Dark Skies Cumbria

Saving Our Night Skies

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.

Or you can give by text to 70085. Just message DARKSKIES along with your chosen donation amount (eg DARKSKIES 5 to donate £5). Standard message rates apply.

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!

Only two weeks to go!

It’s just two short weeks until the very first Cumbria Dark Skies Festival, 21-23 February 2020.

Here at Friends of the Lake District we’ve been working hard with our partners, Cumbria Tourism and Forestry England, to pull together a full programme of events for all the family across this exciting three-day celebration of dark skies.

The response we’ve had from the public so far has been incredible – many activities are getting booked up fast, so if you’d like to attend, be sure to book your tickets or reserve spaces for your chosen events soon.

We’re passionate about protecting and enhancing Cumbria’s dark skies, so seeing people have such a positive response to the festival programme is amazing.

As many of you may know, we’re working hard to achieve ‘Dark Sky Reserve’ Status by 2022. As part of this, we’re pleased to be able to continue to educate the wider public on the small steps we can all take to protect our dark skies from light pollution, safeguarding them for generations to come.

To find out more about the full Cumbria Dark Skies Festival programme along with booking information, visit https://www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/news/cumbria-dark-skies-festival

Latest

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17 April 2024: Clean stones and corners at Mazonwath

It was the first dry day in months for the workparty at Mazonwath, which meant there was plenty of work to be done on the dry stone walls.
Postcard From the Lakes: April 2024

Our Elterwater protest rally made print, TV and radio news headlines. Thanks to everyone who came along. Thank you also to our amazing volunteers, recycling tree tubes at Gillside and Rusland woods, and took part in our Great Cumbrian Litter Pick.
Cumbria & Lakeland Walker Magazine

3-issue subscription to Cumbria and Lakeland Walker magazine for only £1.00

Lighting the Way - Sedbergh Parish Installs Dark Sky Friendly Lights

Twenty-two new environmentally and dark sky friendly lights are benefitting nature and people in the town of Sedbergh.
Dark Skies Room Brochure

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.
Cumbria Star Count 2024

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.
Good Lighting Guide for Cumbria wins National Awards

Our good lighting guide produced jointly with a lighting designer launches and has already won two national awards! Providing technical lighting guidance to planners, it will also help anyone installing or replacing lighting to make good lighting choices.
Good Lighting Approaches for Dark Skies

A talk to the Institution for Lighting Professionals' Annual Summit. Our Dark Skies Officer shares fresh approaches to tackling light pollution, planning guidance, monitoring, and inspiring communities to take action.
If you go down to the Woods tonight…

A magical Dark Skies Night Walk in Holme Wood with talk, poetry, sounds and silence, light and darkness, and songs.
New Dark Skies and Wildlife Sensitive lighting across Eden Bridge, Carlisle

Cumberland Council in partnership with lighting company DW Windsor has installed dark skies and wildlife sensitive lighting across the busiest road crossing the river Eden in Carlisle.
Dark Sky Lighting at Rookhow Quaker Meeting House and Bunkbarn

Rookhow, an 18th Century Grade II listed Quaker Meeting House in the Rusland valley, contacted the Dark Skies Cumbria Project seeking help to choose sympathetic external lighting.
Kendal Households Install Dark Sky Friendly Lights

More Kendal residents, inspired by the growing awareness of the impacts of light pollution, have replaced their outdoor lighting with dark skies friendly lighting.
Star Count 23: Public survey leads to calls to control light pollution

The results of this year’s Star Count, released today by CPRE, reveals light pollution blocks three-quarters of UK residents view of the night sky, with only five percent of people enjoying the wonder of a truly dark starry sky.

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Our Purpose

We are an independent charity and the only membership organisation dedicated to protecting and enhancing Cumbria's landscapes for future generations
Elterwater Quarry Adventure Attraction plans resubmitted

Just before Christmas, revised proposals were submitted for a visitor attraction at Elterwater Quarry. We have reviewed the plans, we remain opposed to the scheme, and you can read our formal response here.
The Helm

Situated near Oxenholme, just south east of Kendal, and although not a very high hill at 185m, it gives beautiful views.
It's Time To Save Roanhead - Response Guidance

A NEW planning application has been submitted for the major resort development proposed at Roanhead. It will still have a huge impact on this sensitive coastline, even with a reduced number of lodges. Please join us again to challenge the proposal. Previous responses won't count and new responses need to reflect latest plans.
Aerial Flight at Honister Slate Mine

We received the disappointing news that the Secretary of State will not ‘call in’ the proposed zip-wires at Honister and so the Authority’s approval stands. The Secretary of State is no longer required to give reasons for his decision.
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High Borrowdale

High Borrowdale is situated 8.5 miles north of Kendal. The best way to access it is from the A6, south of Shap. There is open access at all times. Take a VIRTUAL TOUR