A vast, moonlit desert landscape under an exceptionally dark, crystal-clear night sky, filled with countless sharp, pinpoint stars and a bright band of the Milky Way stretching diagonally across the frame. In the foreground, a simple, low wooden interpretive sign about dark-sky stewardship stands on compacted sand and gravel, its surface gently illuminated by a discrete, shielded amber ground light. Distant low mountains form a subtle silhouette along the horizon. Photographic realism with a clean, modern aesthetic, shot at eye level with a wide-angle lens and long exposure. The lighting is natural and cool, creating a serene, contemplative atmosphere that emphasizes the grandeur of the night sky and the importance of protecting natural darkness.

Under Dark Skies

Discovering the night. Reconnecting with nature

About

Why Dark Skies Matter

Cornwall is home to some of the UK’s most important dark sky environments.

In internationally dark sky designated areas such as West Penwith and Bodmin Moor, the night sky is protected to preserve our natural world and cultural heritage. Even outside of these designated areas, the incredible darkness of the night supports life on Earth and ecological balance.

We run immersive programs that connect people with the night sky and empower communities to learn about the importance of darkness while advocating for the reduction of human-made light pollution.

Our story
Duck and few stars over St Michael’s Mount

Experience

Discover the night sky, explore protected dark landscapes, and learn how darkness shapes the natural world. Opt to join in-person or online workshops, with an optional outdoor night environment extension. Our programs of learning opportunities combine astronomy, nature, and environmental learning under some of the darkest skies in Britain.

Explore programs

Exclusive Events

A side-by-side nighttime comparison of two adjacent small-town streets viewed from an elevated angle: on the left, harsh, unshielded white streetlights create glare, skyglow, and washed-out stars; on the right, well-designed, fully shielded warm-amber fixtures cast focused pools of light on the pavement while preserving a richly starry sky above. Storefronts have subtle, downlit signage with no excessive brightness or spill. Photographic realism with sharp detail throughout, capturing reflective asphalt texture, building facades, and the gradient of sky brightness. The composition uses a central dividing line to clearly contrast poor versus responsible lighting, creating an informative, professional, educational atmosphere aligned with dark-sky stewardship principles.

Stargazing

Guided night stargazing experiences from an expert astronomer exploring constellations, planets, and meteor showers, bringing the night into your world.

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A side-by-side nighttime comparison of two adjacent small-town streets viewed from an elevated angle: on the left, harsh, unshielded white streetlights create glare, skyglow, and washed-out stars; on the right, well-designed, fully shielded warm-amber fixtures cast focused pools of light on the pavement while preserving a richly starry sky above. Storefronts have subtle, downlit signage with no excessive brightness or spill. Photographic realism with sharp detail throughout, capturing reflective asphalt texture, building facades, and the gradient of sky brightness. The composition uses a central dividing line to clearly contrast poor versus responsible lighting, creating an informative, professional, educational atmosphere aligned with dark-sky stewardship principles.

How dark are we?

Hands-on activities for families and individuals to measure neighbourhood skyglow and help design dark-sky friendly lighting solutions.

Explore

Testimonials

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Our group still talk about the night hike and now notices wasted light everywhere on campus.

— WP

Rating: 5 out of 5.

The program linked astronomy to climate, wildlife, and local policy. It was superb!

— LPl

Rating: 5 out of 5.

I’ve never seen the sky like that before. It completely changed how I see nature.

— MG

Rating: 5 out of 5.

It felt like stepping into another world without leaving Cornwall.

— MK

Newsletter

Updates on events, experiences, and programs

An expansive high-altitude plateau with low, wind-sculpted grasses and scattered rocks under an extraordinarily dark, transparent sky, where the Milky Way stands in bright, detailed relief. In the foreground, a portable dark-sky measuring station sits on a sturdy tripod, with a matte-black light meter, small weatherproof data logger, and a compact, shielded indicator light glowing faint red to preserve night vision. Cables are neatly organized, and a laminated field protocol sheet lies on a flat rock nearby. Photographic realism with eye-level composition and moderate depth of field keeps instruments sharp against a softly receding landscape. Natural starlight creates subtle highlights on equipment edges, evoking a precise, scientific, yet tranquil atmosphere supporting data-driven dark-sky stewardship.

Contact us

Ask about programs, events, partnerships, or custom dark-sky trainings for your group and organisation.

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