There were plans afoot to make the Isle of Wight a ‘Dark Skies Park’ but the larger towns to the north east are just a little too bright. For this reason the best locations on the Island for stargazing do tend to be down the west coast or along the chalk downs that stretch across the middle. The high downs to the south and the more remote parts of the countryside are also good, so to help you out we’ve put together our top ten stargazing locations.
1. Atherfield
This is one of the darkest coastline locations on the Island and there is a public footpath across the fields to the edge of the cliff to the right of the former Atherfield Holiday Camp. In the summer there are campers in this field who will have lights on so it is better in the winter months.
2. Compton
The top of the cliffs at Compton has to run a close second as it gets very dark around here. The lights of Freshwater do glint in the distance, as do those on the mainland, but don’t interfere with the low horizon.
3. Brighstone Beach/Cliffs
The IW Star Party meet here every year so if it’s good enough for them, it must be a good bet. It’s best over on the cliff edge and there are campers during the summer in these parts so you do need to pick your spot carefully.
4. Newchurch
It’s landlocked but it’s very dark in this valley, that has sparse development and lots of open fields and it is also home to the Island’s public Observatory that is owned and operated by the Vectis Astronomical Society.
5. The Longstone
It doesn’t have a low horizon but you are in a bowl in total darkness looking up at the stars that the druids, who used this spot for worship, would have seen 4000 years ago. Walk over to the edge of the downs and you will have a panoramic view of the coast – there will be some light pollution from Brighstone below but the skies are big here. Anywhere along Brighstone Downs is good for stargazing as there are no streetlights and dark skies above you. There are also gates, stiles and animals grazing so be sure to take a low energy torch to help you negotiate your way and find a safe spot to set up.
6. The Needles Headland
High above the Needles on the top of Tennyson Down is a great place to stargaze on a clear night. Walk over to the southern side of the downs and you can see the former rocket testing site too. It’s better to explore the old gantries in daylight as the land is very steep and covered in chalk scree but this is the ideal place to set up your ‘scope’.
7. St Catherine’s Down
Walk up from the ‘Viewpoint’ carpark at Blackgang to the old Pepperpot lighthouse for a fantastic panoramic view or you can get onto the downs from various pathways including one up to the Hoy Memorial at the other end. You’ll have a amazing view of the Island and a big sky to choose from.
8. Culver Down
Whilst the lights of Ryde, Bembridge, the bay area and the mainland are visible on a clear night you do also have a good view of the skies from Culver Down on a dark moonless night. This is a good place to lie on your back and watch for shooting stars.
9. Brading Down
Views across the Solent to the mainland are good from here and across the south east of the Island to the Bay area and the lights of Sandown, Lake and Shanklin. But the skies are dark above you and the horizon to the south is clear even if the land below is littered with light.
10. St George’s Down
It’s above Newport off of the Blackwater Road – take the signposts for Newport Golf Club. Even though this spot is very near to our capital it is sufficiently high to avoid the glow from the streetlighting.
