Moonlit Adventure
In Carmarthenshire, discovering the past is not just learning about history. In one of our Dark Sky sites, you can look up and look back 2.5 million years. That’s how long it’s taken the light from the North Star, Orian’s Belt and the Great Plough to reach Carmarthenshire. You can be here much quicker, Carmarthenshire is right at the end of the M4.
In the north of the county, there’s the Cambrian Mountains, here you can explore a 50-mile Astro Driving Trail, It joins sites in Carmarthenshire with new sites in nearby Ceredigion and Powys. There’s a Cambrian Mountains Dark Sky Guide which tells you all about it. To the east of the County, the Brecon Beacons National Park was designated an International Dark Sky Reserve in 2013, only the fifth place in the world to hold the prestigious title – the lack of light pollution here means dazzling views of the Milky Way.
The National Botanical Garden of Wales is the first botanic garden to be designated a Dark Sky Discovery site. Here you can enjoy a night with the stars, at one of their star parties. Listen to astrology experts, experience powerful periscopes, and gaze into the past.
In stories and fairy tales, the most exciting adventures happen by the light of the moon. Come sundown, discover a different side to Carmarthenshire!
The night sky is one of the joys of winter. As the nights draw in and the skies get dark for longer, these dark sky hideouts in Carmarthenshire come alive. Here are some of the best places to see the stars.
• National Botanic Garden of Wales - Dark Sky Discovery Site (Milky Way class, hosts events)
• Llanllwni - Llanllwni Mountain, Llanllwni A great viewpoint for the day and night (SN 507389)
• Llyn Brianne / Car Park in the Upper Tywi Valley near Llyn Brianne dam (SN 793484)
Did you know?
The Cambrian Mountains have launched a new Dark Sky Guide to help visitors catch a glimpse of the Orion, the Great Plough and North Star as well as a 50-mile Astro Driving Trail, joining the new sites in Carmarthenshire with new sites in nearby Ceredigion and Powys.
The Brecon Beacons National Park was designated an International Dark Sky Reserve in 2013, only the fifth place in the world to hold the prestigious title – the lack of light pollution here means dazzling views of the Milky Way.
The National Botanic Garden of Wales was the first botanic garden in Britain to be crowned a Dark Sky Discovery Site, which you might think is all well and good for the plants, but not much use to you at a daytime attraction… Think again! The garden opens up for fabulous Star Parties featuring astronomy experts, powerful telescopes and fascinating talks. Scrutinise the Moon’s craters and spot Jupiter, the Orion Nebula and more cosmic curiosities at the next Star Party.
Find a campsite tucked away in the countryside far from the bright city lights, and embrace the wonder of the dark. https://www.darkskiescamping.wales/
On a clear night, gaze up at the sky for long enough and, you will see shooting stars and maybe even spot a comet.
Put your coat on, grab your camera and dip into the exciting world of night-time photography. Don’t forget to tag us on Facebook and Instagram #Thisiscarmarthenshire
Enjoy the celestial spectacle on a night time stargazing walk in the Beacons with Hawk Adventures; find the best places to make out the different constellations and, if you’re lucky, catch a crystal clear view of a meteor shower.
Discover what Mother Nature gets up to when you’re usually asleep at Dinefwr on a Bat Walk. These ranger-led walks use special bat-listening equipment to take you as close as possible to the fascinating nocturnal creatures. Bat Walks usually run in the autumn months.
As well as stargazing walks, Hawk Adventures also runs forest walks for the truly brave. Feel your senses become sharper and more alert as you venture into Brechfa Forest after dark,as you follow trails to areas at times, pitch black.