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You are here: Experience and Enjoy > Natural Attractions > Stargazing > Dark Skies in Southern Eryri

Dark Skies in Southern Eryri

Southern Eryri (Southern Snowdonia) is part of Eryri National Park, which was named an International Dark Sky Reserve in 2015 for the quality of its night skies. Around Cadair Idris, the Mawddach estuary, Bala and the Dysynni valley, there are very few towns and little light pollution, so on a clear, moonless night you can see the Milky Way, the major constellations and shooting stars with the naked eye. This guide covers the best places to stargaze in Southern Eryri, when to go and where to stay. Dark sky places to stay are listed below.

What is a Dark Sky Reserve?

An International Dark Sky Reserve is an area recognised by DarkSky International for its exceptionally dark night skies and for the work done to protect them. Eryri has a dark core where lighting is kept to a minimum, surrounded by communities that work to reduce light pollution. Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) is also a Dark Sky Reserve, and the Elan Valley is a Dark Sky Park, so Mid Wales has some of the darkest skies in Britain.

Where are the best places to stargaze in Southern Eryri?

Bwlch y Groes. One of the highest tarmac passes in Wales, on the minor road between Dinas Mawddwy and Llanuwchllyn near Bala. There's a small parking area near the top with wide views of the sky in every direction.
Llynnau Cregennan, the Cregennan Lakes. Two lakes on the foothills of Cadair Idris above Arthog, with a car park by the larger lake. The mountains block the glow from the coast, and the reflection of the stars on a still night is worth the drive.
Tal-y-llyn and the Dysynni valley. Llyn Mwyngil, the lake at Tal-y-llyn, sits under the southern cliffs of Cadair Idris, a long way from any town.
The Mawddach estuary. The flat estuary between Dolgellau and Barmouth gives big, open skies, especially from the Mawddach Trail near Penmaenpool and Arthog.
Llyn Tegid, Bala. The largest natural lake in Wales has dark shores away from the town, with open views to the south.
The Harlech and Ardudwy coast. Looking west over Cardigan Bay, the sky over the sea is very dark, and the beaches at Harlech and Llandanwg are good places to watch the stars set.

When is the best time for stargazing?

The darkest nights are from October to March, when it gets dark early and the Milky Way is visible in the evening in autumn. Pick a clear night close to the new moon, and give your eyes 20 minutes to adjust. The Perseid meteor shower peaks in mid August and the Geminids in mid December. During strong solar storms, the Northern Lights can occasionally be seen from Mid Wales, low on the northern horizon.

Tips for stargazing

Check the forecast for clear skies and go out after the moon has set.
Take a red torch, warm layers, a hat and something to sit on. It's cold at night in the hills, even in summer.
Stay on roads and paths you know, and don't walk onto open mountain in the dark without experience and a map.
Binoculars show far more than the naked eye; a stargazing app helps you find your way round the sky.

Where to stay for dark skies

Stay somewhere you can step outside and look up. Graig Wen near Arthog, on the Mawddach Trail, is close to the Cregennan Lakes, and Gwesty Pen-y-Bont is a 16th-century inn on the shore of Tal-y-llyn. Dolgellau, Bala, Tywyn and Harlech all have cottages, farm stays and glamping sites away from street lights. See more dark skies accommodation across Mid Wales.

More stargazing in Mid Wales

See our guide to dark skies and stargazing in Mid Wales, including the Elan Valley Dark Sky Park and the Cambrian Mountains. For a ready-made plan, our itineraries include a Dark Skies Weekend and a Southern Eryri weekend.

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Dark sky places to stay

Inspiration

Dark Sky Destination - Brecon Beacons
Dark Sky Destination - Elan Valley
Dark Skies Accommodation in Mid Wales
Dark Skies and Stargazing in Mid Wales

Some of the darkest skies in Britain, with the Milky Way overhead on a clear night. Here is where to go, what to look for and when.

