Stargazing & Walking Weekend – Yorkshire Dales
Go starry eyed with a weekend of sociable guided walks and stargazing in the Yorkshire Dales National Park - an International Dark Sky Reserve.
Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration: 2 nights
Accommodation: Bunkhouse
Group Size: Maximum 18
Level: Leisurely Plus
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs
In a Nutshell:
Enjoy the solitude of the stunning Yorkshire Dales location and comfort in the cosy bunkhouse.
Be amazed at the celestial wonders during our stargazing sessions in this International Dark Sky Reserve.
Feel refreshed with leisurely walks through the Yorkshire Dales National Park’s spectacular scenery.
Join in the banter and fun that comes with spending time in a sociable group.
Collections: Weekend Adventures : Yorkshire Dales : Dark Skies - Stargazing : Twin & Double Rooms
How do we grade our walks?
There’s an easy-going vibe for this autumn stargazing and walking weekend, where we feast our eyes on the heavens above the Yorkshire Dales…
Imagine a 17th century stone farmhouse tucked away at the foot of Whernside - one of the iconic Yorkshire Three Peaks in the Yorkshire Dales National Park - with views across to another icon, the Ribblehead Viaduct.
This is our location at Broadrake Bunkbarn, which has been converted from a farm into lovely group accommodation in an incredible dark skies location. It really is a stargazer’s paradise!
We might be surrounded by some of Yorkshire’s highest peaks but we’ll be admiring them rather than tackling their tougher ascents, as we follow Leisurely Plus routes for the two days’ of walking (learn how we grade our walks). You’ll have an expert Large Outdoors guide leading the way.
Each evening, we’ll be providing home-cooked meals at Broadrake, before we step outside and turn our eyes to the skies for some informal stargazing using our powerful telescopes and interpretation from our stargazing guide.
The Orion Nebula - photographed during a Large Outdoors Dark Skies & Stargazing Experience
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
We’ll be running a limited number of complimentary Pickups at 6:05pm to meet the train coming in from Leeds (and Returns on Day 3 after the walk) from Ribblehead Train Station, if you’d prefer not to or don’t drive. As places are limited, please select this optional ‘Extra’ when booking, subject to availability.
Otherwise, feel free to arrive at Broadrake anytime from 5pm onwards as your Large Outdoors host will be there dishing out cups of tea as people arrive, before serving dinner at 8pm.
Over dinner we’ll outline the plans for the weekend ahead and then, once the main meal and cheeseboard has been devoured, we’ll set up the telescopes outside and take you on a tour of the celestial beauties in the night sky - weather permitting of course! We’ll have a range of telescopes with us, including our digital telescope, ‘Stellina’ (by Vaonis). This incredible piece of kit can create images of the celestial bodies we see on the night, enabling you to take home a digital souvenir!
Day 2
After breakfast, and having packed up our lunch, we head out for a walk that makes the most of the stunning surroundings. As well as soaking up the wild beauty of the open moorland and the impressive limestone scenery, we’ll get close up to the impressive viaduct so you can marvel at the Victorian’s engineering ingenuity.
On the way back, there’s the opportunity to pop into the Old Hill Inn for a drink before returning to Broadrake, relaxing and then tucking into the evening meal. We then step outside for a second night of stargazing. If the weather lets us down, our guide will be able to offer a tour of the night sky via a presentation from indoors, as well as sharing top tips for identifying the constellations and galaxies.
Day 3
After a leisurely breakfast, we pack up and leave Broadrake. Today’s walk will again be graded as Leisurely Plus, following a circular route that ventures in a different direction from the previous day.
Our aim is to finish the walk by lunchtime, to give people sufficient time for their onward travel. We hope you’ll leave the Yorkshire Dales relaxed, refreshed and with plenty of starry tales.
Please note: on some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport (unless you’ve booked the Pickup service) and participants normally car share.
Dark Skies - Stargazing
This experience forms a part of the Large Outdoors Dark Skies & Stargazing collection. Join us for an array of night-time adventures, from weekend getaways to night walks and stargazing experiences.
Good to Know
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Meeting Time: from 5pm
You can arrive any time from 5pm - the Large Outdoors host will be at the accommodation to welcome you. Dinner will be served around 8pm so if you intend to arrive later than this, please ensure you have something to eat on the way.Pickup (Day 1): We are offering a limited number of complimentary Pickups from Ribblehead Train Station at 6:05pm (to meet the train coming in from Leeds). As places are limited, please select this optional ‘Extra’ when booking, subject to availability.
