REVEALED: The UK’s Best Dark Sky Destinations for the August Solar Eclipse
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REVEALED: The UK’s Best Dark Sky Destinations for the August Solar Eclipse
Interest in the skies is soaring ahead of a rare astronomical double bill on Wednesday 12th August, when a partial solar eclipse will be followed by the peak of the Perseid meteor shower later that night. Google searches for “solar eclipse” have risen by 300% in the past week, while searches for “UK dark sky map” have increased by 120% in the past month.
The surge in interest is being reflected in staycation bookings too, with 107,000 holidaymakers set to be on a Pitchup.com holiday between 7th and 14th August. Bookings for arrivals between 7th and 12th August are also up 9% compared with the same period last year, suggesting more people are heading outdoors as the celestial events approach..
With the eclipse visible across the UK during the evening and the Perseids expected to peak under dark, near-new-moon skies overnight, the 12th August is set to be one of the year’s most exciting dates for stargazers. To help travellers find the clearest possible view, Pitchup.com has revealed the UK’s best dark sky destinations for the occasion, ranked by their forecast average cloud cover on Wednesday 12 August.
The Dark Sky destinations forecast to have the clearest views in the UK
With lower cloud cover offering a better chance of seeing the spectacle, Pitchup.com analysed the forecast average cloud cover across a 12-hour viewing window on 12 August, to identify where skywatchers could have the clearest views.**
Galloway Forest Park, Scotland – 53% Average Cloud Cover 12th August
West Penwith, England – 56% Average Cloud Cover 12th August
Moffat, Scotland – 59% Average Cloud Cover 12th August
Presteigne & Norton Dark Sky Community, Wales – 61% Average Cloud Cover 12th August
Bodmin Moor Dark Sky Landscape, England – 65% Average Cloud Cover 12th August
OM Dark Sky Park & Observatory, Northern Ireland – 66% Average Cloud Cover 12th August
Tomintoul and Glenlivet – Cairngorms, Scotland – 66% Average Cloud Cover 12th August
Ynys Enlli – Bardsey Island, Wales – 68% Average Cloud Cover 12th August
Gower National Landscape, Wales – 70% Average Cloud Cover 12th August
Moore's Reserve, England – 74% Average Cloud Cover 12th August
Yorkshire Dales National Park, England – 75% Average Cloud Cover 12th August
North York Moors National Park, England – 77% Average Cloud Cover 12th August
Thorington Street, Suffolk, England – 77% Average Cloud Cover 12th August
Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (Brecon Beacons), Wales – 78% Average Cloud Cover 12th August
Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), Wales – 78% Average Cloud Cover 12th August
North Ronaldsay Dark Sky Island, Scotland – 78% Average Cloud Cover 12th August
Elan Valley Estate, Wales – 79% Average Cloud Cover 12th August
Northumberland National Park and Kielder Water & Forest Park, England – 80% Average Cloud Cover 12th August
Cranborne Chase, England – 81% Average Cloud Cover 12th August
Exmoor National Park, England – 82% Average Cloud Cover 12th August
Coll, Scotland – 84% Average Cloud Cover 12th August
Isle of Rum, Scotland – 86% Average Cloud Cover 12th August
Scotland leads the eclipse rankings
Scotland takes the top spot, with Galloway Forest Park forecast to have the lowest average cloud cover of all 22 destinations at 53%. Already renowned for its vast forests, remote landscapes and exceptionally dark skies, it could offer eclipse chasers one of the strongest chances of catching the spectacle. West Penwith follows closely in second place at 56%, combining dramatic Cornish coastline, ancient landmarks and open Atlantic horizons for a memorable celestial escape.
Darker skies don’t always mean clearer views
Some of the UK’s most remote island destinations sit surprisingly low in the ranking because of their forecast cloud cover. Isle of Rum records the highest figure at 86%, while Coll follows at 84% and North Ronaldsay reaches 78%. By contrast, mainland locations such as Galloway Forest Park at 53%, West Penwith at 56% and Moffat at 59% could offer a better balance of dark skies and clearer conditions.
Alongside cloud cover, good eclipse visibility depends on low haze and humidity, strong atmospheric visibility, minimal rain and an open, unobstructed view of the sky, showing that remoteness alone does not guarantee the best viewing experience.
Turn the eclipse into a last-minute escape
For those planning a last-minute eclipse getaway, the results suggest that heading west or north could offer the best prospects, with Scottish, Welsh and Cornish locations dominating the upper end of the table. Forecasts can still change before Wednesday 12 August, so travellers should check local conditions before setting off, pack suitable eye protection and prepare for a rare summer experience that combines stargazing, scenery and adventure.
