Stargazing in Dorset is a dream for anyone who loves spending time under the stars.
Dorset offers some of the UK’s best dark sky locations, making it easy to spot the Milky Way, planets, and meteor showers with the naked eye.
This guide highlights the best stargazing spots in the area, ranging from renowned viewpoints to quiet, hidden gems.
Anyone looking for the perfect night out, a peaceful family experience, or a place to take amazing night-sky photos will find useful tips here.
Backed by details about low light pollution and easy-to-reach sites, readers can plan stunning star-filled evenings with confidence.
Badbury Rings Car Park
Badbury Rings Car Park is a favourite spot for stargazers in Dorset. Set next to an ancient Iron Age hill fort, it stands about 327 feet above sea level.
There is minimal light pollution, allowing visitors to enjoy clear and stunning night sky views.
The National Trust owns the site, and the car park makes it a very handy location for late-night sessions.
You can even spot star clusters and parts of our solar system on clear nights. Some people bring blankets or reclining chairs for a more comfortable experience.
For those who fancy a longer stay, some stargazers report being able to spend the night in their cars. This allows more time under the stars.
📌 Always check if overnight stays are permitted and follow all rules.
🌌 Good to know:
- Light Pollution: Rural-level darkness
- Parking: Car park fee for non-members, Free for NT members
- Best time to visit: Check here
- 100 m hillfort with 360° views; great for Milky Way and meteors
📍 Shapwick, Wimborne, Dorset, DT11 9JL
Maiden Castle
Maiden Castle stands just outside Dorchester and is one of Dorset’s top stargazing locations.
Its high position and open space make it easy to look up and enjoy the night sky.
The car park offers a great spot to set up telescopes or simply lie back and watch for shooting stars.
People visiting the area escape most of the town’s light pollution, which means you can see more stars, planets, and sometimes meteor showers.
With wide views across the Dorset countryside, Maiden Castle is ideal for amateurs and experienced astronomers. Many find it peaceful, especially on clear, still nights.
🌌 Good to know:
- Light Pollution: Semi-rural-level darkness
- Parking: Free Car park
- Best time to visit: Find out here
- Popular for meteor showers and celestial events
📍 Maiden Castle Road, Dorchester, DT2 9PP
Hardy Monument
Located in Black Down, Portesham, Hardy Monument is set on high ground in the Dorset National Landscape, giving visitors a wide, open sky.
This spot is far from bright city lights, so the stars shine brighter and clearer. It’s easy to access, and there’s safe parking nearby.
Many come here to see meteor showers, constellations, and even the Milky Way on a clear night.
The elevated viewpoint means fewer obstacles, making it easier to spot objects low on the horizon.
🌌 Good to know:
- Light Pollution: Minimal, rural hillside
- Parking: Open and free, not accessible for wider vehicles
- Best time to visit: Click here
- Elevated location; stunning 360-degree views
📍 Black Down, Portesham, DT2 9HY
Cerne Abbas Giant Viewpoint
Sitting above the village of Cerne Abbas, it’s famous for the ancient chalk figure carved into the hillside, known as the Cerne Abbas Giant.
With very low levels of light pollution, the skies here are clear and filled with stars.
On a cloudless night, the Milky Way is often visible to the naked eye. The foliage effectively blocks out stray car headlights, allowing for undisturbed observation of the star-studded sky.
Visitors can use the car park near the Giant, making it an easy-to-access spot after dark. The panoramic views mean wider stretches of sky are on display.
🌌 Good to know:
- Light Pollution: Rural-dark with natural shielding
- Parking: Free parking at the viewpoint
- Best time to visit: See here
- Trees block stray lights, ideal for undisturbed skywatching
📍 38 Acreman St, Cerne Abbas, Dorchester DT2 7JX
West Bexington Beach Car Park
West Bexington Beach Car Park sits right by the sea, away from bright city lights, making it an excellent location to view the night sky.
The open beach gives an unhindered view, perfect for watching meteor showers and spotting constellations.
Many visitors say that sitting on the shingle, with the gentle sound of waves, makes the experience even more special.
It’s easy to reach by car and there’s parking available, so families and groups can visit without stress. The fresh sea air and spacious setting add to the charm.
🌌 Good to know:
- Light Pollution: Very low coastal darkness
- Parking: Free after 6 pm
- Best time to visit: Read here
- Offers direct beach access for stargazing by the sea
📍 West Bexington, Dorchester, DT2 9DG
Lambert’s Castle
Lambert’s Castle sits high on a hill in West Dorset, offering wonderful views across the countryside.
This ancient hill fort isn’t a castle, but it’s known for its dark skies, making it a great spot for stargazing.
While the immediate area around the National Trust car park is heavily wooded, a short walk unveils open fields boasting ‘good’ dark skies.
Here, an unobstructed view of the cosmos awaits, with bright stars peppering the inky expanse.
The secluded meadow atop the hillfort, shielded from light pollution by the surrounding woodlands, allows for an undiluted appreciation of the night sky’s celestial wonders.
