Barnharrow Holiday Pods

With plenty to do during the day, you’d be forgiven for grabbing an early night. But you’d be missing out on something rather wonderful. When night falls you’ll probably notice just how dark it is. For anyone who lives in a more urban environment it can come as a bit of a shock – after all, so many parts of the UK suffer from light pollution, from street lighting, external and internal building lights, but less populated areas mean much less artificial light. Not only is less artificial lighting good for the environment, wildlife and the climate, it also means we can enjoy the natural beauty of the night sky, the vastness of the universe and Nature’s very own light show.

Explore the dark skies of Dumfries and Galloway

A late night drink outside your pod will bring rewards if you’re lucky enough to be out on a cloudless evening. But here’s the thing, a very short drive away is a Dark Sky Park. Awarded gold tier status in 2009 by DarkSky (formerly the International Dark Sky Association), Galloway Forest Park was the very first designated dark sky park in the UK and one of only approximately 100 worldwide – we think that is pretty special. As the largest forest in the UK, covering almost 800 square-kilometres, it is totally unspoilt and a perfect place to enjoy the night sky.

Whether you’re a keen amateur astronomer or just want to experience a starry spectacular, make sure you schedule a night trip to Galloway Forest Park. Closest to us is the visitor centre at Kirroughtree, just beyond Newton Stewart, or you can travel a little further to the visitor centres at Glentrool or Clatteringshaws. All of the centres have information points to help you identify the stars.

Heading in the direction of Dumfries or Sanquhar for the day? Then why not spend the evening in Moffat, Europe’s very first dark sky town. Originally a sheep farming town, Moffat also enjoyed spa status until 1921 when the Hydropathic Hotel burnt down. It’s always been a great centre for walking, but it also attracts visitors because the town’s special street lighting keeps light pollution to a minimum. Far from heading to the middle of nowhere, you can enjoy a meal in Moffat and then park up just outside the town to see the night sky in all its glory.

Learn more about the stars

If you’re inspired to know more about astronomy and space a visit to Kirkcudbright Dark Space Planetarium is a must. The Planetarium is an amazing immersive experience with a fascinating variety of interactive exhibits covering everything from the solar system to space exploration. Allow two hours for your visit – the Planetarium show is 45 minutes – and be aware that the venue is closed on Thursdays.

And after a night with the stars, what could be better than retiring to your pod and curling up in bed for a wonderfully peaceful sleep!