The clocks have changed. The nights are drawing in. All around are signs that autumn is in full swing. Squirrels are scurrying around, harvesting and hiding acorns, preparing for the winter ahead. Leaves are falling, carpeting the woodland in rich oranges and yellows. From one day to the next the trees are losing their foliage, and with it their shape. Returning instead to a skeletal form, twigs and branches bracing themselves against the cold. Beyond the trees the blue skies give way to early-evening sunsets. And before we know it, darkness falls.
But above the trees and the rolling landscape of the North York Moors, a canopy of stars appears. Our eyes are drawn upward. Over the course of a few minutes, brilliant points of light appear, reminding us of our place in the universe. The Milky Way spans the night sky. Familiar constellations come into view, Orion, and the Big Dipper, with many more yet to be learned.
Located in the North York Moors National Park, Ladycross is a stargazer's paradise. In fact, our friends at the National Park are so keen to preserve our pristine night skies that we're unable to illuminate the sign at the entrance to the park! Egton village is a further mile down the lane, home to a handful of houses and only a scattering of street lights.
There's simply nowhere better to experience the beauty of the night sky. Throughout the year our guests love making use of our freedom field. A space to run and play, to enjoy picnics and enjoy leisurely evenings. Through the colder months the freedom field becomes the perfect place from which to observe the night sky. In all its captivating and spectacular glory.
Why the North York Moors is a Dark Skies Haven
Back in December 2020, the North York Moors National Park was designated an International Dark Sky Reserve by DarkSky. One of only 24 Dark Sky Reserves in the world, the North York Moors is officially one of the best places in the country to see stars. This is because of the low light pollution levels and clear horizons.
Ladycross is far enough removed from local towns and cities to keep the impact of light pollution to a minimum. From a town or city you'll be lucky to spot more than a handful of stars. The further away you get from street lights, the better the view. In the darkest areas of the National Park you can spy up to 2,000 at any one time!
Although surrounded by woodland, Ladycross offers dramatic night-sky views. And there are plenty of opportunities to get an even better view if you travel a little further afield.
Dalby Forest is an outstanding Dark Skies site to see the stars, planets, nebulae and galaxies. Their astronomy partners, Astro Dog, offer exciting, interactive, stargazing sessions.
Enjoy a guided tour of the night sky, learning about all the wonders of night sky. Use telescopes and binoculars to view the planets, Moon and stunning deep space objects such as star clusters, galaxies and nebulae. Embark on a journey to the edge of the universe inside an immersive 360° planetarium dome. Find out how to view the night sky from the comfort of your home using planetarium software. Visit the Dalby Forest website for more information:
https://www.forestryengland.uk...
The North York Moors National Park Dark Skies Festival is returning in 2026. Look out for a whole host of amazing star-gazing events from 13 February - 1 March. These include:
- Dark Skies Festival - our annual celestial celebration for 17 days during February. Expect stargazing safaris, nocturnal nature and ghost walks, starlight runs, mindful sessions, children's trails, art workshops and more, from Hawes to the moors and shores!
- Scarborough & Ryedale Astronomical Society (SARAS) holds stargazing events in Dalby Forest on the first Friday of most months between October and March each year between 8pm and 9.30pm.
- Whitby Astronomical Society organise Star Parties on Whitby's West Cliff during the summer and in the Bruce Observatory at Whitby School during the rest of the year and at other locations in the North York Moors, including The Moors National Park Centre at Danby.
- Join Astro Dog for one of their stargazing events, which start in September and run all winter. With access to their large telescope, enjoy a guided tour of our night sky with their experts.
- Steve Bell Photography runs a limited number of weekend photography workshops throughout the year.
- Large Outdoors run a series of stargazing experiences throughout the year, including at Sutton Bank Star Hub.
- Adventures for the Soul host events incorporating night walks with yoga and mindfulness, the ultimate way to appreciate your surroundings in a reflective and 'present' approach, truly connecting with nature.
- Rewilding Adventure specialise in bushcraft and outdoor activities. Check out their varied programme of after-dark experiences including night navigation, moon rise viewings, dinner by campfire and moonlit meanders.
- AFS Mountaineering run night navigation masterclasses to improve your understanding and confidence in the dark. Such skills could allow you to travel to more remote spots and admire the skies.
