Cambrian Mountain Dark Skies

Astounding Dark Skies

The remoteness of rural Mid-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 2023

• The Quadrantids – peaks 3-4 January
• The Lyrids – peaks 22-23 April
• The ETA Aquariids – peaks 6 May
• The Delta Aquarriids – peaks 30 July
• Alpha Capricornids - peaks 30 July
• The Perseids – peaks 12-13 August
• The Draconids - peaks 8-9 October
• The Orionids – peaks 21-22 October
• The Taurids - peaks 12-13 November
• The Leonids – peaks 17-18 November
• The Geminids – peaks 14-15 December
• The Ursids – peaks 22-23 December

Partial Lunar Eclipse - 28 October 2023

Supermoons 2023

• 3 July 
• 1 August
• 31 August
• 29 September   

Aurora Borealis 

Although rare to view the Northern Lights in Wales, it is most certainly possible with recent viewings in the Cambrian Mountains on 17 February 2023! 

 “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