Bannau Brycheiniog National Park has been recognised for its astrotourism opportunities.

New analysis by AA Car Insurance has ranked every UK national park based on the key factors that can make or break a stargazing experience, including light pollution (Bortle scale), rainfall, cloud cover and air quality, and has placed Bannau Brycheiniog at number ten.

Thanks to the recent partial solar eclipse, which saw millions of Brits turn their eyes to the sky, stargazing is soaring in popularity. In fact, Google Trends data shows searches for “stargazing locations near me” have increased by 100% in the past year, whilst searches for “go stargazing” and “stargazing UK” are up 50% and 30% respectively.

With longer nights returning, stargazing in Autumn offers the opportunity to experience the outdoors after dark without the need for specialist equipment. From spotting familiar constellations to watching meteor showers, some of the most memorable views can be enjoyed with the naked eye - provided the clouds stay away.

Jack Cousens from AA Car Insurance highlights, “More people may be tempted to set off on a road trip to enjoy Britain’s darker evenings. Our research shows that you don’t necessarily have to travel to the most remote parts of the country to experience an impressive night sky. There are fantastic stargazing spots across England, Wales and Scotland, making a night under the stars an accessible adventure for many”.

The research found that Southern England has emerged as the UK’s standout region for stargazing, with two of the country’s top three highest-ranking national parks all found in the south. New Forest National Park, which scored an impressive 86.51 out of 100, took top place.

For advice on responsible stargazing and to view the full research please visit: https://www.theaa.com/car-insurance/advice/uk-best-stargazing-spots

The UK's best stargazing spots by region
(AA)