Ahead of this year’s August and October meteor showers, we wanted to share the best locations in the UK to camp out and view the showers, based on peak astronomical hours and the number of campsites nearby.
Tomintoul and Glenlivet, in the Cairngorms, Scotland, ranks as the best spot for budding stargazers to camp out and catch a glimpse of the annual showers, with 25 campsites nearby and the most hours of peak stargazing time – also known as astronomical viewing hours.
The data has been analysed by motorhome rental company Camptoo who recommend visiting these nine places to get the best experience of the upcoming Perseid meteor showers:
1. Tomintoul and Glenlivet – Cairngorms
This remote area in the north of Scotland offers a secluded area to take in the dark skies and star gaze for the longest period of time in the UK. There are more than four (four hours 54 minutes) astronomical twilight hours (the time of night which the sky is darkest), with the peak times between 00:00am – 3:43am and 10:59pm – 0:00am on the nights of August 13th and 14th, and 25 different campsites to choose from for visitors looking to set up under the stars.
2. Coll
Another remote area of Scotland, Coll is an island off the west coast by the Isle of Mull. While there is less choice for visitors – there are just three campsites in the area – it ranks as the second best place in the UK to view the stars. At the peak of the meteor showers, the sun will set at 21:09, with an impressive 3:32 astronomical twilight hours in which to star gaze. The best times for visitors will be 2:19am – 04:03am and 10:55pm – 00:43am.
3. Northumberland National Park
A well-travelled place in the north east of England, Northumberland is a popular spot amongst walkers and campers, and is one of the best spots to set up and wait for the skies to go dark. There are 14 campsites to choose from around Northumberland National Park and almost three astronomical twilight hours, with peak times from 2:35am – 3:57am and 10:26pm – 11:45pm.
4. Galloway Forest
Another area of Scotland worth visiting is Galloway Forest, just west of Dumfries. It was the first area in the UK to be recognised as a Dark Sky Park, but it remains one of the less heralded places with only 11 campsites for people to visit. As we travel further south, the twilight hours begin to drop but you can still get two hours 39 mins of perfect star-gazing conditions between 2:48am – 4:09am and 10:34pm – 11:52pm over 15 daylight hours on August 13 to enjoy some daytime activities in between star-gazing.
5. Snowdonia National Park
The national park around Wales’ largest mountain has the most campsites on our list, with 137 different sites to choose from for travellers. However, as well as being a hugely popular hiking and tourist destination, Snowdonia will also offer a great place to take in the meteor showers this week. Between 3:15am – 4:21am and 10:18pm – 11:23pm there will be two hours and 11 minutes of twilight time in which to perfectly view the night sky, making it a hugely popular area to visit.
Other destinations that Camptoo would recommend travelling to for the best views of the Perseid meteor showers – which are due to peak on the nights of August 13/14 but will be active until August 23 – include Elan Valley, Exmoor National Park, Sark Island and Brecon Beacons – which has the fewer overall twilight hours than others mentioned on our list, but boasts an impressive 52 campsites in the area.
Camptoo offer the UK’s largest peer-to-peer motorhome and campervan rental selection direct from vehicle owners in the UK, with plenty of selection for people travelling up and down the country to enjoy Staycations and pursue the UK’s amazing landscapes and natural environment including the Perseid meteor showers.
The Perseid showers will not be the last chance to see meteors in the UK this year, with the Draconid (8-9) and Orionid (21-22) meteor showers due to peak in October at these same sites.