🌌 Good to know:
- Light Pollution: Minimal, remote countryside
- Parking: Members park for free; overnight parking/camping not permitted
- Best time to visit: Check here
- Includes easy-to-reach viewing areas
📍 Nr Marshwood, Bridport
Isle Of Purbeck Viewpoint
Set within the Purbeck Hills, it offers wide, open skies and breathtaking views across the countryside.
Visitors can enjoy clear night skies with minimal light pollution, making it an ideal location for spotting constellations and planets.
Parking is easy and free at the car park, so it’s simple to plan a night visit. Do check MOD access restrictions before travelling, as the site is in the Lulworth Ranges area.
Nature lovers will appreciate the peaceful surroundings and sweeping panorama across the Jurassic Coast.
On a clear night, the stars shine especially brightly, giving an unforgettable experience.
🌌 Good to know:
- Light Pollution: Low, coastal-dark
- Parking: Free parking is available
- Best time to visit: Find out here
- Combines seascape horizons with starlit skies
📍 Steeple, Wareham, BH20 5DF
Knowlton Church & Earthworks
Knowlton Church & Earthworks is a unique stargazing spot in Dorset. The church ruins stand within ancient earthworks, creating an atmospheric setting for stargazing.
Visitors often describe the site as both magical and mysterious.
The area is away from city lights, making it easier to see the stars. Stargazers can enjoy wide, open skies above the historic stone remains.
Many people say this is also a great place for astrophotography, thanks to the dramatic backdrop.
Some even say the place is haunted, with tales of ghostly riders and strange mists adding to the thrill.
It’s easy to reach with a small nearby car park, so it’s perfect for both beginners and experienced stargazers.
🌌 Good to know:
- Light Pollution: Rural-level darkness
- Parking: Small layby at site entrance; free
- Best time to visit: Click here
- Historic 12th-century church ruins for unique photos
- Haunted legends add an extra layer of excitement
📍 Knowlton, Wimbourne, BH21 5AE
Durlston Astronomy Centre & Observatory
Set within Durlston Country Park, it offers impressive views across the Isle of Purbeck and out to sea.
Visitors can use the large 14″ Meade telescope at the centre to spot planets, stars, and sometimes even the rings of Saturn.
The observatory’s dome creates a unique experience for anyone curious about the night sky.
The Wessex Astronomical Society often hosts events here, opening the observatory to the public and guiding beginners as they find celestial objects.
Sessions usually run in the evenings and are popular with families and school groups. Check for cancellations before visiting.
🌌 Good to know:
- Light Pollution: Low-moderate, semi-rural level
- Parking: On-site, charges apply
- Best time to visit: See here
- Offers guided telescope viewings
📍 Durlston Country Park, Swanage, BH19 2JL
Fontmell Down Nature Reserve
Fontmell Down Nature Reserve is situated in north Dorset and is renowned for its expansive, open skies and serene views over the Blackmore Vale.
This beautiful spot features open grassland, making it perfect for laying out a blanket and gazing up at the stars.
As part of the Cranborne Chase Dark Sky Reserve, Fontmell Down offers some of the darkest skies in the region.
Stargazers may catch incredible sights of the Milky Way or shooting stars on clear nights.
Quiet fields and minimal foot traffic enhance tranquility and focus for serious skywatchers.
Wildlife lovers will enjoy that the area is also home to many wildflowers and butterflies, creating a magical setting after dark.
🌌 Good to know:
- Light Pollution: Very low, remote reserve
- Parking: Free parking at the reserve entrance
- Best time to visit: Learn more
- Recognised Dark Sky Discovery Site
📍 Spread Eagle Hill, Shaftesbury, SP7 0DT
Ringstead Bay
Ringstead Bay, situated on the coast, offers low light pollution and expansive views of the night sky.
The fresh sea air and peaceful atmosphere make it a relaxing place for an evening under the stars.
Families and friends come here to see meteor showers and constellations. The area is easily accessible by car and features a nearby car park for added convenience.
On clear nights, the Milky Way can often be seen stretching across the sky.
If you enjoy combining a beach walk with stargazing, Ringstead Bay is a perfect choice. The gentle sound of waves adds a special touch to the experience.
🌌 Good to know:
- Light Pollution: Coastal-dark zone
- Parking: Members park for free; overnight parking/camping not permitted
- Best time to visit: Find out here
- Popular for car-based stargazing
📍 Ringstead, near Weymouth, Dorset, DT2 8NQ
Stonebarrow
Stonebarrow sits above Charmouth on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. This spot is renowned for its open skies and minimal light pollution, making it a stargazer’s dream.
On clear nights, even the Milky Way is easy to spot.
Visitors often bring blankets or chairs to relax and watch meteor showers. The area is peaceful and secluded, far from bright city lights, making it perfect for families or anyone looking to gaze at the stars in comfort.
A handy car park and walking paths make Stonebarrow easily accessible.
It is part of the National Trust site and offers stunning views by day and amazing skies by night. Many consider it a top destination for observing celestial events in West Dorset.
🌌 Good to know:
- Light Pollution: little light pollution, rural-level darkness
- Parking: Members park for free; overnight parking/camping is not allowed
- Best time to visit: Check here
- Dramatic cliffs create framed foregrounds for night-sky photos
📍 Charmouth, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 6RA
