Wales Sets The Standard For UK Dark Skies Protection With New Guidance
With the release of Wales’ Planning for the Conservation and Enhancement of Dark Skies guidance, the standard has been set for dark sky areas in the UK. So, let’s take a look at how the stars continue to be popular for entertainment, making such conservation efforts essential, as well as some of the top places to check out the skies.
Enduring Interest In The Stars For Entertainment
It goes without saying that the stars have been used for entertainment for centuries. Today, stars remain a popular theme for a wide range of entertainment media in the UK, from the astronomy documentary series Stargazing Live (2011-2017), to the 2024 hit Stargazing by Myles Smith, films such as Cosmos (2019), and even online casino games.
Slot games such as the Hypernova Megaways betting game are set to the backdrop of outer space, with recognisable constellations in the sky. The slot also features supernovas and other astronomical phenomena, creating an immersive and authentic astronomy-themed casino experience.
Elsewhere, stargazing is another popular way that Brits seek entertainment from the stars. In fact, at least 7,000 of us take to the outdoors specifically to gaze at the stars every year. And there’s no wonder when the UK took over the top spot for the most designated Dark Sky Parks in the world just five years ago.
Of all the regions in the UK, Wales has taken the lead in dark sky protection. This comes after an announcement in February 2025 that Wales will introduce national good practice guidance to help protect these areas. According to Yahoo News, this makes it the first UK country to introduce such guidance – a decision that has been endorsed by the CEO and Executive Director of DarkSky International, the global conservation non-profit that designates the quality of dark sky areas.
Best Areas To Stargaze
Whilst the introduction of good practice guidance will help to keep the Welsh skies dark and clear, these skies are already known for their high quality and low pollution levels. In fact, last year was one of the best years on record for seeing the Northern Lights in the country, as the BBC captured the colourful light taking over the skies to welcome 2025 back in January.
With this in mind, it is hardly surprising that Wales has hundreds of different places where star fans can catch a glimpse of their favourite constellations. The country has a wide network of International Dark Sky Reserves, Dark Sky Parks, and Dark Sky Discovery Sites alike that are waiting to be explored.
Image by Pixabay
In North Wales, you’ll find the Eryri – otherwise known as Snowdonia -International Dark Sky Reserve, the coastline of Llŷn Peninsula, several spots on the Isle of Anglesey, and The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Natural Beauty. In South Wales, the majority of the best spots lie in Monmouthshire – and, in West Wales, your best bet is Pembrokeshire.
In Mid Wales, you’ve got the Spaceguard Centre observatory, The Elan Valley International Dark Sky Park, Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) International Dark Sky Reserve, and many Dark Sky Discovery Sites across the Cambrian Mountains and Ceredigion.
As you can see, stargazing remains a popular form of entertainment for people in the UK. And, thanks to the recently announced good practice guidance for dark sky areas, the skies in Wales will hopefully continue to be some of the best spots for stargazing for years to come.
—
Header image by WikiImages from Pixabay