{"id":38857,"date":"2024-11-28T14:42:03","date_gmt":"2024-11-28T13:42:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/?p=38857"},"modified":"2024-11-29T17:49:04","modified_gmt":"2024-11-29T16:49:04","slug":"dark-skies-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/things-to-do\/dark-skies-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"Your guide to the Dark Skies Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Embark on a celestial journey like never before at the much-anticipated Dark Skies Festival \ud83c\udf1f<\/h2>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">Prepare to be enchanted by the brilliance of the night sky as you join fellow stargazers for an unforgettable experience. This year&#8217;s festival promises a constellation of engaging activities and we&#8217;ve got all the important info for you.<\/h4>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>What is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" class=\"wpel-icon-right\">Dark Skies Festival?<span class=\"wpel-icon wpel-image wpel-icon-6\"><\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"598\" height=\"422\" class=\"size-full wp-image-38869 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/travelodgeblog.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Dark-Skies-Festival.jpg\" alt=\"Dark Skies Festival\" srcset=\"https:\/\/travelodgeblog.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Dark-Skies-Festival.jpg 598w, https:\/\/travelodgeblog.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Dark-Skies-Festival-250x176.jpg 250w, https:\/\/travelodgeblog.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Dark-Skies-Festival-120x85.jpg 120w, https:\/\/travelodgeblog.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Dark-Skies-Festival-480x339.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 598px) 100vw, 598px\" \/>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" class=\"wpel-icon-right\">Dark Skies Festival<span class=\"wpel-icon wpel-image wpel-icon-6\"><\/span><\/a> is a cosmic celebration that invites stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts to experience the wonder of the night sky.<\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">During the festival, people gather from far and wide and let the stars take centre stage, away from the hustle and bustle of city lights. The festival events include captivating astronomy talks, hands-on workshops, and mesmerising telescope viewing sessions. It&#8217;s a unique opportunity to escape the glow of urban life and embrace the beauty of dark skies.<\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">Beyond the celestial show, these events aim to spread awareness about the importance of preserving our natural nightscapes. Whether you&#8217;re a seasoned astronomer or just a casual admirer of the cosmos, the Dark Skies Festival is a chance to connect with the night sky.<\/h4>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>The UK&#8217;s International Dark Sky Reserve<br \/>\n<\/strong>Where to go stargazing in the National Parks?<\/h3>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-40309 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/travelodgeblog.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/snowdonia-at-night.jpg\" alt=\"Snowdonia at night\" width=\"598\" height=\"422\" srcset=\"https:\/\/travelodgeblog.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/snowdonia-at-night.jpg 598w, https:\/\/travelodgeblog.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/snowdonia-at-night-250x176.jpg 250w, https:\/\/travelodgeblog.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/snowdonia-at-night-120x85.jpg 120w, https:\/\/travelodgeblog.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/snowdonia-at-night-480x339.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 598px) 100vw, 598px\" \/>\u2728 Lake District National Park<\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">\u2728 North York Moors National Park<\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">\u2728 Northumberland National Park<\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">\u2728 Peak District National Park<\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">\u2728 South Downs National Park<\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">\u2728 Yorkshire Dales National Park<\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">\u2728 Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)<\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">\u2728 Pembrokeshire Coast National Park<\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">\u2728 Cairngorms National Park<\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">\u2728 Eryri National Park (Snowdonia)<\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">\u2728 Exmoor National Park<\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a class=\"btn btn-blue wpel-icon-right\" href=\"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Book your stay today!<span class=\"wpel-icon wpel-image wpel-icon-6\"><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Upcoming 2025 events<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">North York Moors<\/h3>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">\ud83c\udf1f <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk\/north-york-moors-events\/northyorkmoors\/dark-skies-festival-night-walk-robin-hoods-bay2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" class=\"wpel-icon-right\">Dark Skies Festival Night Walk Robin Hood\u2019s Bay<span class=\"wpel-icon wpel-image wpel-icon-6\"><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>&#8211; This coastal walk begins and ends in Robin Hood&#8217;s Bay, a bustling smuggling hub during the 18th century brimming with tales of thieves and outlaws. This historical backdrop sets the stage for one of the most intriguing walking locations in the National Park. The contrast between the coastal landscape and the constellations overhead creates a unique and unforgettable experience.<\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-38870 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/travelodgeblog.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Dark-Skies-Festival-2024.jpg\" alt=\"Dark Skies Festival\" width=\"598\" height=\"422\" srcset=\"https:\/\/travelodgeblog.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Dark-Skies-Festival-2024.jpg 598w, https:\/\/travelodgeblog.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Dark-Skies-Festival-2024-250x176.jpg 250w, https:\/\/travelodgeblog.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Dark-Skies-Festival-2024-120x85.jpg 120w, https:\/\/travelodgeblog.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Dark-Skies-Festival-2024-480x339.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 598px) 100vw, 598px\" \/><\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">\ud83c\udf1f <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk\/north-york-moors-events\/northyorkmoors\/big-dark-skies-festival-birthday-bash-at-sutton-bank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" class=\"wpel-icon-right\">Big Dark Skies Festival Birthday Bash at Sutton Bank<span class=\"wpel-icon wpel-image wpel-icon-6\"><\/span><\/a> <\/strong>&#8211; Get ready to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Dark Skies Festival and elevate your stargazing knowledge at Sutton Bank, alongside expert astronomers Richard Darn and Neill Sanders. Beginning at the Nature and Star Hub, discover a beginner-friendly guide to the cosmos as well as fascinating tips on catching the Northern Lights.<\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">Then experience the awe-inspiring views of the night sky for yourself! Capture the magic of the night using an incredible array of astro equipment.