When you need a moment of true stillness, nothing beats a night under the stars, sitting in silence, wrapped up together, with the universe laid out above you. Drift into the sky for a while and come down a little calmer, a little clearer, at these great places to go starbathing.
This is just one of ten types of experience in The Feel Good 100, a series of ways to boost your wellbeing with the outdoors. You can see the other types here, or sign up to our newsletter, and have them sent straight to your inbox over the next few weeks.
Take your chance on a clear, still night, to sink into the tub on the deck and be surrounded by stars, as they sparkle above you and beside you, reflected in the water of the pond. With nobody around for miles and no distractions, it'll feel like you're floating through space.
Moon Cocoon tricks you into thinking there’s simply nothing more dazzling, with colourful interiors, bluebell carpets in spring and birds pirouetting through the thicket. Wander straight from freestanding bath to firepit, to discover the amber warmth of sunset has turned to onyx, speckled in light.
Marvel at its lofty ceilings, epic doors or the chandelier. Admire the rich woods seamlessly blending with bright colours and gold. When doors open, the smell of pine from the surrounding woodland drifts in. The stars will put on a show just for you as you simmer in the hot tub.
It’s hard to stay down to earth here. You’ll have your head in the clouds, eating and bathing outdoors with the covered deck. When stargazing, you’re spoilt for choice. Use the telescope, lie back in bed and gaze out the window above – or sit round the firepit and let your head tilt to the heavens.
Sitting in the shadow of The Cat’s Back, you could wander up it at night to see the night’s sky unfold over the Bannau Brycheiniog. But if you’re feeling like a gentler evening in, just settle for a night in the outdoor bath, enjoying the very best of what the Dark Sky Reserve has to offer.
The Sleepout’s all about minimal interference, with its own borehole, solar lights and even a turfed roof. It’s no surprise then there’s little light interference – the night sky comes alive with stars. Settle in with a glass of wine, and a candlelit spot in the Hikki hot tub, and start counting.
With basic needs catered to, and a few luxurious ones too, you’ll enjoy outdoor showers, dinner over the firebowl and soaking in the hot tub. What you’ll enjoy even more, is the minimal solar lighting, leaving the dark skies ever more visible. Listen out for barn owls, as the stars twinkle.
By day, the views are obvious. The Celtic Sea can be seen from the wildflower meadow, as easily as the sofa. But as dusk begins, and sunset views over the sea fade into night, the sky comes alive – with The Milky Way visible to the naked eye – though a telescope is at hand for a closer look.
Daytime will see you staring out the panoramic window from your bed, or soaking in the copper bathtub, begging for a mid-afternoon read. But the real magic is a night under the Cranborne Chase Dark Skies Reserve – make a pizza for a midnight snack, as you keep an eye out for shooting stars.
With the Scottish countryside stretching out in every direction, and wind turbines gently turning on the horizon, daytime’s stunning. But it’s nothing compared to the dark skies at night, especially when the northern lights can appear from time to time.
As part of The Feel Good 100, we’ll be giving away a great prize every week for the next ten weeks. We’re talking wild spa weekends, treehouse adventures and even a stay for six at a Beach House in Dorset.
Stargazing connects us to the enormity of the universe, putting everyday worries into perspective and instantly boosting wellbeing and creativity. To really appreciate the majesty of the night skies, you need to be in an area with minimal light pollution and allow plenty of time for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. That’s why a remote glamping space with comfy chairs on the deck and layers of blankets is the perfect place for cosmic contemplation. In some of our spaces you can even spot constellations from the warm cocoon of a private hot tub, or take a last glimpse of the heavens from a skylight over your bed.
An astrophysicist at the University of Oxford, Dr Becky Smethurst has an unnatural level of enthusiasm for making videos about science. She focuses on how we know things, not just what we know. She especially loves the things we still don't know. We follow along with Dr Becky as she tours our spaces, looking skyward to discover the patterns of the night sky – with tips for how to get the most out of your stargazing.
Escape the bright lights of the city and marvel at the vast expanse of stars above in the UK’s best dark sky spots. If you normally glance skyward from a suburban back garden you’ll be amazed at the difference a lack of light pollution makes. On clear nights you can see constellations, meteor showers, and even the Northern Lights on occasion. Awe-inspiring spectacles deserve to be witnessed from unique accommodation, so book one of our remote glamping places for a front-row seat to the celestial displays.
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