Cumbria Dark Skies Festival returns in November, with an exciting selection in-person night time events in the wilds of Cumbria, from rock pooling in the dark on the west coast, to night woodland walks at Arnside and Staveley, night time canoeing, listening to wildlife and studying the moon through a telescope. Dark Skies themed art workshops and wood whittling courses feature too as well as a night art installation at Grizedale Forest, and the popular online Planetarium events by LUniverse at Lancaster University. 

Pictured: Night woodland walk event at Grubbins Wood - by Cumbria Wildlife Trust

Cumbria Dark Skies Officer Jack Ellerby said, 

“After our last Dark Sky Festival when all the events were online due to lockdown, we are really pleased to be offering a whole range of dark sky experiences. More and more research shows how being immersed in the natural world is a tonic for our mental and physical health and well-being. Looking up into a star-laden sky is one of the most awe-inspiring pleasures to refresh our spirits and sense of wonder. 

“It’s great all our different organisations are working together to celebrate and cherish Cumbria’s wonderful dark skies. Tourism businesses are also doing events for visitors with astronomer guides, running swimming under the stars activities and community groups with an interest in the night sky environment are also doing local events. Please do support these passionate local businesses and book on some event(s)”. 

Make a date in your diaries - the Cumbria Dark Skies Festival is open for bookings via our

Dark Skies Cumbria website>

The events are also listed on Cumbria Tourism’s Visit Lake District website:

www.visitlakedistrict.com/whats-on

The Dark Skies Cumbria festival is a partnership of Friends of the Lake District, Cumbria Tourism, Forestry England, Cumbria Wildlife Trust and the Lake District National Park.