Dark Skies Festival 2023

We’re celebrating the Dark Skies Festival this month (10-24^th February) which aims to showcase the stunning skies of the National Parks, free from light pollution.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park has been working alongside a number of businesses and organisations to safeguard its pristine night sky, including here at the Wenselydale Creamery where we are installing dark sky friendly lighting at our Visitor Centre in Hawes. 

Since 2020, both the Yorkshire Dales and North Yorkshire Moors National Parks have been monitoring artificial light levels, providing guidance and working closely with councils, businesses and residents to change their exterior lights. 

Hannah Kay, Dark Skies Project Manager for the Yorkshire Dales National Park said: “There are so many benefits to swapping to dark skies friendly lighting, particularly as newer light technology can reduce energy consumption. Research has shown just how much wildlife needs true darkness, whether it’s night pollinating moths or birds roosting, but there’s also the benefit to our own wellbeing and of course, the wonderment that comes from seeing a dark sky which is filled with thousands of stars.”

A programme of events is running throughout the area during the festival, from Canoeing, Star Gazing and Pizza to Waterfalls after Dark.  You can see the full list of events and learn more about the Dark Skies project on the Yorkshire National Park website HERE.