⚠️ Archived Content
This page relates to the 2019–2024 National Park Management Plan, which is now archived. For the latest aims and objectives, please visit the 2025–2030 Management Plan landing page.
Maintain the National Park as a place where a true sense of tranquillity, remoteness and solitude can be found, and, by 2021, obtain Dark Sky Reserve status to enhance and promote enjoyment of its night sky.
How the local partners are doing on this objective
Progress: The Yorkshire Dales National Park was awarded international Dark Sky Reserve status in December 2020, in recognition of its unpolluted night skies where it’s possible to see thousands of stars, the Milky Way, meteors and even the Northern Lights. Light meters have been installed for ongoing monitoring. Continued support for better lighting through development management advice. Annual Report submitted to DarkSky International in January 2025.
Press Releases & related articles:
22 January 2025 – A star studded line-up to celebrate the Dark Skies Festival’s 10th anniversary
9 January 2025 – North Yorkshire streetlights to be upgraded with LED technology
12 March 2024 – Readings show stargazing at its best
14 April 2022 – Dark Skies Festival Success!
7 December 2020 – Dark Sky Reserve Success for National Parks
9 October 2020 – Local support for Dark Sky Reserve bid
1 July 2020 – Dark Sky Reserve bid endorsed
Rationale: Dark night skies are one of the special qualities of the National Park. Working towards a ‘Dark Skies’ designation has been strongly supported through the Parish Forums and at the National Park Management Plan Forum in 2017. The designation process would lead to advice and support for individuals, businesses and organisations looking to reduce light pollution as well as a programme of activities to encourage enjoyment of the night skies by locals and visitors.
Lead partner: Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
Supporting partners: North Yorkshire Council; Westmorland & Furness Council; Lancashire County Council; Parish Councils
Further information: YDNPA – Stargazing; Dark Sky Discovery website; International Dark Sky Reserves; YDNPA – Good lighting advice; YDNPA – Dark Sky;
Cost over 5 years: £100,000
Funding shortfall: None
Ecosystem services: Sense of place and inspiration; tranquillity; recreation
Trade-offs: The policies in the Yorkshire Dales Local Plan are already sufficient to comply with designation.
Baseline: YDNP is the fourth darkest local authority area in England. 79% of night skies fall in the darkest category.