Wales' Elan Valley Estate: A Top Spot for Stargazing During the Supermoon
Get ready for the year's closest and brightest supermoon on November 5th! One of the best places to witness this celestial event is right here in Wales. The Beaver Moon supermoon will be the closest the Moon has been to Earth since February 2019, at a distance of 221,818 miles.
A travel company has ranked the world's top stargazing destinations, and the Elan Valley Estate in Wales has earned its spot among the best. Inghams Walking, a trusted source for walking holidays, evaluated over 122 locations based on stargazer reviews and Google search popularity. The Elan Valley Estate secured the 9th position, becoming the only UK stargazing spot in the top 15, boasting a 4.7-star rating on Google and AllTrails.
As a Dark Sky park, the Elan Valley Estate has gone to great lengths to protect the night sky. DarkSky.org recognizes it for its management, location, public access, resources, and exceptional night sky quality. This makes it an ideal location to observe the supermoon without the interference of fireworks.
While the majority of Dark Sky parks are in the USA, Europe also has its share of these celestial havens. The Elan Valley Estate joins Greece's Ainos National Park on Kefalonia and De Borshplaat in the Netherlands in the top 10. These parks are essential for preserving the natural darkness of the night sky.
Located in the Cambrian Mountains, the Elan Valley Trust has dedicated itself to safeguarding the night environment and educating visitors about the fragility of dark skies. Before stargazing, visitors can explore the area's rolling hills, dams, and bridges.
Inghams Walking also provides guidelines for responsible stargazing, emphasizing the importance of preserving the environment. Here are their recommendations:
- Leave No Trace: Take all your belongings with you, including food waste, to ensure the natural environment remains untouched.
- Stay on Designated Trails: Stick to established paths to minimize soil erosion and environmental damage.
- Avoid Taking Souvenirs: Maintain the ecosystem by not removing plants, flowers, or animal parts. Report any significant discoveries to local authorities.
For more information on the world's best Dark Sky stargazing experiences, visit the Inghams Walking website. Support Wales' independent, not-for-profit news service by contributing a small monthly donation.
