There are many organisations with initiatives related to dark skies:
DarkSky International is the world authority on light pollution and is the leading organisation combating light pollution to protect the night skies for present and future generations.
The International Dark Sky Places (IDSP) Program was founded in 2001 to encourage communities, parks and protected areas around the world to preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting polices and public education. A number of UK National Parks have been awarded International Dark Sky Park and Reserve Status, areas designated by the IDA for the quality of their night skies.
We're especially proud that of 21 International Dark Sky Reserves in the world, the UK has seven in National Parks and National Landscapes (previously Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) - Bannau Brycheiniog, Cranborne Chase National Landscape, Eryri, Exmoor, Moore’s Reserve in the South Downs, North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales.
We're also home to two International Dark Sky Parks - Northumberland National Park and Kielder Water & Forest Park, and Tomintoul and Glenlivet in the Cairngorms National Park.
The UK Dark Skies Partnership is an informal collaboration of professional organisations, institutions and UK protected landscapes. Its specific commitments are the protection and improvement of dark skies over both International Dark-Sky Association Dark Sky Places and others, and the progressive reduction of both urban and rural light pollution through better lighting practice.
Dark Sky Discovery Sites is a nationwide network of places that provide great views of the night sky and which are accessible to everyone. In order to qualify for Dark Sky Discovery Site status, the locations need to meet a number of criteria that make them safe and accessible as well as having suitably dark skies.
View of map of Dark Sky Discovery Sites.
Find other great places for stargazing on the Go Stargazing website.