Out of all the towns and cities across England, Swindon has been named as one of the top 10 for stargazing.
Although stars can be seen from almost anywhere in the UK, keen astronomers usually seek out dark, rural locations away from urban life.
This is all well and good if you live deep in the countryside, but for residents living in towns and cities, it can be harder to get away from the bright lights.
Surrounded by miles of Wiltshire countryside, Swindon has an easy escape to nature, which is exactly why experts at outdoor company Millets have named it one of the top 10 towns and cities in England for stargazing.
Using estimates from the Office for National Statistics and light pollution maps, Millets and Go Stargazing were able to look at factors such as average light pollution, air pollution and weather in each location.
Out of 81 English towns, cities and London boroughs analysed by the company, Swindon placed eight on the list of best places to stargaze in England.
Swindon has been named as one of the best English towns for stargazing. (Image: Matthew Robinson)
The town has a light pollution level of 2.16 mcd/meters squared, and an air quality index score of 36, and these factors produced a stargazing score of 8.97 out of 10.
"Dark locations provide optimal conditions for seeing astronomical phenomena, as there is less artificial light to wash out the faint glow of stars, meteor showers, and more," said a spokesperson for Millets.
But Swindon was beaten to seventh place by the nearby Oxford, which had marginally less light pollution and better air quality, giving it a score of 9.15 out of 10.
Taking the top spot in England was Barnsley, which actually has more light pollution than Swindon, but an air quality index score of only 27.
The Northern Lights as seen from North Meadow Nature Reserve in Cricklade (Image: Enya Phillips)
The top 10 best towns and cities to stargaze in England are as follows: Barnsley, Northampton, York, Brighton, Bournemouth, Rochdale, Oxford, Swindon, Peterborough and Havering (London).
Not only is Swindon one of the best English towns for stargazing, but there are several great spots across Wiltshire too.
Here are some of the best places to see the stars in Swindon and Wiltshire.
- Ashbury Hill Ridgeway Car Park, Swindon
- Hackpen White Horse Car Park, Swindon
- Barbury Castle, Swindon
- Blackett Observatory, Marlborough
- Pewsey Downs Car Park, Marlborough
- Cley Hill Car Park, Warminster
- White Sheet Hill, Warminster
- Heaven's Gate, Warminster
- Dinton Park, Salisbury
- Martin Down National Nature Reserve Car Park, Salisbury
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