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UK Stays to See the Northern Lights
Published 28th November 2023
This winter is predicted to be one of the best displays of the Northern Lights for 20 years.
The sun is reaching the peak of its 11 year activity cycle, and the last one was apparently something of a dud, meaning spectacular light shows are on the cards.
You don't need to visit the Arctic Circle to see the Northern Lights. We can see them right here in the UK. Sightings have already been made as far south as Stonehenge. However the further north you head, the better the chances of some aurora action.
What are the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights are beautiful waving curtains of light visible in the winter sky, but what causes them? Here comes the science. Energized particles from solar storms slam into Earth's magnetic field and are drawn towards the north and south poles. They then react with particles in the Earth's atmosphere causing the gorgeous displays of greeny, yellowy, pinky lights we see from below.
When is the best time to see them?
The best time of year to see the Northern Lights in the UK is between October to mid-March. From 10pm to 2am is the most likely time, as the sky is at its darkest. And it may sound obvious, but look northwards!
Where's the best place in the UK to see them?
The Northern Lights have been seen as far south as Cornwall in the past, but the further north you get, the better chance you have. Scotland and the north of England are your best bet, in particular areas with low light levels, like dark sky reserves. Some of the best spots are the Cairngorms, Galloway Forest Park and Northumberland National Park.
If you've always dreamed of seeing nature's premiere light show, here are some of our favourite places to stay in the UK where the magic might just happen!
Lewis Longhouse
Back - Isle of Lewis
Sleeps 4
Walk on stunning beaches or wrap up warm in front of the stove - Lewis Longhouse is a luxury home engulfed in calming natural beauty.
Noss Head Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage
Wick - Caithness
Sleeps 6
Enjoy dramatic sea views and native wildlife at this Lighthouse keeper’s cottage in northern Scotland
Oran na Mara
Scarista - Isle of Harris
Sleeps 6
A uniquely designed, award-winning cottage, overlooking a remote, sandy beach on the Isle of Harris. The perfect Outer Hebrides retreat.
The Kidlandlee School House
Kidlandlee - Northumberland
Sleeps 4
Go off-grid in style in this traditional and luxurious former-schoolhouse that boasts magnificent views across Northumberland valleys and forests.
Boutique Farm Bothies
Huntly - Aberdeenshire
Sleeps 2 +4 per bothy
Three comfy, stylish bothies in the marvellous Aberdeenshire countryside located on a picturesque farm.
Keiss Harbour House
Keiss - Caithness
Sleeps 12
Gorgeous 19th Century holiday home that offers a peaceful retreat in a fishing village on the northeast coast of Scotland.
The Pheasantry
Rothiemay - Banffshire
Sleeps 4
Cosy, traditional cottage with a hot tub on a private estate in Scotland, perfect for couples or families looking for a rural escape.
The Cabin
Durness - Sutherland
Sleeps 4
Quaint rustic cabin on the Northwest coast of Scotland, surrounded by rugged hills and gorgeous beaches.
Knoydart Hide
Inverie - Scotland
Sleeps 2
Experience views to die for at this romantic hideout with hot tub and sauna in Scotland’s remote Knoydart peninsula.
The Lodge in the Loch
Portree - Isle of Skye
Sleeps 6
Luxurious fishing lodge on the water's edge with breathtaking views across Loch Fada to the Old Man of Storr
Delnabo Estate
Ballindalloch - Morayshire
Sleeps 18
Exquisite accommodations on a Scottish estate in the breathtaking Cairngorms National Park.
The Cairngorm Cottage
Dulnain Bridge - Grantown-On-Spey
Sleeps 6
Luxurious cottage with a hot tub and stunning views in the Cairngorms National Park, perfect for a family escape to the Highlands.
The Dell at Glenlivet
Glenlivet - Ballindalloch
Sleeps 2
Luxurious cabins with outdoor baths and log burners in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, perfect for a couple's romantic escape.
Bliss Haus
West Coast - Scottish Highlands
Sleeps 2 - 4
Bliss Haus is a stylish coastal hideaway by the Atlantic ocean, perfect for the ultimate escape from the everyday.
The Hiddle Hut
Hexham - Northumberland
Sleeps 2
Unique two-storey cabin with a star-gazing roof and roll-top bathtub in Northumberland’s rugged countryside, a cosy hideaway for couples.
Blue Reef Cottages
Isle of Harris - Outer Hebrides
Sleeps 2 per cottage
Two award-winning 5 star graded cottages hidden on a Hebridean Isle, with luxury interiors, and stunning views
The Black Hut
Hexham - Northumberland
Sleeps 2 + 2 kids
A unique property, with a crisp and clean design, in the heart of the stunning Northumberland countryside. The ideal place to unwind and reconnect.
Domes by the Sea
Kirkcudbright - Dumfries and Galloway
Sleeps 2 per dome
Domes by the Sea are two wonderful, self-catering geodomes overlooking Kirkcudbright Bay, complete with their own woodburning stoves and stargazing windows.
Captain's Landing
Bamburgh - Northumberland
Sleeps 4
Elegantly appointed apartment with outstanding sea and castle views in beautiful Bamburgh on the Northumberland coast.
House of the Northern Gate
Thurso - Scotland
Sleeps 20
Exclusive use of a Highland Estate with a Baronial house set on the most northerly point of mainland Scotland, perfect for celebrations with large groups.