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 Cumbria Dark Skies Festival is back this autumn between 28 October and 18 November 2023. Friends of the Lake District will be hosting a number of free events which you are welcome to join - details below - and you'll find a full list of all festival activities on Cumbria Tourism’s website.
It promises to be another diverse festival engagement programme combining partners and local business events across the county, including open water swimming, canoeing, singing, woodland family walks, cycling, moon bathing, star gazing, rock pool wildlife spotting and many more.
Other local non-public events will also get underway, for example, the Eddington Astronomical Society and Friends of the Lake District running an evening with Kirkbie Kendal School pupils. Events and activities like these will run throughout the winter period following the Festival, including two Big Lighting Switch Off events in February, Ambleside and Grasmere, and a new one around Lake Road in Keswick with the support of Keswick Tourism Association and partners.