<\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">Stay nearby<\/h4>\n<div class=\"sdstaynearby\">\n<div class=\"sdcol2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/hotels\/371\/Middlesbrough-hotel?sb=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer external\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-radius: 10px;\" src=\"https:\/\/media.travelodge.co.uk\/image\/upload\/v1675260555\/ecrm\/hotels-digi\/GB0307.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"sdcol2 sdlast\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/hotels\/396\/Scarborough-St-Nicholas-hotel?sb=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer external\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-radius: 10px;\" src=\"https:\/\/media.travelodge.co.uk\/image\/upload\/v1675260555\/ecrm\/hotels-digi\/GB0921.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a class=\"btn btn-blue wpel-icon-right\" href=\"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/search\/results?location=North+Yorkshire&amp;lat=&amp;long=&amp;action=search&amp;source=l&amp;sb=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Search deals<span class=\"wpel-icon wpel-image wpel-icon-6\"><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Yorkshire Dales<\/h3>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">\ud83c\udf1f\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yorkshiredales.org.uk\/whats-on\/broughton-by-night-2024-2025\/2025-02-07\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" class=\"wpel-icon-right\">Broughton By Night <span class=\"wpel-icon wpel-image wpel-icon-6\"><\/span><\/a>&#8211;<\/strong> For thousands of years, we&#8217;ve looked to the skies. And this Dark Skies Festival discover this exclusive opportunity to immerse yourself in the wonders of the skies and connect with nature at the <a href=\"https:\/\/broughtonsanctuary.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" class=\"wpel-icon-right\">Broughton Sanctuary<span class=\"wpel-icon wpel-image wpel-icon-6\"><\/span><\/a>. Joined by astronomer Chris Higgins, explore the intricate wonders of our solar system as you marvel at the cosmos up close.<\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">The Broughton By Night event is \u00a342pp, plus 50% of all bookings contribute to Broughton Sanctuary&#8217;s nature recovery program. Meaning you&#8217;ll to be part of the conservation efforts while enjoying your celestial exploration.<\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"598\" height=\"422\" class=\"size-full wp-image-38871 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/travelodgeblog.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Dark-Skies.jpg\" alt=\"Dark Skies Festival\" srcset=\"https:\/\/travelodgeblog.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Dark-Skies.jpg 598w, https:\/\/travelodgeblog.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Dark-Skies-250x176.jpg 250w, https:\/\/travelodgeblog.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Dark-Skies-120x85.jpg 120w, https:\/\/travelodgeblog.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Dark-Skies-480x339.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 598px) 100vw, 598px\" \/><\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">\ud83c\udf1f <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yorkshiredales.org.uk\/whats-on\/pizza-planet-beginners-bike-activity-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" class=\"wpel-icon-right\">Pizza Planet Beginners Bike Activity<span class=\"wpel-icon wpel-image wpel-icon-6\"><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>&#8211; Indulge in a unique cosmic experience at the Firebox Cafe at Stage 1 Cycles. You&#8217;ll start your afternoon with some cooking fun in the Firebox Cafe, making your own delicious pizza creation. Then work up an appetite with a fascinating bike ride tour following a star trail and spotting planets. This bike ride is completely traffic-free, making it the perfect activity for beginner cyclists. Parents are encouraged to walk alongside their children &#8211; but don&#8217;t forget to book a bike and helmet!<\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">\ud83c\udf1f\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yorkshiredales.org.uk\/whats-on\/25-introduction-to-the-wonders-of-the-night-sky\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" class=\"wpel-icon-right\">Introduction to the Wonders of the Night Sky<span class=\"wpel-icon wpel-image wpel-icon-6\"><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>&#8211;\u00a0Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what all those twinkling lights are? Ever dreamed of being able to identify constellations and navigate by the stars? Well, the wait is over! Join the Yorkshire Dales National Park&#8217;s informative &#8220;Introduction to the Wonders of the Night Sky&#8221;.<\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">This special session, led by the Friends of the Dales and the Keighley Astronomical Society, is perfect for anyone curious about the universe. It&#8217;s part learning, part hands-on adventure! You&#8217;ll learn the basics of astronomy, how to &#8220;read&#8221; star charts and even create your own planisphere. Perfect for kids over six and adults alike, this event caters to beginners and novice stargazers. Tickets are just \u00a35 (free for those under 18).<\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">Stay nearby<\/h4>\n<div class=\"sdstaynearby\">\n<div class=\"sdcol2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/hotels\/221\/Scotch-Corner-Skeeby-hotel?sb=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer external\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-radius: 10px;\" src=\"https:\/\/media.travelodge.co.uk\/image\/upload\/v1675260555\/ecrm\/hotels-digi\/GB0301.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"sdcol2 sdlast\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/hotels\/219\/Scotch-Corner-A1-Southbound-hotel?sb=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer external\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-radius: 10px;\" src=\"https:\/\/media.travelodge.co.uk\/image\/upload\/v1675260555\/ecrm\/hotels-digi\/GB0312.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a class=\"btn btn-blue wpel-icon-right\" href=\"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/search\/results?location=Yorkshire+Dales&amp;lat=&amp;long=&amp;action=hotel_amend&amp;sb=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Search deals<span class=\"wpel-icon wpel-image wpel-icon-6\"><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Embark on a celestial journey like never before at the much-anticipated Dark Skies Festival \ud83c\udf1f Prepare to be enchanted by the brilliance of the night sky as you join fellow stargazers for an unforgettable experience. This year&#8217;s festival promises a constellation of engaging activities and we&#8217;ve got all the important info for you. What is [&hellip;]","protected":false},"author":116,"featured_media":38858,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1361],"tags":[1813],"class_list":["post-38857","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-things-to-do","tag-winter"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38857","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/116"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38857"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38857\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38858"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38857"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38857"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38857"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}