Dan Yates, founder of Pitchup.com commented: “The growing interest in dark skies and the solar eclipse shows just how popular astrotourism has become. More travellers are looking for experiences that help them switch off, spend time in nature and enjoy something memorable under the open sky.
“Camping is a natural fit for this kind of trip. It gives people the chance to stay close to some of the UK’s most beautiful landscapes, from forests and moorland to coastlines and national parks, while making the most of the evening and night rather than heading straight home.
“For many people, the eclipse will be the starting point for a wider outdoor break, combining stargazing with walking, wildlife, scenic views and time away from busy towns and cities. We have highlighted some of the best campsites near the leading dark sky destinations to help travellers turn the occasion into a special summer escape.”
The best campsites for a last-minute stargazing break
Galloway Forest Holiday Park
Galloway Forest Holiday Park, Dumfries and Galloway, is an ideal base for watching this week’s celestial events. The peaceful campsite is the only one located within the 300-square-mile Galloway Forest Park, which was designated the UK’s first Dark Sky Park thanks to its exceptionally low levels of light pollution.
By day, guests can explore the surrounding lochs, hiking trails and mountain bike routes, before settling in after dark for some of the UK’s best stargazing. With the Perseid meteor shower reaching its peak this week, the site offers holidaymakers a prime spot to look skywards away from bright city lights.
Trewarveneth Manor Farm Camping
Trewarveneth Manor Farm Camping in Cornwall, is a scenic spot for watching this week’s Perseid meteor shower, with back-to-basics pitches, wide-open surroundings and sweeping views across Mount’s Bay towards St Michael’s Mount.
The small, family-friendly campsite is within walking distance of Newlyn and Mousehole and close to the South West Coast Path, making it a strong choice for days spent exploring the Cornish coast followed by evenings looking skywards. With no electric hook-ups and guests advised to bring torches after dark, the site’s simple set-up also lends itself well to a night of stargazing away from brighter urban areas.
Moffat Manor Holiday Park
Moffat Manor Holiday Park, Dumfries and Galloway, offers a peaceful countryside setting for anyone hoping to catch this week’s Perseid meteor shower. Set across more than 80 acres of woodland near Beattock, the park has plenty of open space and waterside spots around its private loch, making it a relaxing base for an evening under the stars.
During the day, visitors can explore nearby walking and cycling routes, head into Moffat, or make use of the park’s woodland trails before settling in for a night of meteor spotting. There’s also an on-site bar and bistro for an easy post-stargazing meal or drink.
Ends
Editors notes
Methodology
*Google Trends data was collected on 6 August 2026, examining UK Google searches for “solar eclipse” (+300%), “dark skies UK” (+5,000%) and “UK dark sky map” (+120%). Interest in “solar eclipse” was measured over the past week compared with the previous week, while the remaining terms were measured over the past month compared with the month prior. Data is correct as of 6 August 2026.
** The ranking includes all UK International Dark Sky Places listed by DarkSky International. The address or coordinates provided for each destination on DarkSky.org were entered into Clear Outside to obtain the forecast total cloud cover for Wednesday 12 August 2026. Cloud-cover readings from 12:00pm to 12:00am were averaged for each destination, covering the period in which the solar eclipse is expected to take place. Destinations were then ranked from lowest to highest average cloud cover, with lower percentages indicating a greater likelihood of clear viewing conditions. Forecast data was collected on 6 August 2026 and is subject to change.
About Pitchup.com
Founded in 2009 by former lastminute.com man, Dan Yates, multi-award-winning Pitchup.com lists 6,000 outdoor accommodation locations in 67 countries in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, including an average of 3,649 live UK sites, providing users with a simple platform where they can search for and book a holiday with ease. Since creation, the platform has handled £550 million worth of bookings and booked over 48 million bednights, with over 5 million nights taken in the last year alone and 63 million annual website visits.
Pitchup.com enables users to search for all types of parks and sites from more than 100 chains right through to one-off campsites and unique outdoor accommodation options, which may have previously lacked a web presence.
Awards include 2021 Winner, Trade Heroes - Pandemic Heroes Awards (National Farm Attractions Network), 2020, 2019 and 2018 inclusions in the FT1000 (Financial Times' 1000 fastest growing companies in Europe), and in 2025, 'Europe's Long-Term Growth Champion' (FT) for sustained revenue growth since 2014. This year, Pitchup was also awarded a Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award for the sixth year in a row. Pitchup was also ranked among the top 50 largest global Online Travel Agents this year.
