As the moon will cover 90% of the sun tomorrow (August 12), millions will gather around the UK to catch the best glimpse of the event. We haven’t had an eclipse like this since 1999, so it is a truly special celestial event, indeed! As a result, it is imperative to plan ahead for the best view, and the best place to watch the partial solar eclipse in the UK is just two hours from Glasgow!
In Glasgow, the partial solar eclipse will begin at 18:08, peaking at 19:06 and ending at 20:00 on Wednesday, August 12.
What is more, car rental experts SIXT has determined the best West-facing places to watch the solar eclipse in the UK, and the best one is close enough to drive to!
Where is the best place to watch the partial solar eclipse in the UK on August 12?
Galloway Forest Park is officially the best place for solar eclipse enthusiasts this week, and it’s just a two-hour drive from Glasgow.
Galloway Forest Park is Europe’s second dark sky park and is home to the UK’s largest forest park, preserving the night sky by removing any kind of light pollution. The spot is a place for just that – a perfectly dark place for stargazing consisting of ten forests. On a clear night, it is said stargazers can witness as many as 7000 stars and planets with the naked eye. And, of course, it won’t be any different for daytime celestial events, such as the aforementioned solar eclipse.
What is more, guests can find three visitor centres inside the park with all the information needed.
The best places to watch the partial solar eclipse
- Galloway Forest Park, Dumfries and Galloway
- Strumble Head, Pembrokeshire
- Exmoor National Park (Valley of Rocks / Countisbury area), Devon and Somerset
- St Agnes Head, Cornwall
- Malham Cove, North Yorkshire
- Rhossili Down, Swansea
- Sutton Bank (North York Moors National Park), North Yorkshire
- The Giant’s Causeway, County Antrim
- Brean Down, Somerset
- St Bees Head, Cumbria
