10 Dark Sky Destinations

In the modern world, it's becoming more and more difficult to enjoy truly dark skies without any light pollution. Due to this, conservationists have recognised International Dark Sky Places which aim to encourage communities & protected areas around the world to preserve the night sky. 

Many of the designated Dark Sky Places in the UK & Ireland lie in AONBs & National Parks including the Forest of Bowland, Exmoor, Brecon Beacons, Northumberland, the North Pennines & Snowdonia. 

If you're an aspiring astronomer, travel photographer or just looking for a new holiday destination, we've created a list for you! The following dark sky destinations offer magical skies, shooting stars and maybe even the chance to spot the Northern Lights. 

https://www.theholidaycottages.co.uk

1. Cefncoedbach Cottages, Brecon, Powys, Brecon Beacons (Sleeps 1 - 12) 

These cottages are nestled in a countryside location near Brecon in Powys. With clear night skies and no light pollution, this is a fantastic destination for gazing at the night sky. A recent guest review: "The scenery is stunning & the cottage is beautiful. We had one perfectly clear night where we could clearly see the Milky Way and shooting stars."

Find out more about Cefncoedbach Cottages on the link below!

www.theholidaycottages.co.uk/Powys/1579

2. Fir Tree Lodge, Barras, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria (Sleeps 1 - 5) 

Fir Tree Lodge lies in the idyllic Eden Valley in Cumbria. You can stargaze directly from your own private hot tub during a stay at this romantic lodge! 

You can find more information & book this lodge on the following link:

www.theholidaycottages.co.uk/Cumbria/16213 

3. South Byre, Borgue, Kirkcudbright, Dumfries & Galloway (Sleeps 1 - 2)

The area surrounding this cosy bolthole is well recognised as one of the best stargazing sites in Scotland. The Galloway Forest Park was the first recognised Dark Sky Park in the UK.

Find out more about South Byre on the link below!

www.theholidaycottages.co.uk/Dumfries/8689


4. Tigh na Boireach, North Uist, Western Isles (Sleeps 1 - 2)

Tigh na Boireach offers self-catering accommodation on North Uist. This romantic, picture postcard house encapsulates the traditional style of the Scottish Blackhouse & is an ideal retreat or honeymoon destination. The Western Isles' dark, pollution free sky is an attractive prospect for astronomers and stargazers. Keep an eye out for the Northern Lights as well! 

Click the link for more information on this unique getaway!

www.theholidaycottages.co.uk/WesternIsles/14351

5. Broadmea Barn & Stable, Slaggyford, Alston, Cumbria, North Pennines (Sleeps 1 - 16)

Due to Broadmea Barn's remote location in the North Pennines, guest can enjoy some of the darkest skies in England. During winter the constellation of Orion & the Milky Way can be seen from almost everywhere in this AONB. The North Pennines AONB Partnership has designated 16 official Dark Sky Discovery Sites which are recognised as fantastic for amateurs and professionals alike.

You can book a trip to the North Pennines on the link below!

www.theholidaycottages.co.uk/Cumbria/12753

6. Teeny's Cottage, Edinbane, Portree, Isle of Skye (Sleeps 1 - 4)

Spot shooting stars & the Northern Lights during your stay at Teeny's Cottage on the Isle of Skye! This holiday cottage lies in the north of the island, 10 miles from the nearest street light!

You can find more information on the following link:

www.theholidaycottages.co.uk/IsleofSkye/14440

7. West Withy Farm Holiday Cottages, Dulverton, Somerset, Exmoor (Sleeps 1 - 6)

You can spot millions of stars in a Dark Sky Area like the Exmoor National Park! With 2 official viewing sites less than 1 mile away & telescopes available for hire, West Withy Farm is the ideal place to stay. You can even arrange a personal tour of the Exmoor night sky from your own cottage garden!

