Overview

Cumbria has some of the darkest skies in the UK – making it one of the few places in the country where the awe-inspiring Milky Way is still visible. Dark skies not only reveal the phenomenal wonder of the stars, but are also critical for the health of nocturnal wildlife. 

Around 60% of animals are nocturnal – following the light of the moon and stars – so light pollution can disrupt their sleeping, feeding and breeding behaviour. A significant amount of insect pollination takes place during the hours of darkness and research has shown how artificial light prevents this essential function. Evidence also shows that artificial light also has negative impacts on our health and well-being.

Dark skies under threat

An estimated 85% (possibly higher) of the UK population has never seen the Milky Way due to the rapid rise of light pollution over the last 50 years. Globally, coverage of the earth’s surface in light pollution has been rising at a staggering rate of 2% every year for the last four years. Even in Cumbria, light pollution continues to rise despite work from Friends of the Lake District and other organisations.

Main banner photo: Stuart Donaldson

Photo here: Ian Brown

Protecting dark skies

Friends of the Lake District has been working to reduce light pollution and promote the importance of dark skies across Cumbria for many years.

Events and talks

We are one of the partners in the annual Dark Skies Festival that features a host of exciting events to celebrate the wonders of the night sky (click here for more information about the Dark Skies Festival). Alongside other dark skies events, we help organise the annual Big Switch Offs in Keswick, Ambleside and Grasmere. These encourage local businesses to turn out their external lights for an evening so everyone can enjoy the night sky.

Look out for our latest dark skies events on our events guide here.

We also deliver dark skies talks to groups across Cumbria where we look at their importance, how they are being affected by light pollution, and the practical measures people can take to reduce impacts. If your organisation or community group would be interested in hearing more about our dark skies talks please contact our planning officer, Leanne Parr, via email: planning@fld.org.uk.

Planning work

We promote the Cumbria Dark Skies Good Lighting Guide when responding to planning applications. We developed the Cumbria Good Lighting Guide with the Dark Source Lighting Design Studio, and it helps architects, planners, developers, and property owners design exterior lighting that minimizes light spill, protects nocturnal wildlife, saves energy, and preserves landscape tranquillity. All local authorities in Cumbria have signed up to the guide but often applications for external lighting schemes are below standard. We provide advice as to how lighting schemes can be improved to avoid or reduce light pollution.

Alongside all of this, we provide advice to other organisations such as the Institute of Lighting Professionals and local town and parish councils.

Photo: Jonny Gios

How you can help

There are many ways that you can help protect dark skies, wherever you live. This handy one-page guide explains some of the key principles involved, from when to use lighting, to the kind of lighting you should use, especially outdoors.

Download the one page good lighting guide here.

You can also buy a Landscape Gift to help support our work in protecting dark skies from our online shop.

Click here to visit our shop and buy a “dark sky” for someone.

Photo: Mike Andrew, Astro-Photographer