Dark Sky Stargazing for Two

Come and join a group of guests at a North England location for an unforgettable stargazing night, enjoying dark skies away from light pollution with an expert star guide to lead you, with this Dark Sky Stargazing for Two.

Your guide for your stargazing session will be well-known scientist and amateur astronomer Robert Ince, former resident astronomer at the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory and columnist for the Daily Record newspaper. Hes picked out his favourite stargazing locations in accessible Nature Reserves and Forestry Commission visitor centres across the North of England, all selected for their dark skies and warm inside spaces so you can be comfortable as you gaze up into the heavens through the evening hours.

The session will start with an introduction to the dark skies, explaining why they need protecting, including a slideshow of what you can hope to see before the main event – stargazing and an incredible journey through the northern hemisphere constellations and along the milky way. After you’ve used advanced telescopes and binoculars to see into the soul of the universe, feel free to ask questions so you can go home full of knowledge about life, the universe and everything!

What's Included?

• A stargazing session for two as part of a group at one of 10 northern locations
• Learn from expert guide Robert Ince as he takes you on an incredible celestial journey
• Use advanced telescopes, binoculars and your naked eyes to see stars, constellations, galaxies and more
• Discover the importance of dark skies and why they need protecting
• Experience gift pack
• Cancellation indemnity

What happens on the day?

The exact order of the day will vary according to your chosen location or the time of year, but youll arrive after dusk and head into your chosen visitor/observation centre to be greeted by your expert guide. When everyones arrived, youll start with an introduction to the UK skies and what a truly dark sky is, with a short presentation on what you might see out in the wild.

Once the stargazing starts youll be using your naked eyes, advanced telescopes and binoculars to see stars, constellations, galaxies and more, all with Robert Ince guiding you through and answering all of your burning astronomy questions.

The experience will go ahead whether cloudy or clear, if the weather does not allow external stargazing, the experience will continue inside the warm meeting room, with telescopes, videos and interesting talks

Validity

Your voucher is valid for 12 months from the date of issue

Please note you must have booked and taken your experience before the expiry date

Participant guidelines

Minimum age: 10 (under 18s need to be accompanied by a paying adult)

The experience content, equipment used and restrictions may vary

Availability

The experience is available on selected dates. Due to longer days and summer skies, this experience experience is not available June to August.

We recommend you book at least four weeks in advance to ensure that dates are available. All bookings are subject to availability.

Please allow at least 2 hours for the full experience

What about insurance?

The centres contracted with us hold public liability insurance. We also hold contingency liability cover. You will not be liable for accidental damage to equipment, except where damage has been caused as a result of recklessness or wilful negligence.

A cancellation indemnity, subject to terms, is included with every voucher.

How it works

All you have to do is pay for the experience you wish to purchase and well send a voucher and booking information to you or directly to the recipient, then you just need to check the info and book your experience.

Locations

North West

• Lancashire - Clitheroe
• Lancashire - Ormskirk
• North Yorkshire - Lancaster
• Lancashire - Preston
• Cumbria - Lake District

North East

• Northumberland - Hexham

Yorkshire and Humber

• North Yorkshire - Thirsk