Return (Day 3): If booking the Pickup, we will also return you to Ribblehead Train Station on the final day, after the walk. Please book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility with the return time.
Meeting Location:
Broadrake
Chapel-le-Dale
Ingleton
LA6 3AX
Please note this is not accurate for Sat Nav directions, so please follow the instructions below.Directions:
From Ingleton, take the B6255 signposted Hawes: About 4 miles out from Ingleton, go past a sign to Chapel-le-Dale Church (don't turn here).Up the hill a few hundred yards further is the Old School Bunkhouse on the left.Turn left immediately after the Bunkhouse Car Park.
The Old Hill Inn is 100yds further on the right, so if you get there you've gone too far. You are now on Philpin Lane, a single-track road heading for a farm.
Follow the lane through the farmyard then through fields for about 3/4 mile. You will cross 5 cattle grids then at the end of the metalled road and you should spot, just before what would be the 6th cattle grid, a "No Parking" notice and low-down on the right a sign for Broadrake.
Turn right here before the cattle grid following the unmade track along the side of a couple of fields and a final cattle grid on the corner to arrive at Broadrake.From Ribblehead, take the B6255 signposted Ingleton:
About 1 .5 miles from Ribblehead, pass the Old Hill Inn on the left and turn right immediately before the Old School Bunkhouse car park. It's a sharp right almost coming back on yourself.
You are now on Philpin Lane so follow the directions from there as above.(If you’ve missed the right turn at the end of the metalled road, you'll end up at Ellerbeck after 3/4 mile of rough farm track - so be careful here!)
Parking: There is free parking available at the accommodation.
Public Transport: Unfortunately, the meeting location for this Large Outdoors experience is not directly accessible by public transport. The nearest train station is Ribblehead - see Pickup option above (availability is limited and must be pre-booked).
Please Note: on some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport (unless you have booked the Pickup service) and participants normally car share.
Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 1pm and 3pm - the exact finish time may depend on the planned/chosen activity, group dynamic, weather conditions, whether the group chooses to grab a coffee or lunch together during/after, etc. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility.
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We’ve taken over Broadrake, a beautiful top notch bunkhouse in the hamlet of Chapel-Le-Dale for this weekend.
The accommodation boasts a large open-plan dining and lounge area, picnic tables with breathtaking views of the Ribblehead Viaduct, and handy Wi-Fi. There’s a dedicated drying room and fantastic facilities throughout. We’re sure you’ll fall in love with the place!
Bedding is supplied in all rooms but please bring a towel and your own toiletries.
Accommodation Address:
Broadrake
Chapel-le-Dale
Ingleton
LA6 3AX
Please note this is not accurate for Sat Nav directions, so please follow the ‘Directions’ outlined in the Meeting Location & Time section.Room Types:
You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
Bed in a Shared Female Room
Bed in a Shared Male Room
Twin Room (shared bathroom)At this hostel there are primarily Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a dorm room - with bunk beds - with other participants (room sizes vary and bathrooms are shared). There are also some Twin Rooms (with two single beds), which sleep up to two participants booking together (bathrooms are shared with other rooms).
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Included:
2 nights’ accommodation at Broadrake Bunkbarn.
A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you, deal with meal preparation and the logistics for your experience.
Stargazing sessions on two evenings (Day 1 and Day 2), with telescopes and expert interpretation.
Guided walks on two days (Day 2 and Day 3) in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Home-cooked set 2-course dinners at the accommodation on both evenings.
A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).
A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for Day 2’s walk.
Tea (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and squash at the accommodation.
Bedding - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.
The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.
Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.
Not Included:
Travel to and from the meeting location.
Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door. On some days there could be a short drive required - we don't include transport and participants normally car share.
Bottled water - tap water and squash are available at the accommodation, so please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up and take out with you.
Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation.
Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.
Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.
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Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.
The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should have the items listed.
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The rolling hills and well-known Yorkshire Three Peaks of the Yorkshire Dales National Park can be found rising above the tranquil villages and sheep fields of the valleys. These are some of the most iconic views of northern England. Built up over millennia at the bottom of the sea, the rocks that form the hills have since been sculpted by ice into their present forms. They now harbour unique wildlife communities and offer views that stretch over the moors of Yorkshire and west to Cumbria and the sea.
The area is popular with a range of walkers, as the lower hills can provide a gentler challenge than more mountainous regions, and the great path network will often lead you to back to a local pub or tearoom.
Book your Stargazing & Walking Weekend – Yorkshire Dales
This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.