Cambrian Mountain Dark Skies

Astounding Dark Skies

The remoteness of rural Mid, West Wales and the Cambrian Mountains, guarantees visitors one of the darkest skies in the UK and Wales boasts the most Dark Sky Reserves in the World!  There are several Dark Sky Discovery sites in The Cambrian Mountains, including the Elan Valley International Dark Sky Park which is not far away, but you’ll find that you really won't need to venture from the cabin.

Dark means dark here.

So, whether you want to recline in the steaming hot tub under the stars, or climb further back up the hill to cuddle up on our suspended stargazing net and marvel the Milky Way overhead, you won't be disappointed!  In fact, if you’ve never experienced a true dark sky, we are sure you just won’t believe your eyes! 

Where most people dread the nights drawing in, winter is one of the best times to stay at Woodcock Cabin.  Not only can you enjoy stunning winter walks and hunker down in front of the roaring log burner, you get to experience the awe-inspiring stars overhead, at their best!

If you are thinking of booking your holiday at Woodcock Cabin, please see below for exciting times to plan a visit for stargazing! Of course, whilst we can guarantee you a dark sky, we can't guarantee a clear one! 

Lie back and let the show begin...........

Night Sky Spectacles & Meteor Showers in 2025

• The Lyrids –14 - 30 April
• The ETA Aquariids – peaks 5-6 May
• The Delta Aquarriids – 12 July - 23 August but (peak 30 July)
• The Perseids – peaks 17 July - 24 August (peak 12 August)
• The Draconids - 6 - 10 October (peaks 8 October)
• The Orionids – 2 October - 7 November (peaks 22 October)
• The Taurids - 20 October - 10 December (peaks 12 November)
• The Leonids – 6 - 30 November (peaks 17 November)
• The Geminids – 4 - 20 December (peaks 14 December) 
• The Ursids – peaks 17 - 26 December (peaks 22 December) 

Total Lunar Eclipse  - 7 September 

Supermoons 

• Hinters Moon - 7 October
• Beaver Moon - 5 November
• Cold Moon - 4 December

Aurora Borealis 

Although rare to view the Northern Lights in Wales, we were spoilt in 2024, with several incredible shows over Hafod! As we are still currently at a peak in the sun's 11-year cycle of activity, the likelihood of further shows in 2025 are highly likely.  During this peak activity period, there is an increase in the number of eruptions from the sun, including solar flares and coronal mass ejections.  These flares send bursts of energy and matter into space, causing the aurora we see from Earth.

 “I think our second night at Woodcock Cabin will be one of those memories, that they say flash through your mind just before you die!  Lying in the hot tub with a glass of bubbly, we watched as one by one the stars began to appear. The Milky Way arched right over our heads – it was literally breathtaking.  So many stars in such a dark sky – we felt like we could reach up and touch them.  As we lay back, mesmerized, we saw shooting star after shooting star, dash across the sky.  We wanted to stay right there, forever.”

Local photo credits: Dafydd Wyn Morgan