The South Downs National Park is an International Dark Sky Reserve (IDSR), one of only seven International Dark Sky Reserves in the UK. That means it is a protected area with exceptional starry nights. And every February in Sussex and Hampshire, the South Downs National Park holds a two-week Dark Skies Festival.
What is the South Downs Dark Skies Festival?
This year, the festival runs from 12 to 22 February and celebrates its 10th anniversary. It is hosted by the South Downs National Park and includes a programme of activities from stargazing and night walks to family explorer trails, photography sessions talks, and special events. There are also other events held by the South Downs Planetarium in Chichester and by the Science Centre and the Observatory Science Centre & Museum at Herstmonceux.
What is so special about the South Downs sky at night and why would you want to take part in the festival?
As Dark Sky International explain, “The night sky and nocturnal environment are naturally, culturally, and historically important resources worthy of conservation.”
The Sussex landscape takes on a different personality at night. On a clear night, the moon and stars provide that sense of awe and wonder, as well as a rare opportunity to see, learn about and experience our solar system. But even on a cloudy day, the night sky has a different and fascinating dimension. And the landscape beneath the sky also transforms. A hushed reverence descends, the birds fall silent and give way to bats, owls and the occasional screech of a fox, and different wildlife emerges. Spend time under a dark sky and you feel Sussex in quite a different way. It is calming, can be almost spiritual and is a very unique and personal Sussex experience.
Your Dark Skies Festival guide
This guide to the Sussex and South Downs Dark Skies Festival explains all the different ways you can enjoy dark skies. As always, exploring Sussex at night comes with risks. Please only do so in a way that is safe.
If you’d like to try an atmospheric night walk
Best for: Nature lovers, walkers, adventurers.
Guided night walks are one of the festival’s core experiences, offering a chance to see and feel the South Downs after dark.
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12 February: Bioluminescent Night Walks, Seven Sisters Country Park. Delve into the world of bioluminescence with David Astle from Reveal Nature. Suitable for children.
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13 February: Night Walk, Bignor (Pied A Terre Adventures). Led by an experienced and qualified guide. Suitable for ages 10+.
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15 February: “Embrace the Night” walk, Cocking (Rural Strides). A sensory experience exploring the landscape through sight, sound, smell, and touch.
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17 February: Night Walks, Old Winchester Hill and Alice Holt. Led by the South Downs National Park team.
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19 February: Night Walks, Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Petworth (led by Rural Strides) and at Birling Gap.
These walks offer a slow, immersive way to experience darkness, nocturnal wildlife, and the Downs after dark. All walk details and how to book are on the South Downs National Park Website.
For our experience of a night walk:
If you want to explore night skies with children
Best for: Families, beginners, curious young minds.
Dark Skies Explorer Events
The Dark Skies Explorer Trail — The Great Bear. This is one of the festival’s standout features and is a short, accessible audio trail where visitors follow the Great Bear and discover constellations and their stories. It is available at all the Explorer Events:
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14 February, Seven Sisters Country Park: Hosted by Sussex Sidewalk Astronomers. Follow the Dark Skies Explorer Trail, discovering constellations and sky stories along a short accessible route.
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17 February, Alice Holt: An evening of stargazing, a chance to meet owls and learn about astrophotography
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18 February, Amberley Museum: Family-friendly event featuring dark sky storytelling, virtual reality headsets, games, hot drinks, short nocturnal wildlife walks, and a talk by astrophotographer Abby Moore.
- 19 February, Queen Elizabeth Country Park: Bat-themed crafts, meet the owls, virtual reality headsets and Dark Skies storytelling.
These events are designed to make astronomy welcoming and accessible, especially for first-time stargazers.
Also suitable for children:
- 18 February, Herstmonceux Observatory Science Centre Museum: A “Big telescopes for small astronomers” event where you grab your torch and take part in an evening of discovery and exploration.
If you want to stargaze properly
Best for: Star lovers, curious beginners, amateur astronomers.
South Downs National Park events
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13 February, Stargazing Party, RSPB Pulborough Brooks: Telescopes and binoculars provided, with hot drinks available.
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17 February, Winchester Science Centre: Learn how to identify constellations before heading outdoors to spot stars in the South Downs.
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21 February, Star Party, Brighton Seafront (in front of the Brighton i360): Hosted with Brighton Astro and the South Downs National Park.
South Downs Planetarium & Science Centre events (Chichester)
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1 February, The Moon, Our Nearest Neighbour: Explore lunar craters, tides, phases, and the Moon’s influence on Earth.
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8 February, Stars on a Frosty Winter Night: Featuring Orion, Taurus, and the Pleiades, with a guided tour of winter skies.
Herstmonceux Observatory Science Centre & Museum events
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21 February, Stargazing Evening at the Observatory: View the Moon, planets, or deep-sky objects through powerful telescopes.
If you want to photograph the night sky
Best for: Creatives, photographers, night-scape lovers.
There are dark-sky photography and astrophotography sessions for those keen to capture stars, constellations, and night landscapes.
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19 February, Introduction to Photographing the Night Sky, Queen Elizabeth Country Park: Learn how to capture brilliant night shots with a practical astrophotographer.
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22 February, People’s Choice Astrophotography Gallery Opening: Showcasing winning entries from the South Downs’ first astrophotography competition.
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If you enjoy talks, podcasts & ideas
Best for: Thinkers, listeners, culture lovers.
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12 February, “Embrace the Darkness” Podcast, Amberley Museum: Host Eleanor discusses her experiences of darkness and nocturnal wildlife.
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13 February, Celebration Event, South Downs Centre, Midhurst: Celebrating 10 years of the South Downs as an International Dark Sky Reserve, featuring Dan Oakley, travel writer Megan, and her book Nightfaring: In Search of the Disappearing Darkness, plus a shared experience of darkness and an open Q&A.
If you want something a bit special
Best for: Couples, friends, memorable nights out.
Some events turn stargazing into a social or romantic experience, including:
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14 February, Valentine’s Sparkling Stars, Herstmonceux Observatory: Stargazing with a glass of English sparkling wine.
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28 February, Beer & the Big Bang, Herstmonceux Observatory: Explosive science and night-sky viewing with a craft beer from a local brewery.
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21 February, Dark Skies Flight, Brighton i360: Includes a talk by Dark Skies Dan Oakley.
These are ideal if you’re looking for something a little magical and out of the ordinary.
For more about Sussex stargazing and the Dark Skies Festival:
