Cumbria's dark skies allow us to see the natural wonder of the stars, but are also critical for the health wildlife and our own natural well-being. Sadly light pollution in Cumbria is increasing each year, threatening to obscure our view of the stars and blinding and confusing animals so they can’t feed or find a mate. We need urgent action now to stop light pollution. Stargazers, photographers, wildlife lovers and local communities… please help.
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The Lake District and Cumbria offers some of the most spectacular and precious skyscapes in England and we want you to join us on an interstellar adventure. Download our Dark Sky Discovery Pack and get started today!
Dark skies are integral to the tranquility and people’s enjoyment of the many great landscapes of the Lake District and across Cumbria. Read more
The Cumbria Dark Skies Festival is back this autumn between 28 October and 18 November 2023. Friends of the Lake District is hosting a number of free events which you are welcome to join. Read more
We believe that the Lake District offers some of the most spectacular and precious skyscapes in England and we want you to join us on an interstellar adventure. We're publishing tips and guides to help you make the most of our starry skies! Read more
Up to a hundred people joined local astro-photographers, and astronomers and took part in a forest and moon bathing experience for our Big Switch Off event in Keswick on 23 April. Read more
Twenty-two new environmentally and dark sky friendly lights are benefitting nature and people in the town of Sedbergh. Read more
We've created a new 2024 'Dark Skies room brochure' for hotel and B&B guests to encourage them to step outside, look up and be wowed by how many stars they can see. Read more
To celebrate our starry skies and help protect and improve our view of the stars, we're inviting residents and visitors in Cumbria to be ‘citizen scientists’ and take part in a Cumbria Star Count 2024 – a cosmic census that will help map our view of the stars and the impact of light pollution. Read more
Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale
Simon Fell, MP for Barrow and Furness
Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border
Mark Jenkinson, MP for Workington
International Dark Sky Association