Some of the darkest skies in England are found in the North Pennines.

Much of the area is remote, wild countryside with little development to light up the night sky.

Ninebanks Youth Hostel, in the North Pennines, experiences some of the darkest skies in England. Much of the area is remote, wild countryside with little development and the views of the night sky are crystal clear. There are 16 official Dark Sky Discovery Sites  in the area, where (during the winter) Orion and the Milky Way can also be seen with the naked eye.  These locations have been recognized by Edinburgh Observatory as a fantastic places for amateur and professional astronomers to stargaze.  You can find out where they are here.