There’s something special about the night sky in Yorkshire. Step outside your tent or glamping pod at Prospect House Farm, and you’ll find a darkness that feels almost forgotten, deep, peaceful, and alive with stars. Out here, just outside Scarborough, the skies still belong to the night, and on a clear evening, they’ll take your breath away.
That’s because we’re part of the North York Moors National Park, one of only a handful of officially designated International Dark Sky Reserves in the world. Whether you’re here for a quiet camping break, a romantic glamping getaway, or a weekend of slow living, this is the perfect place to switch off and look up.
What Is a Dark Sky Reserve?
A Dark Sky Reserve is an area recognised for its exceptionally clear night skies and low light pollution. The North York Moors achieved this prestigious status in 2020, joining a global network of places that protect the beauty of natural darkness.
Here, streetlights are few, stars are plentiful, and local communities work together to keep the skies clear for future generations. It’s not just about stargazing it’s about protecting nocturnal wildlife, reducing energy waste, and reconnecting people with something truly timeless.
At Prospect House Farm, we’re proud to be working towards becoming an officially Dark Skies Friendly business, supported by the North York Moors National Park Authority. Our site already uses low-impact lighting designed to preserve the view above while keeping pathways safely lit.
What You’ll See in Yorkshire’s Night Sky
You don’t need to be an astronomer to appreciate what’s above you here. On a clear night, even with the naked eye, you can see thousands of stars. Far more than in any town or city.
Here’s what to look for through the seasons:
- The Milky Way – a hazy river of light stretching across the sky from autumn through early spring.
- Meteor showers – the Perseids in August and the Geminids in December are two of the most spectacular.
- Planets – Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus are often visible to the naked eye.
- The Moon – when full, it casts a silver glow across the countryside, making it perfect for night photography.
- The Northern Lights – very occasionally, the aurora can be seen from North Yorkshire. Watch as it paints the sky with a faint green or pink shimmer.
The best time to stargaze is from October to March, when nights are longer and darker. But, even summer brings soft, starry evenings that pair beautifully with campfires or late-night dips in the hot tub.
How to Stargaze Like a Pro
You don’t need fancy equipment to enjoy the show. The key is to slow down, stay a while, and let your eyes adjust to the dark. Here are a few easy tips to make the most of your night under Yorkshire’s skies:
- Check the forecast on Clear Outside or Met Office before heading out.
- Avoid nights near the full moon, darker skies mean brighter stars.
- Let your eyes adjust for 15–20 minutes before using a torch.
- Use a red-light torch or phone app to protect your night vision.
- Bring a pair of binoculars, they’re perfect for spotting craters on the moon or Jupiter’s moons.
- Download a free app like Star Walk 2, Night Sky, or Sky Guide to help identify constellations.
- Wrap up warm, bring a blanket or sleeping bag, and a flask of something hot.
Stargazing at Prospect House Farm
At Prospect House Farm, we’re lucky to have some of the darkest skies in the park. Open countryside, no streetlights, and just the soft glow of festoon lighting around the glamping pods.
For campers, that means evenings around the firepit, watching sparks rise into the night as the first stars appear. The quiet of the fields and the distant sound of the sea make it easy to forget there’s anywhere else to be.
For glampers, it’s about stepping from the warmth of your pod into the cool night air, sliding into your private hot tub, and watching constellations appear one by one. You’ll never look at the night sky the same way again.
We’re working with the North York Moors National Park Authority to become a certified Dark Skies Friendly business. This means providing guides, binoculars, and other thoughtful touches to help guests enjoy self-led stargazing experiences right from their pitch or pod.
You can also explore the Park’s Stargazing and Dark Skies Guide for constellation maps, photography tips, and night-sky events.
NYMNP – Stargazing and Dark Skies
What to expect and what we provide here on site:
- We do have binoculars that people can borrow, and a telescope that people can use with supervision from staff on site.
- It’s recommended to bring warm clothes when you are out at night, but we do have outdoor blankets to wrap up warm should you forget them.
- On occasion, we do expect people to arrive back at site late if they’ve been out at stargazing events across the park.
- We have some basic paper guides and books for people to use when they’re on site.
- There is a shop on site selling a range of provisions.
- But most of all we are proud of being part of a Dark Sky Reserve, and very much enjoy all that that means for the site. We are keen photographers and particularly enjoy photographing the northern lights. And we also love stargazing. So join us and share in this amazing place.
Yorkshire’s Dark Sky Festival
Every February, the Dark Skies Festival celebrates everything the night sky has to offer, with events across the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales, from night walks and telescope sessions to astrophotography and storytelling under the stars.
If you’re staying with us during the festival, it’s the perfect excuse to mix adventure with calm: spend the day exploring the coast or moors, then head back to your pod or tent for your own private stargazing session.
Protecting the Night
Being part of a Dark Sky Reserve means more than admiring the stars — it’s about protecting them. That’s why we’ve taken care to use low-level, warm-toned lighting across the site, reducing light spill and helping nocturnal wildlife thrive.
By visiting, you’re supporting this effort. Every guest who chooses to camp or glamp in a dark-sky area helps show that sustainable tourism and nature can go hand in hand.
Final Thoughts: Yorkshire’s Sky Is Worth the Wait
As the last light fades over the fields, the sky deepens to indigo. One by one, the stars appear, not faint pinpricks, but bold, bright points of light. Whether you’re wrapped up by the fire or soaking in a hot tub, there’s a moment when everything goes still.
It’s simple, really. The best view in Yorkshire isn’t always found on a clifftop or a trail, sometimes, it’s right above you.
Come and experience it for yourself. Book your camping or glamping stay at Prospect House Farm, and discover why nights under Yorkshire’s Dark Skies are truly unforgettable.
