For the campers at the Dark Skies site near the Cambrian mountains in Wales, the blackness of the pitches is an important draw. “When people come, they are blown away by the night sky,” said Tanya Jordan, who owns the site and holiday cottages nearby. “We get people who know about it and come for that reason.
” Last week, guests were treated to views of the . “We had two lads in their teens who were doing photography – they were out until 3am,” she said. “When you’re in a city, you can see about 100 stars with the naked eye.
You can see 2,500 here.” While many holidaymakers still seek bright sunshine, complete darkness is a big attraction for a growing number of tourists. Travel companies are reporting a surge in interest in cottages, campsites and hotels that offer the opportunities for stargazing, or a good night’s sleep, afforded by an escape from light pollution.
Jordan said previous visitors have included a man “who wanted to propose to his girlfriend under a starry sky”. In autumn, the whole arc of the Milky Way is visible in the skies above the site. One of the cottages features a “stargazing balcony” to enjoy the view, and visitors can book walks with local astrophotography expert Dafydd Wyn Morgan.
Earlier this year, the holiday rentals website Unique Homestays predicted that “dark sky sleepovers” would be a trend this year after its booking team noticed people were specifically looking for places to enjoy the stars. Jess Clark, the c.