Ampleforth Abbey's journey to become dark skies friendly
Ampleforth Abbey has been home to a community of Benedictine monks since 1802. Nestled in a peaceful valley on the edge of the North York Moors National Park, the Abbey has long been guided by the natural rhythm of the seasons. Everyone who visits finds comfort in the tranquillity of this special place, where balance with nature is at the heart of daily life.
Despite its tranquil setting, the Abbey’s outdoor lighting, including fixtures around the Visitor Centre, café and shop, had gradually become intrusive. Harsh white tones, glare, and unnecessary upward beams of light were at odds with the calm environment and risked affecting the Abbey community’s rest, visitors’ experiences, and local nocturnal wildlife such as owls.
Working with the North York Moors National Park, Ampleforth Abbey became part of the Dark Skies Friendly Community scheme, supported by Anglo American through Section 106 funding. A full audit of over 100 lights was carried out across the Abbey grounds and surrounding buildings.
Following expert guidance, the Abbey community:
- Replaced outdated fittings with dark skies friendly alternatives
- Swapped harsh white bulbs for warmer light tones
- Adjusted projection angles to reduce glare and eliminate unnecessary upward light
These changes mean monks, residents, and visitors can move safely around the grounds after dark, while enjoying a more restful night’s sleep. Crucially, they also support the surrounding woodland ecosystem, ensuring habitats for nocturnal species are protected.
The project has strengthened Ampleforth Abbey’s long-standing commitment to living in harmony with nature:
“Ampleforth Abbey has been home to a community of Benedictine monks since 1802. The natural rhythm of the seasons dictates our life and work here in the valley, and everyone who visits us finds comfort in the peace and tranquillity of this special place. We seek to maintain this balance and harmony with nature, and participating in the Dark Skies project has enabled us to achieve this vital equilibrium, protecting the precious natural environment that we are blessed to call home.”
Ampleforth Abbey now stands as an inspiring example for other communities within the North York Moors and beyond, showing how practical lighting improvements can deliver multiple benefits for people, wildlife, and the night sky.
Mike Hawtin, the North York Moors National Park’s Head of Nature Recovery Projects and Dark Skies lead officer explains: “After the National Park became an International Dark Sky Reserve, it really focused people’s minds on how we could, not just protect, but enhance that status further.
“Since the village of Hawnby’s dark skies lighting project completed last year, there’s been a step change in the number of parishes and communities looking to achieve similar accreditation. People are realising just how much a dark sky needs to be cherished and this, together with a community’s sense of pride and passion for protecting their neighbourhood and wildlife, is creating the momentum. Together with North Yorkshire Council’s recent commitment to upgrading more streetlights, it means we can really make a big impact over the coming years.”