Book a trip to West Withy Farm on the link below:

www.theholidaycottages.co.uk/Somerset/1213

8. Rowan Cottage, New Galloway, Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway (Sleeps 1 - 6)

This holiday cottage is just a stone's throw from the Galloway Forest Park which offers 300 square miles that have been protected from light pollution. You can spot over 7,000 stars and planets with the naked eye & attend stargazing events throughout the year.

You can find out more about Rowan Cottage on the following link:

www.theholidaycottages.co.uk/Dumfries/15525

9. Dipper & Chaffinch, Kidlandlee, Morpeth, Northumberland (Sleeps 1 - 6)

Dipper & Chaffinch are beautifully secluded holiday cottages in Kidlandlee, Northumberland. Both lie in the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, Europe’s largest area of protected night sky.

You can find more information on the following link:

www.theholidaycottages.co.uk/Northumberland/3775

10. The Shepherds Barn, Quernmore, Lancaster, Lancashire, The Forest of Bowland (Sleeps 1-6)

The skies above the Forest of Bowland are a sight to behold! This wonderful AONB has recently been recognized as a Dark Sky Discovery Site. With luxury rooms, countryside views & pets welcome, The Shepherds Barn is an ideal place to stay during your visit.

You can book a holiday on the link below!

www.theholidaycottages.co.uk/Lancashire/9146

The Holiday Cottages is a user friendly online directory for self catering accommodation in the UK & Ireland. To keep up to date with properties on our website join us on our social media pages below:

         

Earl Thorfinn Cottage, Kirkwall, Orkney

Earl Thorfinn Cottage, Kirkwall, Orkney (Sleeps 1 - 10)

https://www.theholidaycottages.co.uk/Orkney/14771

Earl Thorfinn Cottage has a central location in the pretty town of Kirkwall, Orkney's bustling capital. This ancient Norse town is full of history & charm. Although the cottage lies near the centre of town is retains a quiet and picturesque location. This holiday cottage can sleep up to 4 people in a double and twin bedroom. There is a modern living area and here a sheltered wee garden at the front and back of the property.

Just a short walk from the holiday cottage you will find shops, places to eat and harbour. This is an ideal location for exploring all the Neolithic sites: Skara Brae, Maeshowe, Standing Stones, Ring of Brodgar and the newly discovered site Ness of Brodgar, Walkmill Bay & Scapa Beach. There are many beautiful walks in the area as well as cycle routes right from the doorstep.

The Holiday Cottages is a user friendly online directory for self catering accommodation in the UK & Ireland. To keep up to date with properties on our website join us on our social media pages below:

         

The Stable Yard, Wootton, Bedford, Bedfordshire

The Stable Yard, Wootton, Bedford, Bedfordshire (Sleeps 1 - 3)

https://www.theholidaycottages.co.uk/Bedfordshire/4883

The Stable Yard is a selection of self catering apartments in the Bedfordshire village of Wootton. There are currently 8 individually designed apartments. Of these, 4 are located in the converted former coach house and have been sympathetically restored to retain many of the original beams and features. 

The accommodation itself is located on a working arable farm & there are many lovely countryside walks surrounding the apartments. Bedford is approximately 7 miles away and Milton Keynes approximately 12 miles where there is a massive varierty of activties to be explored. 

The Holiday Cottages is a user friendly online directory for self catering accommodation in the UK & Ireland. To keep up to date with properties on our website join us on our social media pages below:

         

Our 5 Favourite Mountains to Climb in the UK and Ireland!

Our 5 Favourite Mountains to Climb in the UK and Ireland!

https://www.theholidaycottages.co.uk

We love walking here at The Holiday Cottages! There’s no need to go abroad to find a beautiful mountain to conquer. Here, we’ve collected our 5 favourite mountains in the UK & Ireland that we recommend you go and explore. Each of these hikes are for different abilities so there is something for everyone from seasoned climber to first timers.

