Discover a landscape alive with nature
Dark Skies
Welcome to the dark side
A river of light made from millions of stars, is visible to the naked eye from the Norfolk Coast.
The Milky Way is a common sight here, and Aurora Borealis has even been known to visit from time to time.
And there’s no better place to go stargazing than at our four Dark Sky Discovery Sites, which are recognised as some of the UK’s best places to view the night skies. All have a designated darkness rating of two stars, meaning that the seven stars of Orion and the Milky Way can be seen without a telescope.
Elsewhere on the coast, on a clear night, you can see constellations and planets from many areas that are free from light pollution.
The Hunstanton Observatory is a fantastic base for getting close to space.
Dark Sky Discovery Sites
Kelling Heath
Nestled in the heart of North Norfolk away from light sources, Kelling Heath Holiday Park is located near Weybourne within the Norfolk Coast National Landscape. Two equinox star parties, popular with astronomers from around the UK, are held every year, with the September event thought to be the largest star party in Europe.
Barrow Common
Barrow Common is a remote, nature-rich wildlife site. This area of common land just south of Brancaster has no amenities other than a couple of off-road car-parking spaces perfect for stargazing. This very dark, elevated, heathland site has very good site lines and a spectacular 180° view of the north horizon.
RSPB Titchwell
A magical place to enjoy some stargazing, RSPB Titchwell Marsh Nature Reserve is a very dark site on a raised embankment, surrounded by wetland habitat, with impressive 360° views of the horizon. There are regular evening sessions for the public to learn how to spot constellations, planets and much more.
Wiveton Downs
Wiveton Downs car park has no facilities but boasts spectacular views of the brooding landscape that is recognised both as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Dark Sky Site. Sitting in a isolated location near Cley and Blakeney, this elevated heathland site is valued for its geology and offers very good site lines in all directions.
Dark Skies Festival 2023-24
Take part in our season of fun events this winter while learning more about the night sky.
