Stargazing at Danby Lodge National Park Centre
The Dark Skies Station is the newest stargazing observatory in the North York Moors National Park.
Located within an International Dark Sky Reserve, this observatory sits in one of the darkest places in the UK where light pollution is extremely low, with no nearby city glow. It is a must visit destination for anyone interested in stargazing, astronomy and space science in the North York Moors.
Drop in and meet Whitby Astronomical Society
The Station is currently open every Friday, between 11.30am - 3.30pm. Chat to Whitby Astronomical Society and find out more about the observatory, ask questions about our permanent telescope and learn more about our dark skies and what being an International Dark Sky Reserve means.
Find out how to book the Dark Skies Station for your own event.
A modern observatory designed for dark skies
The Dark Skies Station is a purpose-built, accessible observatory with two wheelchair-friendly spaces:
- A presentation and event room for up to 30 people
- A dedicated stargazing room with a powerful telescope beneath a retractable roof
A flexible space for events and activities
Currently, the Dark Skies Station is closed during the day. If an event is running, it typically begins in the presentation space. Hosts can use this room in a variety of ways, from seated talks and film screenings to hands-on astronomy activities.
The space includes: a large display TV, a compact smart telescope for capturing images of celestial objects, which visitors can download as a keepsake and space for an inflatable planetarium.
The building is one of the most energy-efficient observatories in the UK. Solar panels on the roof provide all the energy needed to operate the observatory, with surplus energy supporting the wider Danby Lodge site.
Stargazing at the Dark Skies Station
A short corridor featuring sound recordings created by Youth Voice leads into the stargazing room.
This space is home to an impressive, accessible telescope with a live link to the TV in the presentation room. The retractable roof opens to reveal the southern sky, where visitors can observe constellations, planets and deep sky objects.
Events and activities at the observatory in the North York Moors
Dark Skies season officially kicks off from late August through to March so be sure to keep on eye on this webpage and Danby Lodge's Facebook page for updates.
The building is open every Friday from 11.30am to 3.30pm and you can chat to someone from Whitby Astronomical Society.
It's open for bookings if you'd like to use the space for your own activity/ event. See more information to hire the Dark Skies Station for private use.
This project was made possible thanks to a combination of funding sources, with special thanks to the generous support of The Wolfson Foundation and a legacy donation. The Wolfson Foundation is an independent charity committed to advancing education and research.