Many people dream of seeing the Northern Lights. The gorgeous green and purple waves of light are a truly awe-inspiring phenomenon, and people will travel hundreds of miles just to catch a glimpse. If you are one of these people who dream of seeing the lights in your lifetime, you don’t have to travel to the ends of the Earth. In fact, if you know where to look, you can catch sight of them right here in the UK.
Helen Rolph, travel insurance expert at Quotezone.co.uk said: “Many people are beginning to seek more time in nature, away from screens. Even at night, travellers can enjoy the beauty of the UK, with Aurora Borealis sightings possible across northern parts of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“When geomagnetic activity is high, and the skies are clear, the Northern Lights can create stunning displays. Even when the aurora is not visible, the UK’s dark skies still offer magnificent views of stars and planets — plus the chance to relax and unwind, ideal for a peaceful camping trip or staycation.
“High altitudes, away from light pollution, often offer the best chance of seeing celestial events and have become a trendy option for those seeking a New Year’s mini-break with a difference.”
There are 10 locations across the UK where you can catch a glimpse of the lights if you’re lucky. The best places are Dark Sky Reserves, where city lights are scarce and the night sky can be properly observed.
The UK has seven of these reserves, and four of them offer a chance to spot the lights.
The top 10 places you can see the Northern Lights in the UK:
1. Snowdonia, Gwynedd and Conwy (Dark Sky Reserve)
2. The Lake District, Cumbria
3. Penmon Point, Isle of Anglesey
4. Mam Tor, Derbyshire
5. OM Dark Sky Park & Observatory, Tyrone (Dark Sky Reserve)
6. Shetland Islands
7. Northumberland National Park (Dark Sky Reserve)
8. Glencoe, Argyll
9. Giant’s Causeway, Antrim
10. Tan Hill, North Yorkshire (Dark Sky Reserve)
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
