Dark Skies in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley

With acres of ancient forest and a vast wild river valley, the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley is an ideal area for stargazing. Our dark skies have low levels of light pollution and are easily accessible with multiple ideal locations on offer for amateurs and experts and those looking to take night sky photography. We have no big cities and once you step away from our towns and villages there are no street lights at all meaning you don't have to travel far to be immersed in deep darkness. On a clear night the Milky Way is not only visible but bright and detailed and our open spaces and high viewpoints offer wide panoramas and breathtaking vistas. 

Looking for some ideas on where to go? You'll discover the darkest skies for stargazing in the most remote locations of course. But you'll also find many of our well known locations offer great opportunities for dark sky photography and stargazing. As you travel towards our borders there is more light pollution - to the east towards Gloucester, the south towards Bristol and the west towards Newport. But there are expansive night sky views from many locations especially from our many hills, lakes and open spaces. Here are just a few of our recommendations:

Our Top Dark Sky Locations in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley

Symonds Yat Rock

A favourite with photographers because of the wide panorama from the top and a dark sky photography hot spot. Very little light pollution with beautiful countryside all around and no streetlights. Although the main car park closes at night there is parking all along the road and it’s a short walk to the viewpoint.

Cannop Ponds

Any of the ponds and lakes in the Forest are ideal spots for stargazing, with open spaces and the addition of water reflection for added interest. Cannop Ponds in the Forest of Dean are the largest in the area so there is wide open sky and plenty of photography opportunities. There are several small car parks at various locations nearby along the roads.

From Your Doorstep

For real dark sky remoteness, stay in one of our rural holiday properties and simply walk into the Forest at night. The Speech House Hotel for example is located in the heart of the Forest of Dean with absolutely nothing but forest around it for miles and no streetlights. Head onto one of the footpaths in any direction from its doors and reach beautiful expansive woodland.

Well known nearby locations for night photography include Beechenhurst, Speech House Lake or Woorgreens Nature Reserve which has a large lake/pond and miles of heathland all around where the skies open up above you without the close treeline.

We have lots of accommodation in out of the way places ideal for stargazing from your doorstep. Some even provide a telescope such as The Hudnalls Hideout, a luxury treehouse on private woodland along the Wye Valley. Choose a rural property and you'll have nature on your doorstep, why not throw down a rug or bring a chair and gaze at nature's display.

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New Fancy Viewpoint

South of The Speech House Hotel, this open viewing platform offers expansive views over the Forest and above. The car park does close at night but there is parking not far away along nearby roads.

May Hill 

Although a short climb it is worth it for the 360 degree views from the top. One of the highest viewpoints in the Forest of Dean it offers incredible stargazing and is great for both sunrise and sunset too. However it is on the eastern edge of the Forest and therefore nearer Gloucester.

For more inspiration see all of our beauty spots and visitor sites here. The Forestry England car parks do get locked at night but there are plenty of smaller car parks if you need to drive. Or if you stay local you can either stargaze from your accommodation or take a short walk into the Forest, up a hill or along a river for great dark sky views.

Stargazing With a Professional in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley

Dark Sky Photography in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley

Professional photographer David Broadbent runs dark sky photography courses across the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. Taking advantage of the dark locations here he takes people out to photograph the night sky and the skills learned have a great synergy and are really useful for budding night sky photographers as well as those who want to take better travel, city and landscape photos introducing a very low light or night time element to their pictures. He has worked across the world but says 'nothing beats being in the forests of the Wye Valley or the Dean at night'. You can read more about this in his own blog post on the subject here. In 2021 his dark skies group photography classes at Humble by Nature can be found here.

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Stargazing Safaris in the Forest of Dean

The Tudor Farmhouse Hotel run Stargazing Safaris from their picturesque Forest of Dean location, taking you out for the evening with a star storyteller for a unique experience, exploring the universe through the beautifully dark night skies of the Forest of Dean. From the hilltop vantage point behind the hotel you’ll observe stars, constellations and planets, and discover the fascinating science and stories behind them. Find out more here.

Dark Sky Mountain Biking in the Forest of Dean

Yes, it's a thing! At Pedalabikeaway you can join expert guides on night rides through the beautiful ancient forest and see spectacular dark skies from deep in the forest where you are guaranteed total darkness, and quiet. For any night journeys we recommend going out with an expert and plenty of lights on your bike, it is a forest after all and the home to much wildlife too!

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Hear from some of our local photographers about their favourites locations and why this area is especially good:

'I like Symonds Yat Rock because it's one of the few areas that offers such a great panoramic view. I love photographing the Milky Way so earlier in the season is best for this (March-May) as later on the Milky Way core is facing west towards Cardiff which means slightly more light pollution. The whole area is a particularly good spot for the Perseids in August facing north (weather-permitting of course!) but anywhere in the Wye Valley AONB is excellent with really dark skies.' - Callum White

'I love Mallards Pike Lake in the Forest of Dean as it’s so quiet, but equally I love Bigsweir Bridge because the architecture of the bridge adds another dimension to the photographs. Being outside in the dark on my own and seeing the stars makes everything else seem insignificant. It’s like a form of therapy for me and I love seeing the end product in the back of my camera after I’ve set up the composition. Hours literally feel like minutes.' - Telshawk Photography

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See us in BBC Sky at Night Magazine's 'Best Places to Stargaze in England'.

Please remember: the forest is home to many wild animals, please don't venture deep into the Forest at night. The sites listed above all have open spaces accessible from the road. Don't go out by yourself or without a good torch and a phone.