Copyright www.oldcastlefarm.org.uk © All rights reserved. Created by .COM Design   Terms of use  |  Privacy policy

Stargazing. It’s Britain’s latest phenomenon – thanks, largely, to the new BBC TV series Stargazing LIVE presented by Professor Brian Cox and Dara O’Briain.

But where’s the best place in Britain to go for a bit of star spotting?

Thanks to the extremely low levels of light-pollution, and its remote beauty, the Brecon Beacons in South Wales is now putting itself forward as THE destination for would-be astronomers and the stargazing public….

The Brecon Beacons National Park covers an area of 520 square miles - much of it beneath skies barely touched by light pollution. Better still, these areas are easily accessible with good transport links to the whole of the UK, and provide a genuine opportunity for individuals to enjoy all the wonders the night sky has to offer: from simple stargazing for the casual observer, to a myriad of deep sky objects just waiting to be explored by the more accomplished astronomers.

And with such a great range of holiday cottages and hotels located in some remote countryside locations, it’s easier than ever to now organize a very special Stargaze’n’Stay shortbreak within this picturesque National Park. We’ve come up with our top ten stargazing cottages.

Better still, it’s possible to book a place on a special Stargazing Night on Saturday, March 5th, at the Brecon Beacons National Park Visitor Centre, in Brecon. Set to last from 19.00 to 21.00, and suitable for all ages, the event is being organised in conjunction with Cardiff Astronomical Society. If the skies are clear then all telescopes will be focussed on interesting phenomena in the night sky. Should it prove to be a cloudy night, then there will be some lively indoor lectures.

To find out more, and to book a place, call the National Park Visitor Centre on 01874 623366. (Cost: Adults: £6.00, Children minimum age 10 years: £4.00. Price includes parking, hot soup and a roll).

On August 12th, the annual Perseid meteor shower will once again light-up the night sky. And to mark this event the Brecon Beacons National Park Visitor Centre will be hosting a stargazing event with Dark Sky Wales from 19.30 until 11.00. The Centre will be transformed into a mini-observatory, with a portable planetarium, telescopes for visitor use and experts on hand to dispense their wisdom on all things astronomical.

Another key astronomical date for the 2011 calendar is Sunday, July 30th, when Solar Flares will be visible during daylight hours. For this event, the Cardiff Astronomical Society will be hosting a rare chance to see our nearest star in close-up. Solar telescopes will be set up at the National Park Visitor Centre to allow visitors to view the sun safely (weather permitting). This family friendly event is entirely free of charge and no booking is required.

And then the Brecon Beacons National Park Visitor Centre will host its second Stargazing event of the year from 19:00 to 21:30 on Saturday, October 8th. Prices are the same as March.

The Brecon Beacons National Park has also helped Dark Sky Wales (DSW) to produce a guide to the night sky. This guide is designed to provide residents and visitors alike with all the information needed to enjoy the wonderful dark skies the National Park has to offer. To view this, visit http://www.breconbeacons.org/visit-us/outdoors-activities/star-gazing-in-the-brecon-beacons/view