Dark Sky Discovery Sites

4 new Dark Sky Discovery Sites in Bowland at Beacon Fell Country Park, Crook O'Lune Picnic Site, Slaidburn and Gisburn Forest Hub.

There's no better time to explore Bowland's dark skies thanks to a national initiative that has recently given Dark Sky Discovery Site status for four sites in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  Dark Sky Discovery Sites are recognised by the Dark Sky Discovery Partnership, managed by the Science and Technology Facilities Council UK Astronomy Technology Centre in Edinburgh, as places within the UK that are both dark and easily accessible, but where it is possible to observe the spectacle of the Milky Way or the constellations, such as Orion, with the naked eye.

There are several designated Dark Sky Discovery Sites within Bowland: 

Beacon Fell Country Park – Grid ref: SD 5670 4280 
Gisburn Forest Hub - Grid ref: SD 7453 5591 
Slaidburn Village Car Park - Grid ref: SD 7136 5235 
Crook o’ Lune Picnic Site - Grid ref: SD 5219 6479 

The winter months, with longer night and darker skies, tend to be the best time to stargaze, but there are events taking place throughout the year where you can observe a magical spectacle in the skies above. 

Dark Sky Friendly Places To Stay 
There are several accommodation providers located in Bowland who have become ‘Dark Sky Friendly’. This means they have been trained and are passionate about star gazing and provide facilities and information to their visitors. These include – 

Dale House Camping Barn and B&B 
Merrybent Hill B&B 
The Spread Eagle
Cobden Farm