Stargazing is taking off in Britain. Google searches for āstargazing UKā rose by 30% over the past year, while searches for āgo stargazingā increased by 50%. Searches for nearby locations have doubled since 2025.
To find the best places to watch the night sky, the AA compared 15 national parks across England, Scotland and Wales, looking at light pollution, cloud cover, air quality and rainy days.
The five parks topping the list
The New Forest National Park came first. Primarily in Hampshire, it combines relatively low rainfall with easy road access and the chance to spot its famous free-roaming ponies by day.
South Downs National Park, stretching from Winchester to Eastbourne, took second place. The Broads, across Norfolk and Suffolk, ranked third, helped by its average cloud cover of 56%.
Dartmoor came fourth, offering the darkest skies among the top five and better chances of seeing the Milky Way. North York Moors completed the list, with notably strong air quality as well as walking and cycling routes.
Anyone planning a night-time drive should check their insurance first. Some remote sites may require off-road driving, which is not always covered. Drivers should also avoid travelling when tired, take breaks, secure valuables and declare roof boxes, racks or tent boxes to their insurer.
Why it matters for Britain
The rankings highlight accessible rural destinations across England, supporting visits to national parks and nearby communities. They also offer a straightforward way for people to enjoy the countryside, wildlife and dark skies without travelling abroad.
