This is a self-lead stargazing experience where you will hopefully get the chance to enjoy the clear dark skies in the Yorkshire Dales National Park which has been officially granted the status of an ‘International Dark Sky Reserve’, making this area one of the best places in the country to view the skies above. Stargazing around the new Moon is the best time to stargaze as the skies are nice and dark.

Meteors are often called shooting stars, though the bright streaks you see in the sky don't have anything to do with stars.

In fact, what you’re wishing on are tiny particles of dust - leftovers from the birth of our solar system - vaporising in Earth’s atmosphere.

Lyrid meteor shower

The Lyrid meteor shower takes place between 14-30 April as the Earth’s orbit passes through the dust trail left behind, hundreds of years ago, by comet C/186 G1 (Thatcher).

This year, at the peak of the display on the night of 22 April, around 18 meteors per hour are expected to be visible.

The most spectacular are ‘Lyrid fireballs’, which occur when meteoroids the size of a large marble pass through the atmosphere. Their slightly larger size produces a meteor train which we see as a flash and line across the night sky.Each of our self-catering accommodations has private outside patio areas so you can sit out, make yourself a hot drink and enjoy the night sky.

Your stay includes the use of a Dark Skies hamper, blankets, red torches, themo cups, binoculars and hot water bottles. Star gazing books are also available. Download the Starwalk2 free app for added support.

Email jillcrowson66@gmail.com

Find out more information at https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/meteor-shower-lyrids-perseids-geminids-leonids-orionids.html