Stars, Constellations & Celestial Spectacles
Autumn and winter deliver some of the most spectacular dark-sky viewing in the North York Moors. This is especially true as the nights grow longer and the Milky Way arches overhead like a chalky river of light. With no telescope required, the season brings a parade of stars, constellations and dazzling celestial objects to observe.
Early in autumn, the famous Summer Triangle still hangs in the west, made from the bright stars Vega, Deneb and Altair. Cassiopeia rises high overhead, her distinctive “W” shape a reliable pointer toward the Andromeda Galaxy. That faint smudge of light is our nearest major galactic neighbour and the most distant object easily visible to the naked eye, a dreamy swirl of billions of stars.
Orion becomes the showstopper as winter progresses. His belt of three stars forms a recognisable guidepost in the southern sky, while the bright blue-white star Rigel and the fiery red Betelgeuse flash dramatic colour contrasts. Just below his belt lies the Orion Nebula, a birthplace of stars that appears as a tiny, hazy glow when viewed from a dark, rural spot like Ladycross.
The Pleiades star cluster, a shimmering group often called the Seven Sisters, ascends high in the east during November and December. Nearby, the bright star Aldebaran marks the eye of Taurus the Bull. To the north, the Great Bear, Ursa Major, wheels slowly around Polaris, the steadfast North Star that has guided travelers for centuries.
Planets add their own sparkle depending on timing. Jupiter and Saturn often grace the evening skies in these months, shining steadily rather than twinkling like the stars. If luck (and clouds) allow, you might even catch a meteor shower, such as the Leonids in November or the Geminids in December, streaking silently across the darkness.
Clear, crisp nights can reveal a universe both ancient and immediate. With just your eyes and a warm coat, the colder seasons offer a perfect invitation to look up and rediscover the sky.
If you're a novice when it comes to stargazing, a number of helpful apps are available. These make it easy to identify different constellations and celestial objects like planets and galaxies.
Ladycross Woodland Holiday Park: A Stargazer’s Sanctuary
Ladycross is open to seasonal and touring caravans from spring to autumn. Our woodland holiday lodges are available to rent 10 months of the year (March to January). Lodge owners are welcome to use their lodges all year round.
Cosy Woodland Lodges
Staying at Ladycross during the winter is a unique experience. Nestled amongst the trees, our woodland lodges offer cosy, quiet and comfortable accommodation. Designed to make the most of our natural environment, large windows are carefully positioned to make the most of the view whilst maintaining privacy.
Open-plan kitchens make for a sociable layout, with plenty of space for everyone to relax and unwind together. Bi-fold doors open onto private decking, the perfect place for al fresco dining - at all times of year! The decking areas also make for perfect stargazing platforms. Bring your favourite hot drink, a cosy blanket and sit out under the night sky. Inside, guests can enjoy the warmth and gentle flicker of a wood-burning stove. Smart TVs are available to enjoy, with WIFI too so everyone can stay connected to the outside world - if they wish!
Bedrooms and bathrooms are well designed, providing comfortable accommodation for your whole family or group. Find out more about the architecture of woodland lodges.
Woodland Location
Ladycross is set in 95 acres of mature woodland. The park is popular with touring and seasonal caravan owners, as well as those who prefer the comforts of a woodland lodge. Our woodland is home to local wildlife including badgers, foxes, deer and various birds of prey. We're proud to have created a beautiful park which operates in harmony with the wildlife which also call this place home.
Many guests comments about the peaceful and quiet atmosphere around the park. This is true even in the height of summer. Our thoughtfully positioned caravan pitches help keep noise to a minimum, and lodges are generously spaced to avoid overlooking the neighbours. This also helps emphasise the greenery. Magnificent trees are always within touching distance. These help create natural screening between pitches and lodges, further enhancing the peace, quiet and privacy of Ladycross.
Easy Access
Egton is definitely a rural location, but not the middle of nowhere. We're just a few miles from Whitby and only a short drive from other popular coastal destinations, including:
- Staithes
- Runswick Bay
- Sandsend
- Robin Hood's Bay
Traveling inland, you'll find the Esk Valley villages close at hand. These include places like Lealholm and Castleton, as well as Danby, which is home to one of the North York Moors National Park visitor centres. You'll find friendly pubs, cafes and tearooms in many of the local villages. And for those who enjoy walking, well, you're spoiled for choice! The Esk Valley Walk is a relatively new long distance walking route. It can be enjoyed in sections, so you can tackle some, most or all of it at a pace that suits you.
