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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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Islawrffordd Holiday & Touring Park

Address

Islawrffordd Holiday & Touring Park, Talybont, Ffordd Glan mor, Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL43 2BQ

Telephone
01341 247269

info@islawrffordd.co.uk

Ffordd Glan mor, Barmouth

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Islawrffordd Holiday Park is a family run luxury Holiday park - an ideal setting for a holiday in Southern Snowdonia. Luxury Super Pitches & facilities include superb toilet facilities, restaurant, bar & private access to a sandy beach,
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.
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
Rola Cottages

Address

Llwyngwril, Gwynedd, LL37 2QJ

Telephone
07980 822004

hello@rolacottages.co.uk

Llwyngwril

Our two traditional Welsh cottages are situated on the stunning Cambrian coast with breathtaking views of the sea and mountains, close to the sandy beaches of Fairbourne, Tywyn, and Barmouth.
Islawrffordd Holiday Home Park

Address

Talybont, Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL43 2BQ

Telephone
01341 247269

info@islawrffordd.co.uk

Barmouth

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Family owned & run since being established in 1957, Islawrffordd Holiday Park is a 5 star Holiday Park which offers the very best in quality.
Hendy Farm Holidays

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 Bed and Breakfast on a working farm with the privilege of its own halt on the Talyllyn Narrow Gauge Railway!

Price
Price £35.00 to £40.00 per person per night
Afon Rhaiadr Country House

Address

Afon Rhaiadr Country House, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2AH

Telephone
01341 450777

enquiries@afonrhaiadr.co.uk

Dolgellau

Dates

From:

3 Feb 2026to30 Nov 2026

A warm welcome awaits all at Afon Rhaiadr Country House, surrounded by gardens and Woodlands with a stream and waterfall running through. Sumptuous bedrooms with luxury bathrooms. Delicious home cooking. A perfect place to relax and unwind.

Price
Price £95.00 to £155.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast
Hotel Portmeirion

Address

Portmeirion Village, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, LL48 6ET

Telephone
01766 770000

stay@portmeirion.wales

Penrhyndeudraeth

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

The historic Hotel Portmeirion was originally built in 1850 and developed by Clough Williams-Ellis in 1925. It offers 14 rooms and suites in the beautiful surroundings of Portmeirion Italiante Village.

Price
Price £54.50 per person per night to £290.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast
Glandyfi Castle | Stay

Address

Glandyfi Castle, Glandyfi, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8SS

enquiries@glandyficastle.co.uk

Machynlleth

Exclusive-use castle near Machynlleth in Mid Wales, with 11 bedrooms sleeping 22 guests in individually styled bedrooms. Ideal for birthdays, anniversaries and relaxed get togethers with family or friends. Dog friendly venue with 40 acres of…
Gwanas Fawr Holiday Cottages

Address

Gwanas Fawr, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2SH

Telephone
07767388997

info@gwanasfawr.co.uk

Dolgellau

Dates

The perfect location for a holiday in Snowdonia. Situated down a farm track and over a small bridge, the 2 self-catering cottages are surrounded by beautiful farmland with views of Cadair Idris and the Snowdonia National Park.

Price
Price £83.00 per person per night
Coedmor Cottage and Coedmor Barn

Address

Coedmor, Caerdeon, Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL42 1TL

Telephone
01341 430332

coedmorenquiry@hotmail.co.uk

Barmouth

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Charming units nestled between the beautiful Mawddach Estuary and Cader Idris mountain range. Minutes away from Barmouth and Dolgellau the cottages are ideally situated for walking, fishing, bird watching or just relaxing.

Price
Price £320.00 to £530.00 per unit per week
Graig Wen | Cottages

Address

Graig Wen, Arthog, Gwynedd, LL39 1YP

Telephone
01341 250482

hello@graigwen.co.uk

Arthog

Dog-friendly self-catering cottages near Dolgellau, Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, with direct access to the Mawddach Trail. Eco-conscious, peaceful and surrounded by wild scenery, they suit families seeking outdoor adventures and couples looking…
The Wynnstay

Address

Maengwyn Street, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8AE

Telephone
01654 702941

croeso@wynnstay.wales

Machynlleth

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

The Wynnstay Machynlleth is a charming old Coaching Inn. The restaurant appeals to gourmets, hungry locals and travellers. Open fires, log stoves, excellent wines and real ales. "This one is different", said Martin Bright in The Observer.

Price
Price £65.00 to £120.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast
Cefn Crib | Cabins

Address

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

Telephone
01654 791203

sian@cefncrib.co.uk

Machynlleth

Stay in one of Cefn Crib's cosy cabins in Pennal, near Machynlleth. The shepherd's hut and glamping pod both sleep two and offer private decking with countryside views. Ideal for couples seeking a peaceful Mid Wales escape. Book your stay

Price
Price £120.00 per unit per night
Penrhyn Dyfi

Address

Plas Penrhyn, Nr Machynlleth, Gwynedd, SY20 9JR

Telephone
01654 702029

glanfechan@hotmail.com

Nr Machynlleth

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Sleeps 12 - Spacious, elegant Grade II listed Georgian country house with panoramic views overlooking the Dyfi Estuary on the outskirts of Machynlleth, Ideal base to explore the wonders of mid and north Wales and beyond. Aberdovey 10 miles. Perfect…

Price
Price £2,500.00 to £3,000.00 per unit per week
Tan-y-Fron Holiday Park | Holiday Homes

Address

Arran Road, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2AA

Telephone
01341 422638

info@tan-y-fron.co.uk

Dolgellau

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Tan-y-Fron Holiday Park is situated within the beautiful Snowdonia National Park and the nearest to the market town of Dolgellau which is only a few minutes walk (1/2 mile) away.
Cae Du Campsite

Address

Rhoslefain, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9ND

Telephone
01654 711234

caedufarmholidays@gmail.com

Tywyn

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

The Campsite has panoramic sea views of Ynys Enlli and the Llyn Peninsula and the Self Catering accommodation overlooks the Dysynni Valley with coastal views as far as Pembrokeshire on a clear day.

Price
Price £15.00 per touring pitch per night normally for one car and 2 people
Gwesty Pen-y-Bont Hotel

Address

Pen-y-Bont Hotel, Talyllyn, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9AJ

Telephone
01654 782285

info@penybonthotel.co.uk

Tywyn

Dates

A 16th Century Coaching Inn with a spectacular location on Llyn Mwyngil (Talyllyn Lake) near Cadair Idris in the heart of southern Eryri (Snowdonia). Enjoy Bed & Breakfast in one of our five letting rooms, with a hearty Welsh Breakfast by the log…

Price
Price £180.00 per room 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.
Vanner Holiday Cottages

Address

Llanelltyd, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2HE

Telephone
01341 422854

enquiries@vanner.co.uk

Dolgellau

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Semi-detached cottages, stone built, 17th century listed buildings, situated on the banks of the river Mawddach, within a conservation area which includes 15th century Vanner Farm House & Cymer Abbey.

Price
Price £450.00 to £700.00 per unit per week
Cae Du Farm Holidays

Address

Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9ND

Telephone
01654 711234

caedufarmholidays@gmail.com

Gwynedd

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Cae Du Farm Holidays - Self Catering with 2 units sleeps 6-16
Located in the beautiful Snowdonia National Park the property has spectacular views over the Dysynni Valley and Cardigan coast. Perfect location for a relaxing country holiday

Price
Price £80.00 to £1,314.00 per unit per night