The Yorkshire Dales Dark Skies Festival 2022
A bit of star gazing…
The Dark Skies Festival 2022.
Have you ever been star gazing?
No, I don’t mean grabbing a fancy telescope and naming every constellation in sight, I mean just looking up, and marvelling at the absolute magic that is the universe?!
Bloomin’ love stars, I’m not an expert, but for as long as I can remember, I have always been in awe of the sheer number of them, like somebody has loaded a paintbrush with sparkling white paint, and sprayed it all over the velvet sky….
Listen to me, I’m getting all poetic!
Anyway, after that introduction, you’ll be unsurprised to know that we are MEGA excited to be headed out to the heart of the Dark Skies Reserve that is the Yorkshire Dales for a few days during the Dark Skies Festival.
Exploring at night!
But what on earth is the Dark Skies Festival?
Since 2016, The Yorkshire Dales and The North York Moors have hosted the Dark Skies Event. Some of the best places to go and stargaze are in our National Parks, with the impact from light pollution being at its bare minimum. The Festival aims to encourage an interest in all things interstellar, celebrate the twinkle and educate about the negative effects of light pollution on nature.
What’s on in the Yorkshire Dales for kids during the Dark Skies Festival?
So. Much Stuff! Read on to find out!
Aysgarth Falls Planet Trail
Date: February 18 - March 6
Location: Wensleydale, Yorkshire Dales National Park
Cost: Booking is not required.
This self guided tour takes you around Freeholders Woods, which are located right next to Aysgarth Falls. The trail is 1.5km and takes in the waterfalls as well. Trail sheets are available from the Yorkshire Dales Centre.
If you want to find out more about the walk itself, check out our Aysgarth Falls and Freeholder’s Wood walk description!
Moon gazing!
Dark Skies Crafts in the Creation Station
Location: The Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, Wensleydale
Date: February 18 at 10am - March 6 at 4pm
Cost: Admission to the Dales Countryside Museum, £4.80 Adults, Kids go free. No booking required.
Drop into the Dales Countryside Museum and as well as exploring the history of the Yorkshire Dales, take part in some crafty activities, helping to learn about nocturnal animals and exploring the Dales’ skies traditions!
Nature’s Night Time Marvels
Location: Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, Wensleydale
Date: Wednesday 23 February 2022 10am - 4pm
Cost: Admission to the Dales Countryside Museum, £4.80 Adults, Kids go free. No booking required.
The Dales Countryside Museum is THE place to be this year! This event aims to teach about all the creatures who venture out at night under the stars! In association with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, you will even get the change to decorate your own bat biscuit!
Rocket Making and Solar System Fun
Location: Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes
Date: Thursday 24 February 2022 10am - 4pm
Cost: Admission to the Dales Countryside Museum, £4.80 Adults, Kids go free. No booking required.
It’s a hat-trick of interstellar fun at the Dales Countryside Museum! This event is a family friendly talk by expert astronomer Richard Darn. You will also have the opportunity to make and launch your own rocket at the Firebox Cafe!
Watching the Moon….
Bike Ride and Pizza Planet Party
Date: Friday 25 February 3pm - 5pm
Location: Stage 1 Cycles, Hawes, Wensleydale
Cost: £10 (price includes pizza and ice cream), Booking to be made via Stage 1 Cycles. Bikes and Helmets are also available for hire.
Follow the trail of stars to the sun! And if you make it all the way, you will be treated to a pizza making session at the Firebox Cafe in the Dales Countryside Museum!
The trail is in a traffic free area, and is suitable for beginners upwards.
Find the booking information for this event on the Stage 1 Cycles Facebook Page.
Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail - Dark Skies Planet Trail
Date: February 11 - March 6
Location: Clapham, Yorkshire Dales
Cost: Admission to the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail is £1 Adult, 50p per child.
This 2.5 mile walk takes you through the stunning Ingleborough Nature Trail and to Ingleborough Cave (self guided tours are available with no pre-booking required. Cave visit comes at an additional cost). During the event, it will be transformed into a life sized representation of the solar system! Tickets can be purchased at the Estate Trail ticket office or machine (change required).
For more information about the trail check out our Ingleborough Estate walk!
Sunset at Stump Cross Caverns
Suitable for the Older Kids…
Dark Skies at Stump Cross Caverns
Date: 24 February 2022, 6.30pm - 9pm
Location: Greenhow Hill, Yorkshire Dales
Cost: Adult: £20, Child £15 pre-booking is required
Head to Stump Cross Caverns for an hour long beginners guide to the night sky, using an interactive planetarium, to recreate the stars above Stump Cross Caverns. The tickets also include admission to the cave for a UV tour (this takes place in the dark) and a 1 hour stargazing experience.
There is also the option to order a curry, rice and naan bread, which is served at 7pm.
You can find the booking information on the Stump Cross Caverns Website.
Meet the Stars of Gill Garth Farm
Date: February 25 2022, 5pm - 8pm
Location: Gill Garth Farm, Selside (near Ribblehead)
Cost: £5 per person - booking is essential
Visit the family run farm, and meet the animals. The experience will then take you on a short walk up the side of Ingleborough, in the company of expert astronomer Richard Darn to see the stars in this remote Yorkshire Dales location.
You can find the booking details on the Yorkshire Dales Darks Skies Festival Website.