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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.

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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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
Cefn Crib Caravan Park

Address

Pennal, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9LB

Telephone
07908 654730

brees2000@aol.com

Machynlleth

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Cefn Crib Caravan Park is a small family-run park, situated on a working farm in Snowdonia National Park. Surrounded by mountains, valleys and woodland this well maintained park offers peace and tranquility.

Price
Price £10.00 to £20.00 per touring pitch per night normally for one car and 2 people
Trefeddian Hotel | Self Catering

Address

Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, LL35 0SB

Telephone
01654 767 213

info@trefwales.com

Aberdyfi

Dates

From:

18 Jan 2026to6 Dec 2026

Seascape, Luxury five-star Self Catering Accommodation, with Panoramic Sea Views Overlooking Cardigan Bay.

Price
Price £850.00 to £2,500.00 per unit per week
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.
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
Cefn Crib | Glamping

Address

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

Telephone
01654 791203

sian@cefncrib.co.uk

Machynlleth

Luxury bell tent glamping in Pennal, near Machynlleth, with private facilities, fire pits and views across the Dyfi Valley. A relaxing way to enjoy the outdoors in Mid Wales. Check availability.
Ty Derw Country House B&B

Address

Old Road, Dinas Mawddwy, Nr Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9LR

Telephone
07970349965

tyderw@btinternet.com

Dinas Mawddwy, Nr Machynlleth

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Ty Derw is a charming Victorian stone built B&B in a picturesque setting in the Dovey Valley, about 12 miles from Machynlleth and Dolgellau. The four guest rooms have been refurbished to a very high standard. Ample parking.

Price
Price £50.00 to £57.50 per person per night for bed & breakfast
Lounge Holidays

Address

Tywyn & Barmouth, Southern Snowdonia, LL36 9AE

Telephone
01654 710533

theteam@lounge-holidays.co.uk

Southern Snowdonia

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Lounge Holidays are a family run business based in southern Snowdonia and can accommodate the solo travel to the large family holiday, from one-bed apartments to seven-bedroom beach houses with hot tubs.
Tan-y-Fron Holiday Park

Address

Arran Road, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, Snowdonia National Park, LL40 2AA

Telephone
01341 422638

info@tan-y-fron.co.uk

Gwynedd

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Tan-y-Fron Caravan & Camping Holiday Park is situated in the beautiful Snowdonia National Park, a few minutes walk from the market town of Dolgellau.

Price
Price £10.00 to £76.00 per touring pitch per night normally for one car and 2 people
Maes Carafannau Trefeddian Uchaf

Address

Trefeddian Uchaf, Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, LL35 0SF

Telephone
07814 949032

rhiantrefeddian@yahoo.co.uk

Aberdyfi

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

2 caravans on Welsh speaking family farm within walking distance of Aberdyfi village, the 4 miles of beautiful sandy beach and Aberdyfi's wonderful 18 hole golf course. Wales Coastal path goes through the farm.
Gogarth Hall Farm | B & B

Address

Gogarth Hall Farm, Pennal, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9LB

Telephone
07908 654730

brees2000@aol.com

Machynlleth

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Situated within Snowdonia National Park in a peaceful part of Mid Wales, Gogarth Hall Farm offers peace and tranquillity that is rich in wild life and a haven for rare birds.

Price
Price £50.00 per person per night for bed & breakfast
Lake Vyrnwy Hotel & Spa

Address

Lake Vyrnwy, Llanwddyn, Powys, SY10 0LY

Telephone
01691 870692

info@lakevyrnwyhotel.co.uk

Llanwddyn

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Located high on the hillsides of the Berwyn Mountain range within the 24,000 acre Vyrnwy Nature Reserve, the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel & Spa commands panoramic views to all horizons. The hotel has 52 letting rooms of which 34 have lake views.

Price
Price £125.00 to £185.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast
Brigands Inn

Address

Mallwyd, Dinas Mawddwy, Gwynedd, SY20 9HJ

Telephone
01650 511999

info@brigandsinn.com

Dinas Mawddwy

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

15th Century Coaching Inn set in the heart of the Cambrian Mountains and on the upper banks of the River Dovey. Elegant, spacious bedrooms & deluxe four poster- rooms, all with individual character & charm. Finest local produce used.