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!

The Ambleside and Grasmere Big Switch Off 2023 Film

A short film of the Big Switch Off in Ambleside and Grasmere on 23 February 2023 from 7pm - to save energy and see more stars.

Organised by Friends of the Lake District’s Dark Skies Cumbria project, residents and businesses took part by turning off their own lights, along with over 200 street lights switched off by Cumbria County Council's lighting engineer team.

Friends of the Lake District’s Jack Ellerby, the Dark Skies Officer for Cumbria said: “Momentum is building with more people and businesses taking part each year in the Big Switch Off, to save energy and see more stars. In the two communities, I’d say 50% more lights were off this time in Ambleside than last year and 95% more across Grasmere."

Thanks to Jonny Gios for producing the film for us, Cumbria County Council’s lighting team for making the event such a success by switching off street lights, plus Ambleside Action For A Future, Grasmere Village Society, Lakes Parish Council and South Lakeland District Council, who all worked together with Friends of the Lake District Dark Skies Cumbria project on the Big Switch Off.

Latest

Volunteers thanked at Friends of Lake District Awards

Hard working volunteers for the landscape charity Friends of the Lake District were recognised and rewarded at a special awards event at the Windermere Jetty Museum on Thursday 25 April.
23 April 2024: The Helm, paths to summer adventures

We were joined by a big group of volunteers with clippers, loppers and saws this week for bramble, bracken, and gorse management, to keep paths clear and create fire breaks.
Leaders' Landscape Training: The Westmorland Dales: its natural and cultural heritage

The Westmorland Dales has been described as one of the best preserved prehistoric archaeological landscapes north of Salisbury Plain. The landscape has been hugely influenced by the way people have exploited and managed it for thousands of years. The walk will explore this, attempting to decipher the layers in the landscape.
Leaders' Landscape Training: Understanding Tranquillity

Tranquillity is one of many components that come together to create the overall character of a landscape, and it is something that many visitors to the Lake District and Cumbria come to enjoy but it is often misunderstood or not fully understood even by those tasked with protecting it.

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.

Volunteering

Learn new skills and join our army of volunteers helping us to make a practical difference to the Lake District all year round.
Join Today

Play your part in protecting the Lake District by becoming a member today.
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.
Why become a member?

Love the Lake District? Become a member of Friends of the Lake District and join thousands of people enjoying and protecting it.
What are the disadvantages of being in a National Park?
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