The Dark Skies Festival returns this winter, inviting visitors to Yorkshire to slow down, look up and reconnect with one of nature’s most extraordinary spectacles. Running from 13 February to 1 March, the North York Moors Dark Skies Festival celebrates the region’s status as an International Dark Sky Reserve, one of only 25 locations worldwide recognised for exceptional night-sky quality.
Why the North York Moors Is One of the World’s Best Stargazing Destinations
Designated an International Dark Sky Reserve in December 2020, the North York Moors offers exceptionally low light pollution, allowing visitors to spot up to 2,000 stars at any one time in its darkest areas. During the festival, astronomers, photographers and outdoor experts guide guests through constellations, distant galaxies and celestial phenomena, making this one of the most immersive dark skies experiences in the UK.
Coastal Stargazing at Hotel Victoria, Robin Hood’s Bay
For those seeking a refined base during the Dark Skies Festival Yorkshire, Hotel Victoria in Robin Hood’s Bay stands out as a destination in its own right. Recently accepted into the National Park’s Dark Skies Friendly Scheme, the iconic Victorian hotel occupies a dramatic clifftop position where the sea meets the stars.
The 30-bedroom hotel combines open fires, elegant interiors and sweeping coastal views, creating a relaxed yet luxurious retreat for festival-goers who prefer comfort alongside adventure.
Stay and Gaze Luxury Breaks Under the Stars
During the festival, Hotel Victoria has launched a bespoke ‘Stay and Gaze’ two-night package designed to help guests fully immerse themselves in the night sky. The experience includes a three-course dinner, traditional afternoon tea, and access to terrace stargazing with blankets and torches provided.
As temperatures drop, guests can warm up with indulgent winter drinks including a Hot Port cocktail, mulled wine and luxury hot chocolate — perfect companions for late-night constellation spotting.
A Galaxy-Inspired Menu Created for the Festival
Food plays a starring role during the North York Moors Dark Skies Festival, with Head Chef Ryan Osborne unveiling a limited-edition dessert inspired by the cosmos. From a Galaxy Far Away features an Italian meringue night-sky dome, wild berry compote, spiced ‘moon landing’ crumb and chocolate-covered Morello cherries, adding a playful yet indulgent flourish to the festival experience.
Osborne’s Restaurant and the hotel’s Sea-View Garden and Terrace offer panoramic coastal views, providing a dramatic and atmospheric setting for dinner before an evening under the stars.
Festival Highlights Across the North York Moors
Beyond Robin Hood’s Bay, the Dark Skies Festival programme stretches across the National Park with events suitable for all ages and interests. Highlights include smuggler-themed night walks through Robin Hood’s Bay, lantern-led ghost walks blending folklore and history, and moon-bathing coastal walks exploring astronomy alongside the geology of the shoreline.
Photography enthusiasts can join the Whitby Night Photography Workshop, learning how to capture harbour lights reflected on calm waters, while guided night walks in Goathland lead visitors through Heartbeat Country to the dramatic Mallyan Spout waterfall.
Danby Lodge Dark Skies Station and Guided Stargazing
A key moment in this year’s Dark Skies Festival Yorkshire is the launch of the new Dark Skies Station at Danby Lodge National Park Centre, Danby, Whitby, North Yorkshire YO21 2NB. The station hosts guided stargazing sessions, teaching visitors how to navigate the night sky, identify asterisms and constellations, and observe celestial objects through powerful telescopes.
A Winter Festival Designed to Slow You Down
With events running throughout February and into early March, the North York Moors Dark Skies Festival offers a rare opportunity to disconnect from everyday distractions and reconnect with the natural world. For travellers over 40, it delivers the perfect balance of learning, luxury, landscape and quiet wonder — with the added magic of some of the darkest skies in Britain.
For further information and the full programme, visit darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk or www.victoriarhb.com.
Main image: Robin Hood’s Bay Milky Way Credit Tony Marsh