Dark sky breaks for 5 year olds

[CitrusBun]

Possible niche tourism request here, but 5yr old DD is talking a lot about stars and I'd love to take her (and my wife, and 1yr old DS) to a dark sky site somewhere in the UK.

I know there are many detailed maps, but none seem to specifically talk about kids. Has anyone visited a dark sky site with their young kids that they'd care to recommend? Ideally I'd love a site where its all-in - catered, perhaps a scope or two, and a knowledgeable kid friendly expert.

I realise it might be easier to book a hotel room next to a dark field, but I'm hoping there's a more organised way to do it please...

Anglesey, newborough and surrounding areas. Fairly cheap for air bnb and lots of castles in Anglesey and Gwynedd for day time activities

Look at sleepyowl Devon. Not catered and no experts around but stunning accommodation, brilliant with and without kids, lots to do nearby. Expensive but very special.

Isle of Man

A crown dependency but a small island so easy to find somewhere and can drive to location

The observatory in Kielder Forest (Northumberland) do an excellent dark sky experience. It's an all-round excellent place to visit.

I second Kielder. We did the night aimed at children and families a few years ago, it was excellent. Would love to go back.

Second Kielder Forest

https://www.battlesteads.com/observatory/calendar

Friends have been to this place in Northumberland and rated it.

Camp Cynrig in Brecon was amazing for stars. https://www.breconbeacons.org/business/activity-dark-sky-wales Dark Sky Wales run events and talks, although they mostly seem aimed at adults. Maybe worth getting in touch though to see what they can do.

Dumfries and Galloway dark skies park

forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/forest-parks/galloway-forest-park/dark-skies

Also the planetarium

www.darkspaceplanetarium.org

Not exactly a dark sky, but Cambridge Institute of Astronomy does weekly open evenings in the winter https://www.public.ast.cam.ac.uk/. You can just turn up for the observation, you don't have to go to the talk 😉

The Spaceguard Centre (just outside Knighton in Powys) might be interesting. While their regular tour might be a bit too much for your child, they also do Primary School visits so can clearly pitch something appropriately.

That area of the Marches / Shropshire Hills has some great dark skies spots.

www.visitshropshirehills.co.uk/things-to-do/category/stargazing/

gostargazing.co.uk/regions/aonb/shropshire-hills-aonb/

Not the darkest of skies, but still pretty good- we stayed at Kelling Heath in Norfolk which has a big open area for sky viewing. It's where my daughter saw her first shooting star.

Exmoor National Park, which is a Dark Skies Reserve I believe, has its Dark Skies Festival about to start. Lots of events on & details of locations, events etc - some are specifically kid friendly:

www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/enjoying/stargazing/dark-skies-festival

https://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/data/assets/pdfffile/0032/486329/Dark-Skies-Festival-Programme-2023-for-web-amended.pdf

Thanks for all the help so far - depressing for someone who lives in Oxfordshire to see how many of these places are so far in the north! Sad times.

Am looking at Exmoor closely - although it'll be Feb half term for the trip I'm still hoping it'll be a winner.

Kelling Heath in Norfolk is a dark sky location,

It's a fantastic holiday park with lots of great facilities and things to go for the kids.

gostargazing.co.uk/events/kelling-heath-star-party-autumn-2023/?amp

Another vote for kelling heath in Norfolk. We vamp there in the summer months. There are also caravans and lodges .

The summer evenings are lovely, very social on the "village square" with pop up food stands, and live music, kids entertainment. Then a walk back to the tent to look at the stars.

Another vote for the Isle of Man!

We really enjoyed Kielder Forest.

Not a dark sky but I recommend the Norman Lockyer observatory for visiting combined with a short break. Think they are back with open time's following the covid hiatus