International Dark Sky Reserve
Dark Skies
One of the finest stargazing destinations in the world — right here in South Wales.
One of the finest stargazing destinations in the world — right here in South Wales.
The quality of the night sky arching above the Brecon Beacons has been recognised internationally as one of the best places in the world to see stars. In 2012, the Brecon Beacons National Park became the fifth place in the world — and the first in Wales — to be awarded International Dark Sky Reserve status. It remains one of only 16 such Reserves worldwide.
Away from the towns, light pollution is minimal. On a clear moonless night, thousands of stars are visible with the naked eye, including the full band of the Milky Way. The experience of standing on a dark hillside and watching the sky in that kind of silence is genuinely hard to describe.
Darkness is the vital ingredient. The best stargazing spots are deliberately a little off the beaten track — which is part of what makes them so good. Check the weather forecast, dress warmly, and give your eyes at least twenty minutes to adjust.
in the world to receive
Dark Sky Reserve status
year of designation —
first in Wales
International Dark Sky
Reserves worldwide
"On the right night, you will see more stars than you have ever seen in your life. The Milky Way appears as a physical thing — a river of light you could almost reach up and touch."
Each location below comes with an OS grid reference and a what3words address you can use with any mapping app on your phone to navigate straight there in the dark.
A remote reservoir set among forest and moorland in the Usk Valley, overlooking the Black Mountain. One of the darkest and most peaceful spots in the park.
Pull off the A4067 and let your eyes adjust to the black mirror of the reservoir. The stillness here, with the mountains all around, is extraordinary.
Gaze at the stars through the atmospheric ruins of a 13th-century Augustinian priory in the Vale of Ewyas. Few stargazing backdrops are quite as romantic as this.
Drive up into the hills above Hay-on-Wye for a genuine 360° panorama. On a clear night, the absence of light in every direction is something to stand in for a while.
The most accessible spot on the list — good parking and lighting facilities make this ideal for families or first-timers. You can wander out onto the common for a genuinely dark view.
Arrive in time to watch the sun set from the summit, then return to the car park to let the sky take over. The transition from golden sunset to star-filled darkness is something to see.
Perched dramatically on a limestone crag above the River Cennen, this ruined 13th-century castle creates an unforgettable silhouette against a sky full of stars.
The 40-acre ornamental Victorian garden — now a Country Park — sits beside a castle that bills itself as the most haunted in Wales. Accessible and atmospheric in equal measure.
The distinctive cone of Sugar Loaf dominates the sky above Abergavenny and sits high enough to rise above the cloud line, giving access to clearer skies even when lower ground is overcast.
Enjoy the night sky above South Wales' largest natural lake — with the sounds of otters, water voles and waterfowl in the reeds for company. A gentler, more magical experience than the upland spots.