Number of results: 76

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Glan-y-Don Holiday Park

Address

Neptune Road, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 0DL

Telephone
01654 710461

info@glanydonpark.co.uk

Tywyn

Glan Y Don Holiday Park in southern Snowdonia is a five star family Holiday Home Park of superb quality in an outstanding coastal location with uninterrupted sea views.
Castell Deudraeth

Address

Portmeirion, Minffordd, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, LL48 6ER

Telephone
01766 770000

post@portmeirion.wales

Penrhyndeudraeth

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Castell Deudraeth 4-star hotel located on the grounds of Portmeirion, in Southern Snowdonia. The hotel has 11 spacious and contemporary rooms and suites,
Tan-y-Fron Holiday Park | Glamping Pods

Address

Arran Road, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2AA

Telephone
01341 422638

info@tan-y-fron.co.uk

Dolgellau

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Chill out in our luxury camping pods!
The Pods are in their own private area, with a picnic table, fantastic views and parking.

Price
Price £35.00 to £55.00 per unit per night
Dysynni Valley Cottage | Maes y Wennol

Address

Llanfihangel y Pennant, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9TR

Telephone
01654 782674

admin@dysynnivalleyholidays.com

Tywyn

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Situated in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Maes y Wennol in a rural and peaceful setting with no passing traffic, boasts magnificent views of the Dysynni Valley.

Price
Price £600.00 per unit per week
Portmeirion Motorhome Park

Address

Portmeirion, Minffordd, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, LL48 6ER

Telephone
01766 770000

stay@portmeirion.wales

Penrhyndeudraeth

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Portmeirion Motorhome Park is a new site within Portmerion village opening Monday 1st of August 2022 until 31st of October 2022.
Caravan @ Tyddyn Rhys Farm

Address

Tyddyn Rhys, Aberdovey, Gwynedd, LL35 0PG

Telephone
01654 767769

tyddynrhys@googlemail.com

Aberdovey

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Tyddyn Rhys commands a privileged position half a mile above the village of Aberdovey with a panoramic view overlooking the Dovey Estuary and Cardigan Bay.

Price
Price £400.00 to £405.00 per unit per week
Aber Cottage Guesthouse

Address

Smithfield Street, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 1DE

Telephone
07976 518687

bwthynyraber@gmail.com

Dolgellau

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Aber Cottage is a 250 year old listed building situated in the picturesque market town of Dolgellau, in the heart of Wales' beautiful Snowdonia National Park. The guest house offers quality en-suite accommodation with private parking.

Price
Price £90.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast
Ty Bach

Address

Warren Parc, Penegoes, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8NN

Telephone
01654 702054

info@warrenparc.co.uk

Machynlleth

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Ty Bach is a small cosy cottage set within our family run Caravan Park, 2 miles from the ancient market town of Machynlleth. An ideal base to explore the beautiful Dyfi Valley and Mid Wales.

Price
Price £395.00 per unit per week
Cefn Crib | Llety Cynnes Cottage

Address

Cefn Crib, Pennal, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9LB

Telephone
01654 791203

sian@cefncrib.co.uk

Machynlleth

Llety Cynnes is a renovated self-catering holiday cottage in Pennal, near Machynlleth, sleeping up to five guests. Enjoy modern, comfortable accommodation, a private patio and views across the Dyfi Valley. Ideal for families, couples and small…

Price
Price £150.00 per unit per night
Gwrach Ynys Country Guest House

Address

Talsarnau, Harlech, Gwynedd, LL47 6TS

Telephone
01766 780742

deborah@gwrachynys.co.uk

Harlech

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to27 Oct 2026

Country house in peaceful rural location close to mountains and sea. Ideally located for visiting Portmeirion, Harlech Castle, Welsh Highland Railway or walking and touring Snowdonia. A warm welsh welcome at assured by Gwynfor and Deborah.

Price
Price £55.00 to £95.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast
Sea Moss Cabin

Address

Chalet 1, Woodlands Holiday Park, Bryncrug, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9UH

Telephone
01654 782285

brian-matthews@btconnect.com

Bryncrug, Tywyn

Dates

Newly refurbished Self-Catering Chalet at the Woodlands Holiday Park, Southern Snowdonia, Gwynedd. Sea view from the patio. Accessible throughout, including Car Parking immediately outside. No steps.

Price
Price £620.00 per unit per week
Dysynni Valley Shepherd’s Hut

Address

Bodilan Fach Farm, Llanfihangel y Pennant, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9TR

Telephone
01654 782674

admin@dysynnivalleyholidays.com

Tywyn

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

New for 2021, a Shepherd's Hut in in the perfect location in Southern Snowdonia for a family or keen walkers, climbers, fishing enthusiasts. Created for those looking for a beautiful location to relax.