1. Ben Nevis, Lochaber, Scotland (1,345 metres)

Our personal favourite is the fantastic Ben Nevis in Scotland. This is the tallest mountain on the British Isles and attracts thousands of tourists every year. Most tourists take the Mountain Path which is the easier route and takes between 4-8 hours depending on fitness. The views during the climb up are truly stunning and the feeling when you reach the summit is amazing! 

Click here to find properties nearby to rest your head after a long day climbing. 

2. Snowdon, Snowdonia, Wales  (1,085 m)

This is the most climbed mountain in the UK. There are 6 different paths to choose, each range in difficulty. There’s even the famous Snowdon Mountain Railway if you’d prefer a more leisurely trip! Whichever way you decide the exhilarating view at the top stretches over Snowdonia. The round trip is approximately 6 hours.

Have a look at some cosy Welsh cottages nearby.

3. Cat Bells, Lake District, England (451 metres) 

We think Cat Bells is the perfect starter mountain and is great for introducing kids to the joys of climbing! This mountain is moderate in difficulty and takes around 3 hours. Enjoy sensational panoramic views over Keswick, Derwentwater and Borrowdale during the climb.

There are some beautiful properties in Keswick, have a look at the selection here.

4. Carrauntoohil, County Kerry, Ireland (1,038m)

This is Ireland’s highest peak and it is the central peak of the Macgillycuddy's Reeks range in County Kerry. There are three routes that climbers can take however the most popular is the Devil’s Ladder which takes around 4-6 hours depending on fitness. This is quite a challenging climb, if you’re not confident there are many local guides and tours. We think the view at the summit is one of the most rewarding in Ireland. 

Click here to find friendly Irish cottages nearby. 

5. Ingleborough, Yorkshire Dales, England (470 metres).

This is probably the easiest climb at 470 metres. The route to the summit start from Clapham and provides an interesting climb & there are stunning views at the top. On a clear day you can see all the way over to Morecambe Bay on England’s West Coast. Ingleborough has fascinated archaeologists for years, most visitors are unaware the rocks at the summit were part of an Iron Age ritual site. This walk takes around 2.5 hours. 

Click here to find the perfect base for your adventure in the Dales.

We hope you have fun exploring! 

The Holiday Cottages is a user friendly online directory for self catering accommodation in the UK & Ireland. To keep up to date with properties on our website join us on our social media pages below:

         

The Upper Bakery, Cromer, Norfolk

The Upper Bakery, Cromer, Norfolk (Sleeps 1 - 5)

https://www.theholidaycottages.co.uk/Norfolk/16181

The Upper Bakery offers charming accommodation in Cromer. This apartment is perfect for a relaxing and peaceful stay in a beautiful part of the country.

This lovely top floor apartment combines traditional and contemporary furnishings and can sleep up to 3 people. There are 2 other apartments available in the same building if you have a larger family you can rent them together. 

Cromer is great for an unforgettable seaside holiday. In town you can explore a range of shops, restaurants, beautiful beaches and variety of attractions. 

The Holiday Cottages is a user friendly online directory for self catering accommodation in the UK & Ireland. To keep up to date with properties on our website join us on our social media pages below:

         

The Byre Northton, Isle of Harris, Western Isles

The Byre Northton, Isle of Harris, Western Isles (Sleeps 1 - 6)

https://www.theholidaycottages.co.uk/WesternIsles/16179

This cosy cottage on the Isle of Harris is just for two, making it the ideal location for romantic break away in rural Scotland. The Byre has a contemporary open plan living area with comfy seating & a wood burner, sit back, relax and admire the breathtaking views

This stylish property has been thoughtfully converted from an original Croft Byre and is in a beautiful location. You can enjoy glorious views over Mount Chiapaval and Northton Bay. A range of superb attractions are in the local area. You can stroll to the nearby medieval ruins that date from the 1520s. From here you can enjoy glorious coastal views. Lots of unspoilt beaches can be enjoyed and a large variety of wildlife can be seen on the island.

The Holiday Cottages is a user friendly online directory for self catering accommodation in the UK & Ireland. To keep up to date with properties on our website join us on our social media pages below: