UK’s Elan Valley in Wales Ranks Among The World’s Top 10 Parks For Stargazing

A recent study by UK travel company Inghams has identified the top 15 official Dark Sky parks worldwide. While less travelled, these parks are highly recommended by visitors for their stargazing experiences. Wales’ Elan Valley has earned a place in the global top ten, becoming a desirable destination for astronomers and astrophotographers.

Best Stargazing Places By Inghams

Walking experts at Inghams analysed global search data, Google reviews, and AllTrails scores for more than 122 DarkSky parks. The final rankings highlight the parks that offer the best stargazing experiences worldwide. Parks that received low Google search volumes but high visitor review scores were ranked in the new index to identify the best stargazing experiences worldwide.

Top 15 Stargazing Sites Worldwide

Most official DarkSky parks are located in the USA and are prominently featured in the global index rankings. However, Canada’s Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is leading the list of the top 15 stargazing experiences, boasting an impressive review score of 4.9 on Google and 4.8 on AllTrails. Europe’s remarkable DarkSky parks also receive recognition in Inghams’ Starry Night Experience Index, including the Elan Valley Estate in Wales.

Elan Valley – The Only Welsh Park In Rating

Elan Valley, a picturesque river valley west of Rhayader in Powys, was recognized as the ninth-best stargazing destination worldwide. It is now the only Welsh park on the list.

“Located in the heart of the Cambrian Mountains, the Elan Valley Trust has made significant efforts to preserve the nighttime environment and promote awareness of the delicacy of dark skies. Prior to enjoying a night of stargazing, visitors can wander through the picturesque hills and marvel at the stunning dams and bridges in the area,” Inghams stated.

Discovering The Elan Valley

Tourists often refer to the Elan Valley, known as Cwm Elan in Welsh, as the “Welsh Lake District.” It is renowned for its stunning landscapes, spanning 70 square miles (180 km²) of lakes and countryside.

The valley features the Elan Valley Reservoirs and Elan Village, designed by architect Herbert Tudor Buckland as part of a larger scheme. Authorities have designated more than 80% of the valley as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, emphasizing its ecological significance. The popular Elan Valley Trail offers cyclists a scenic route that loops from Rhayader around the reservoirs, with portions of the trail coinciding with National Cycle Route 81 (Lon Cambria).

Since 2015, the Elan Valley has also been recognised as an International Dark Sky Park, making it a prime location for stargazing enthusiasts.