Broughton Sanctuary is thrilled to announce that it will host the opening celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Yorkshire Dales National Park’s Dark Skies Festival. The event next February promises to be a stellar celebration of the region’s breathtaking night skies and the wonders of the cosmos.
The Yorkshire Dales – a Dark Sky Reserve
The Yorkshire Dales National Park is home to some of the darkest skies in the country, offering stunning views of the Milky Way, planets, meteors and even the Northern Lights. Designated a Dark Sky Reserve by DarkSky International, the park is a haven for stargazers and an area of significant scientific, educational, cultural, heritage and public value.
Nestled on the outskirts of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Broughton Sanctuary is devoted to preserving the natural nighttime environment throughout its 3,000-acre nature recovery project, and through its mission to raise awareness about the interconnectedness of our inner and outer nature. It is a must-visit, year-round destination for astronomy enthusiasts, novice stargazers and all those captivated by the beauty of the night sky.
Event Schedule
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Dark Skies Festival will take place from 14th February to 2nd March. The opening celebration marking the 10th anniversary will be held at Broughton Sanctuary and feature a series of Dark Sky Safari experiences, both day and night from 14th to 19th February. These events will be a great opportunity to experience firsthand the benefits of low light pollution for wildlife and for our own wellbeing.
The full programme will be released in November, but the festival already promises a stellar lineup, including a guided planetarium experience, Zen Yoga, ecology tours, forest bathing, film screenings as well as storytelling around a fire temple. During the February half term, there will be plenty of family friendly fun with the destination based Wild Explorers offering an entire woodland of nature-based adventures for children.
Star-Studded Guides
On invitation from the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the astrophysicist and Zen teacher Mark Wesmoquette will open the celebration with a three-day programme at Broughton Sanctuary. Mark will guide attendees on a life-affirming inner and outer journey, connecting them with the universe to uncover the wonder and awe of being in every moment.
Guests can also immerse themselves in the mysteries of the universe with a captivating 360 degree film screening in the Wonderdome, an inflatable planetarium. Learn about the planets, the size of the universe, space travel, earth, the sun and the moon.
Broughton Sanctuary works regularly with several dark sky experts, including astronomer Chris Higgins, from Limetree Observatory. Chris will lead an interpretive stargazing tour of the cosmos, when guests can explore the mysteries of the solar system, accompanied by the lively serenade of many nocturnal creatures.
There will also be the opportunity to join expert ecologist, River Six, on Nature Recovery Tours, exploring the Sanctuary’s diverse plant and animal life and learning about biodiversity efforts. Each tour will explore one of five loops on the Odyssey Trail, a 30km path through Broughton’s 3,000 acres, featuring nature restoration projects, woodlands, historical landmarks, and mountain views. Visitors can also expect to enjoy immersive wellbeing experiences like the Fire Temple, Labyrinth, Wild Swimming Reservoir, and Moon Baths.
Accommodation and Complimentary Festival Access
Guests staying in Broughton Sanctuary’s holiday homes will enjoy complimentary access each day to a wide range of the festival’s events. Other events will be ticketed. Guests can choose from 19 homes, ranging from one to six bedrooms, including a former goat house and an apartment within the historic Broughton Hall. For more holiday home information and to book a stay click here.
Tickets for outside guests will be available from November 2024.
Location
Broughton Sanctuary is easily accessible by train, car or plane. It’s just 55 miles from Manchester Airport (which is just one hour by plane from London) and the closest train stations are Skipton and Gargrave, (five minutes) or Leeds (40 minutes). The M6 Skipton to Burnley public bus stops directly at the gateway to Broughton Sanctuary.
