Ambleside and Grasmere Big Switch Off 2026

7pm onwards, Thursday 19 March 2026

Over 220 street lights will be switched off, alongside businesses, community buildings and residents all taking part and turning their lights off for the evening. Before the lights go off you might be able to see one to two hundred stars and planets – but after look up and marvel as thousands of stars reveal themselves in the night sky!

‘Lighting and the Night Time Environment’

Free guided walk 

Time: 7.30 – 8.45pm. Walk is about 1 mile, all on pavements.
Meeting place: Waterhead car park, Ambleside,
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Join Friends of the Lake District’s former Dark Skies Officer, Jack Ellerby, walking from Waterhead up the A591 Lake Road into Ambleside Centre and back along Borrans Road.

Experience the settlement after the 7pm lighting switch off, see an innovative footway Lighting pilot by Westmorland and Furness Council and hear about good ways to light to reduce the impacts of artificial lighting at night. Clear skies permitting, we’ll stop off in Borran’s Park for some star gazing.

There’s no need to book, just turn up and pray for a clear night!

Star Gazing at Allan Bank

In Grasmere, The National Trust is inviting people to bring their telescopes and binoculars to Allan Bank Dark Sky Discovery Site for some fantastic stargazing. A free drop in event from 8-10pm: Community Dark Skies Night | National Trust  

If you live in Ambleside and Grasmere or run a business please do take part in the Annual Big Switch Off evening – reduce your electricity consumption, our carbon footprint and help wildlife flourish in its natural environment.

We encourage visitors to come for the Big Switch Off and stay over the weekend to help support local businesses during the quieter winter period.

Main image: The Milky Way above Ambleside and Grasmere from Loughrigg Fell, 5am 23 February 2023. Credit Jonny Gios.