Best Stargazing Spots in and Around London
You probably think that stargazing in London is pretty much impossible. With so many buildings and streetlights generating light pollution every night, any glance towards the heavens normally means a sky full of dark orange glow rather than black twinkly stars.
But if you’re willing to travel a little further afield, there are plenty of much darker skies to be found within easy reach of London. Some of them are still inside the M25. Combine them with a fascinating night hike, and you can enjoy an overnight adventure within easy reach of the capital.
In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best places to see stars in England’s capital and the surrounding area, and highlight some top class walking routes that take them in.
When is best to go stargazing in London?
As with any location, the right weather conditions are essential for good stargazing in London. A clear night without cloud cover is a must, but you should also ideally aim for the few days every month around a new moon. The sunlight reflected from a full moon can make it harder to pick out surrounding stars, so a new moon provides the darkest possible skies.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that the winter months give you far more hours of darkness than summer. In December, the sun sets in London as early as 3:51pm. This means you can often go stargazing in the evening when more transport options are available, rather than heading out late at night.
Once you’ve picked your route, make sure to check that it’s open and safe to walk at night. If it isn’t, you may want to tackle it in the afternoon and stay for stargazing after dusk.
Is it possible to go stargazing in central London?
The levels of light pollution in and around central London make stargazing through the naked eye or even binoculars very difficult. There are, however, observatories with powerful telescopes that often hold public events, including those at Hampstead and Kenley.
A look at the CPRE Dark Skies Map suggests the nearest large open space to central London with only moderate light pollution is Richmond Park. This vast green space in south west London is normally open to pedestrians at night, except during some periods of winter deer management.
If you want to try spotting stars without venturing too far from Zone 1, Richmond Park may be one of your best options.
Where is the best place for stargazing inside the M25?
For this, you’ll have to head south and east. CPRE’s Dark Skies Map suggests the darkest skies inside the M25 can be found around Biggin Hill. Looking south and east, away from London, should provide the best views on a clear night.
This relatively straightforward route offers several viewpoints across the North Downs. Further south, on the other side of Biggin Hill, you’ll find Betsom’s Hill, the highest point in the North Downs at 251 metres above sea level.
What are the best stargazing opportunities near London?
Naturally, because of London’s light pollution, your chances of finding dark skies improve significantly as you move further away from the city centre.
These four locations are all just outside the M25.
Toys Hill, Kent
South east of Westerham within the North Downs, Toys Hill is a popular stargazing location with unrestricted night time access and parking. Looking south provides the best views, with few major settlements across the High Weald landscape.
Epping Green, Essex
The village of Epping Green, south of Harlow, sits close to both the M25 and M11, yet offers surprisingly peaceful conditions for stargazing.
It is also accessible via public transport. Epping Underground station is only a few miles away, making it possible to plan an overnight adventure using the Central Line.
Northaw Great Wood, Hertfordshire
Northaw Great Wood lies west of Cuffley and far enough from the lights of the M25 and A1(M) to provide excellent stargazing conditions.
The selected route is relatively long but mostly gentle towards the end. It starts and finishes at mainline railway stations, making it another excellent option for walkers using public transport.
Wotton Common and Leith Hill, Surrey
The Surrey Hills have long been a favourite escape for Londoners seeking countryside, and they also offer excellent opportunities for stargazing.
This short but hilly route takes you to the summit of Leith Hill at 287 metres above sea level. From here, you’ll enjoy expansive views and some of the darkest skies in the area looking south and west.
