Gallery - Signature Dark Skies Weekend – North York Moors
This Gallery Relates to the following trip from Large Outdoors:
Signature - Dark Skies Weekend in the North York Moors
🔗 https://www.largeoutdoors.com/signature-dark-skies-weekend-in-the-north-york-moors
Discover our full list of events in the North York Moors National Park here…
Explore our full range of Stargazing Adventures here…
The Large Outdoors Signature Dark Skies Weekend in the North York Moors combined walking with incredible stargazing experiences. We stayed at the Fox and Hounds Inn, where we met a mix of new and returning participants—some even joining for the third time! After a trip briefing and dinner, we headed outside for an introduction to the night sky, but with cloud cover limiting visibility, John guided us through a fascinating planetarium presentation indoors.
Saturday brought spectacular weather—blue skies and sunshine, perfect for exploring the moors. Our walk took us through Danby, past woodlands where we spotted goldcrests, Britain’s smallest bird, and on towards Danby Low Moor. We enjoyed views over Commondale, spotted curlews among the recently burned heather, and passed ancient tumuli before reaching Freebrough Hill and Siss Cross. A stop at the National Park Visitor Centre meant time to relax with coffee and cake before heading back.
That evening, clear skies allowed for an incredible stargazing session behind the inn. With five telescopes set up, we viewed Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter with its Galilean moons, as well as distant galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. Everyone had a go at capturing images of the moon through the telescope, and the smart telescope, Stellina, took some fantastic astrophotography shots to share as mementos.
Sunday’s walk took us across Ainthorpe Rigg, past a Bronze Age cairn circle, and down into Little Fryup Dale. On the return, we passed Danby Castle, where Catherine Parr is believed to have stayed, before crossing Duck Bridge. Back at the Fox and Hounds Inn, we said our goodbyes—already planning our next adventure!