A little further afield you'll find the market towns of Pickering, Malton and Kirbymoorside. These all make great locations for a day out, with fantastic options for coffee, lunch or a delicious meal out. York is just an hour away. We'd recommend using the Park & Ride service from Monks Cross. You'll beat the traffic into the city, and once there everything's walking distance.
For the history buffs we've got Whitby Abbey on our doorstep. Scarborough Castle, Pickering Castle and Helmsley Castle are all a short drive away and well worth a visit. This is especially true if you have English Heritage membership.
Activities and Things to Do
Whitby offers so much to do, almost all year round. Check out our run down of events happening in Whitby throughout the autumn and winter. Here are some suggestions for other activities you might like to try:
- Cycle Hire
Head down to Robin Hood's Bay and hire some bikes from Cinder Bike Hire. They're located next to the visitor car park and on the route of the Whitby to Scarborough (disused) railway line. Mountain bikes and e-bikes are available to hire by the day or half day. The ideal way to explore the North York Moors and enjoy some amazing views as you ride back into Whitby, or further down the coast to Ravenscar and beyond. - Whitby Storyteller
Book a private guided tour with Rose. She'll share intriguing tales, myths and legends with you as she leads you through Whitby's alleyways and yards. A great way to spend an hour or two learning about our local history. Alternatively, join the Robin Hood's Bay Ghost Walk, for a family-friendly night-time experience. - The Yellow Boats
Head out to see on the Yellow Boats. Take in the amazing coastal scenery, enjoy a sunset cruise, you might even spot a dolphin or two!
How to Make the Most of Your Dark Sky Break
Here are some practical stargazing tips:
- Avoid using torches, or looking at your phone for too long. Turn your screen brightness down if you are using your phone (for star map apps, for example). Give your eyes plenty of time to adjust to the dark. Why not take yourselves for a walk around the park, or even try navigating our woodland trail at night!
- Download star map apps and use these to help you identify specific constellations, planets and galaxies. They're so helpful for beginner astronomers and casual observers.
- Bring binoculars or a small telescope. A good pair of binoculars is a great investment if you enjoy spending time outdoors. Whether you simply enjoy picking out the detail in the landscape, are a keen bird-watcher or a night sky enthusiast, binoculars will supercharge your experience. A small telescope is another great option, especially if you're planning on viewing from a single location like the deck of your woodland lodge.
- Wear warm clothes and take a hot drink with you. Don't underestimate quite how cold it can get on a clear night. Dress appropriately and take extra blankets and a hot drink to enjoy while you're out and about.
It's best to plan your stargazing trips around the lunar cycle. The moon is beautiful, but it can also obscure the view of other celestial objects. For the clearest views of the stars aim for new moon periods throughout the autumn and winter months.
You might also like to plan your trip around specific celestial events. This is especially true of meteor showers.
Your Next Celestial Escape in Egton
Ladycross is the ideal location to enjoy a stargazing escape in North Yorkshire. Situated in the North York Moors National Park, Ladycross enjoys some of the best 'dark skies' across the whole of the UK. Our comfortable and spacious woodland lodges enable guests to make the most of our location. Spend your days enjoying the beautiful Yorkshire coast and moors, then return to Ladycross for cosy stargazing evenings!
We have four lodges available to rent:
- Bracken Howe Lodge
Sleeps 6 in 3 bedrooms. Enjoy spending time in the hot tub, in the peace and quiet of our woodland setting. Very well equipped with everything you'll need to make the most of your stay at Ladycross. - Ewe Crag Beck Lodge
Sleeps 5 in 3 bedrooms. Very well equipped woodland lodge with everything you'll need to make the most of your stay at Ladycross including a private decking area. - Simon Howe Lodge
With two bedrooms, two private bathrooms and a stunning open plan kitchen, living and dining area, Simon Howe Lodge is the perfect base when exploring the North Yorkshire coast. - Shunner Howe Lodge
Sleeping up to five guests, Shunner Howe Lodge is a relaxing and comfortable place to stay. Shunner Howe Lodge provides a fantastic base for exploring Egton, Whitby and beyond.
Come and enjoy the dramatic dark skies of the North York Moors for yourself.
