Cranborne Chase International Dark Sky Reserve
Dark sky glamping in the Cranborne Chase
One of the darkest skies in southern England. No electricity, no light pollution - just stars.
7-day stargazing forecast for Chalke Valley Camping
Next new moon in 12 days - the darkest skies for stargazing
Why here
One of England's darkest skies
Chalke Valley Camping sits within the Cranborne Chase International Dark Sky Reserve - one of only a handful in England. The entire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has been designated for the quality of its night sky.
With no mains electricity on site and the nearest house half a kilometre away, there is virtually no light pollution.
Cranborne Chase was the first AONB in England to receive this designation, covering 380 square miles across Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire and Somerset. Our campsite sits right in the heart of it, just 20 minutes south of Salisbury and within easy reach of London.
Many of our guests tell us the night sky was the highlight of their stay - something they had not properly seen since childhood, if ever.
What you can see
- - The Milky Way on moonless nights
- - Shooting stars, especially during the Perseid shower in mid-August
- - Planets including Jupiter and Saturn, and the Andromeda galaxy with binoculars
- - The International Space Station passing overhead
- - Thousands of stars invisible from towns and cities
Tips for your stay
- - Allow 20 minutes for your eyes to fully adjust to the dark
- - Avoid looking at your phone, or use red-light mode
- - Bring binoculars if you have them
- - Lie back by the fire pit with a blanket and a hot drink
- - Book around the new moon for the darkest skies
When to visit
The best times for stargazing
May - June
Season opens
Shorter nights but warm evenings. The summer triangle (Vega, Deneb, Altair) rises in the east. Noctilucent clouds sometimes visible near the horizon.
July - August
Peak season
The Milky Way is highest in the sky. The Perseid meteor shower peaks around 12-13 August with up to 50 shooting stars per hour. Warm enough to lie outside for hours.
September
Darkest nights
Longer nights, often the clearest skies, and fewer visitors. The Milky Way is still prominent. Bring an extra blanket - the best stargazing nights are cold and still.
After dark
"The only thing we regret is we only booked one night. The stars were absolutely breathtaking, and the lack of noise pollution meant you could really hear the wildlife."
Suzanne P, Google review
Book a stargazing breakBell tents from £70 per night · Safari tents from £105 · May to September