Price
Price £55.00 to £75.00 per unit per night
Tynllwyn Caravan Park

Address

Bryncrug, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9RD

Telephone
01654 710370

tynllwyncaravanpark@gmail.com

Tywyn

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Tynllwyn is a small family run site with the Talyllyn Narrow Gauge Railway gently winding past and Rhydronen station only 50 yds away. A haven for bird watchers, walkers & cyclists.

Price
Price £395.00 to £535.00 per unit per week
Hendy Farm Cottages

Address

Hendy Farm, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9RU

Telephone
01654 710457

jones@farmline.com

Tywyn

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

A warm welcome awaits you at Hendy, situated in the Snowdonia National Park. Enjoy Self Catering accommodation on a working farm with the privilege of its own halt on the Talyllyn Narrow Gauge Railway.

Price
Price £210.00 to £850.00 per unit per week
Bryn Cleifion | Bettws Hall

Address

Bryn Cleifion Hall, Mallwyd, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9HW

Telephone
01686650628

selina@bettwshall.com

Machynlleth

Dates

From:

1 Feb 2027to30 Sept 2027

Bryn Cleifion Hall and Lodge are two self catering properties in Snowdonia National Park in Mallwyd.
Bryn Cleifion Hall sleeps up to 8 in 5 en suite bedrooms and has a modern kitchen, a sitting room with open fire and an acre of lawns. Outside…

Price
Price £850.00 to £1,750.00 per unit per week
Llandanwg Holiday Home Park

Address

Llandanwg, Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2SB

Telephone
01341 241602

info@llandanwgpark.co.uk

Harlech

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Sitting on a hillside in the pretty village of Llandanwg, this five star (exceptional) rated caravan park boasts superb views of Tremadog Bay, Harlech Beach, Shell Island and the Llyn Peninsular.
Hideaway in the Hills | Camping & Pod

Address

Hideaway in the Hills, Dinas, Llanbedr, Gwynedd, LL45 2PH

Telephone
01341 241585

hideawayinthehills@outlook.com

Llanbedr

Dates

From:

31 Mar 2026to30 Nov 2026

Dinas is a small, quiet, family friendly campsite, children welcome, ideal for walkers and those who wish to enjoy the countryside. We also have a Camping Pod which sleeps 2, offering all the fun of camping, without the effort of putting up a tent!

Price
Price £50.00 per unit per night
Trefeddian Hotel

Address

Trefeddian Hotel, Aberdovey, Gwynedd, LL35 0SB

Telephone
01654 767213

info@trefwales.com

Aberdovey

Dates

From:

18 Jan 2026to6 Dec 2026

Located half a mile from the picturesque harbour village of Aberdyfi, with panoramic views of Cardigan Bay. Relax in comfort and enjoy fine food complimented by friendly service. Indoor swimming pool and spa bath. Families of all ages welcome.

Price
Price £146.00 per person per night for bed & breakfast
Dyfi Hideaway

Address

Dyfi Hideaway, Penestaer, Glandyfi, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8SS

Telephone
07775947674

adam.nags@outlook.com

Glandyfi, Machynlleth

A luxury holiday cottage in the Dyfi Valley near Snowdonia, sleeping up to 6 guests. Pet and family friendly.
Situated on the main Aberystwyth road, with stunning views over the River Dovey (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve). Breathtaking views across the…
Castle View Holiday Park

Address

Beach Road, Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2UG

Telephone
01766 780328

manager@minydonholidayhomepark.co.uk

Harlech

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Castle View Holiday Park is in the perfect location in Southern Snowdonia, overlooked by Harlech's medieval castle, adjacent to the Royal St David's Golf Club, and just a short walk to one of the Country's finest beaches.
Tyddyn Rhys Farm

Address

Aberdovey, Gwynedd, LL35 0PG

Telephone
01654 767769

tyddynrhys@googlemail.com

Gwynedd

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Tyddyn Rhys commands a privileged position half a mile above the village of Aberdovey with a panoramic view overlooking the Dovey Estuary and Cardigan Bay. The Welsh speaking family offer a warm Welsh welcome amidst some of Wales' most beau

Price
Price £85.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast