Top Ten Places to go Stargazing on the Great West Way

Escape the hectic pace of life with an evening of stargazing during your Great West way trip. Enjoy the tranquillity and majesty of the night sky, admire the sweep of the Milky Way, and spot constellations above you. Whether you're planning a romantic night out with a difference, or you want to encourage the kids to get outside and enjoy some time away from a screen - stargazing is a lovely and unusual way to spend an evening. So where is best to go stargazing along the Great West Way? With miles of open countryside, there are plenty of options to choose from. Select a spot away from the light pollution of a city or town for the best stargazing conditions. Essentially you want to avoid anywhere with street lights. Choose a clear, cloudless night when the moon isn't full, wrap up warm, pack a flask of hot chocolate and a blanket to lie on and head out to see the stars. Turn off torches and phones and let your eyes adjust for twenty minutes or so – you’ll be amazed by what you can see.

Here are ten lovely stargazing destinations along the Great West Way route to get you started...

Combe Gibbet in Berkshire

A short drive from Newbury, Hungerford or Marlborough is Combe Gibbet, a hill with wide-reaching views over the surrounding countryside. With a car park at the top of the hill, you can drive up to this open viewpoint and settle down for the evening and admire the array of stars overhead. On a clear night this is a great place to enjoy the magic of the stars and the night sky.

Leigh Woods near Bristol

The National Trust recommend Leigh Woods as a good place for stargazing despite being close to the city. Just a stone's throw from the vibrant city of Bristol, the woods provide shelter from most local light pollution, with clearings where you can lie back and enjoy the night skies.

The Kennet and Avon Canal

One way to travel the Great West Way is aboard a narrowboat along the Kennet and Avon Canal. And one advantage to travelling this way is that you can moor up overnight in quiet, secluded spots away from villages and towns – perfect for a spot of stargazing as you sit aboard your boat after dark. You can find out more about where you can moor up from the Canal and River Trust.

Stonehenge

Located within easy reach of the Great West Way, Stonehenge is a magical place at any time of day or night. The mysterious standing stones have been standing here on Salisbury Plain for thousands of years and form a Heritage Site of Astronomy and Archaeoastronomy because they are aligned to the movements of the stars. The surrounding area is sparsely populated - making the night sky nice and dark and ideal for stargazing. Regular stargazing events are held at the stones, so keep an eye out for the opportunity to spend an evening at this atmospheric and iconic location.

The Ridgeway at West Ilsley, Berkshire

The oldest road in Britain, the Ridgeway has been in use for thousands of years. Many points along this National Trail offer great stargazing locations – particularly as there are regular car parks allowing access to the route. The stretch near West Ilsley, for example, is far enough from nearby towns like Newbury to offer dark enough skies for a night of stargazing.

Hackpen Hill in Wiltshire

Another rural spot along the Ridgeway National Trail, Hackpen Hill is the site of one of eight hillside White Horses in Wiltshire. This is another Great West Way location known for its wonderful daytime views - but did you know it is also a fantastic spot for enjoying the sight of the sky at night? While there may be some light pollution, the skies are dark enough here to be able to enjoy some great stargazing on a clear night. There's also a carpark to drive to so that you don't have to stumble around in the dark too much!

Lacock Village in Wiltshire

Apart from being a picture-perfect historic village ideal for a lazy afternoon admiring the architecture, Lacock is also a great location for a spot of after-dark stargazing. The old-time charm of the village means few streetlights – and that means dark skies for you to enjoy.

The Planetarium at We the Curious in Bristol

We the Curious is home to the UK’s only 3D Planetarium - offering a completely different stargazing experience! The Planetarium and We the Curious are due to reopen to the public in November 2020. In the meantime, take a look at their blog post on getting started with stargazing which will help you begin to spot and identify constellations in the night sky.

Uffington White Horse near Wantage

The Uffington White Horse is a prehistoric hill figure carved into the hillside. During the day, White Horse Hill is an ideal spot for a bracing walk, offering lovely views of the surrounding rolling downland. At night, this is a tranquil place to enjoy an hour or two of stargazing in the peace and quiet of the English countryside.

Avebury Stone Circle and West Kennet Long Barrow

Another magical spot in Wiltshire, the stone circle at Avebury is the largest prehistoric stone circle in the world. You can freely wonder amongst the stones here - and there is plenty of space to spread a blanket between them to enjoy the stars above you. However, with the village of Avebury sharing the same space, you may find there is a little light pollution - if so (and you're feeling brave) head to nearby West Kennet Long Barrow where you can expect more ancient atmosphere and darker skies. Once used for ancient burials, this is now a pleasant and restful spot ideal for stargazing. 

We hope you have a peaceful and magical experience stargazing while visiting the Great West Way. And if you're visiting in October 2021, you're in luck! Marlborough Dark Skies Festival is due to take place from 25-31 October 2021, as the town of Marlborough launches a special festival of arts and science dedicated to celebrating the night sky. Don't miss it!