the right days.

Can guarantee that it's well worth the trouble. It used to be a normal site in town for me but no longer. However when you see what the sky is really like it's Amazing!!! There is so much in the sky at once. I've never seen a photo that does it justice.

Here's some hints and tips on what you're aiming for

https://www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk/blog/exmoor-dark-skies-festival/

August may be an oportunity. When the Persidies Meteor shower occours. More likely to be clear. Warmer!