Birr Castle & the Great Telescope
Home of the historic 72-inch "Leviathan of Parsonstown" โ once the largest telescope in the world. Today Birr Castle Demesne features the restored Great Telescope (now a museum piece), an active radio telescope operated by I-LOFAR, and a science centre with interactive exhibits on astronomy, engineering, and botany.
The castle grounds and gardens alone are worth the visit โ over 120 acres of parkland with rivers, woodland walks, and rare trees.
๐ Blackrock Castle Observatory
A 16th-century castle on the banks of the River Lee, now home to an interactive astronomy centre and research facility run in partnership with CIT. The observatory features exhibits on the cosmos, life in the universe, and space exploration โ all inside a beautifully restored fortified tower.
Perfect for families with interactive exhibits, and the castle cafรฉ has great views of the river.
Schull Planetarium
A community planetarium in the scenic West Cork village of Schull, donated by German benefactor Herr Menke with help from local astronomy enthusiasts including Gerry Desmond. It's a charming small-scale facility in a stunning coastal location โ combine with stargazing on the wild Atlantic coast.
The area around Schull has very dark skies and Sir Bernard Lovell himself had a holiday home nearby.
โญ Armagh Planetarium & Observatory
One of the oldest astronomical research institutions in the UK and Ireland, founded in 1789. The Observatory has a rich history of contributing to our understanding of the solar system, stellar astronomy, and climate. The adjacent Planetarium offers public shows and exhibitions. Our club has visited as a group โ it makes for a brilliant day trip from Limerick.
Getting a tour of the observatory itself โ with its centuries-long history โ is much more rewarding than the planetarium alone. The club has made trips here previously.
Davagh Forest Dark Sky Park
A designated Dark Sky Park and Observatory about an hour from Armagh. The OM Dark Sky Park & Observatory features a small but well-equipped observatory and offers a genuine dark-sky experience in the Sperrins. Nearby Beaghmore Stone Circles add an ancient astronomical dimension to your visit.
Beautiful walking trails through the forest, and glamping options nearby make it easy to spend a night under the stars.
"Beautiful walks in the area too, and Beaghmore stone circle is nearby also. There is a glamping place not far from OM." โ Andrew
Royal Observatory Greenwich
Stand on the Prime Meridian line, see Flamsteed's original observatory, and explore the history of timekeeping and navigation. The Observatory houses historic telescopes, the Harrison sea clocks, and a planetarium. The National Maritime Museum nearby is equally excellent.
Take the Uber Boat (Thames Clipper) for great views of the city skyline. Strolling the historic streets of Greenwich village is a delight in itself.
Science Museum
One of the world's great science museums, with free general admission. The space gallery features real spacecraft, rocket engines, and satellite hardware. Special exhibitions rotate โ Andrew visited during the incredible Cosmonauts exhibition (2016) which included an original Soviet lunar lander and Lunokhod rover.
Check what exhibitions coincide with your trip โ they often host blockbuster temporary shows with artefacts you can't see anywhere else.
The Monument
Most people know the Monument as a memorial to the Great Fire of London โ but it has a secret astronomical history. The hollow column was designed by Robert Hooke to function as a zenith telescope, with a laboratory in the basement for observing stars directly overhead through the column's shaft.
A hidden gem for astronomy history enthusiasts visiting the City of London.
โญ European AstroFest
The premier astronomy festival in the UK, held annually in Kensington. Features talks by world-class speakers, a huge exhibition hall with telescope and equipment vendors, and a great atmosphere for meeting fellow enthusiasts. Our club has done several group trips to AstroFest over the years โ it's become a firm favourite.
Other London astronomy events worth checking: New Scientist Live (October), BAA and SPA monthly meetings, Royal Astronomical Society public events, Flamsteed Astronomical Society and Baker Street Irregular Astronomers telescope nights.
"The club has done several trips to AstroFest in London over the years... Maybe a trip to Astrofest is in order for 2027!" โ Dave
Herstmonceux Castle โ Observatory Science Centre
The former home of the Royal Greenwich Observatory (1957โ1990), set in the grounds of a stunning 15th-century moated castle. The Science Centre houses several large Grubb telescopes in their original domes, plus over 100 interactive science exhibits. They host public star parties โ an unforgettable experience under dark Sussex skies.
Combine with a trip to London for a fabulous few days of science tourism.
Jodrell Bank Observatory
Home of the iconic 76-metre Lovell Telescope โ a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019. Jodrell Bank has been at the forefront of radio astronomy since 1945, and today the visitor centre offers an immersive experience covering everything from the birth of radio astronomy to modern-day space tracking across the entire electromagnetic spectrum.
The sheer scale of the Lovell Telescope in person is awe-inspiring. Used not just for radio astronomy but for tracking space telescopes and missions across the EMS.
"I second that mention of Jodrell Bank. Used not just for radio astronomyโฆ" โ John & Evelyn
Herschel Museum of Astronomy
The house where William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus in 1781, using a telescope he built in the back garden. Now a museum celebrating William and his sister Caroline Herschel โ one of history's greatest astronomical partnerships. The museum recreates their workshop and garden observatory.
Bath itself is a beautiful Georgian city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site โ combine astronomy with history, architecture, and the Roman Baths.
South Downs Planetarium
A small but passionate community planetarium near Chichester. What makes it special is the personal touch โ run by dedicated volunteers with a genuine love of astronomy outreach. The projector here is a piece of history itself, having previously been used at Armagh Planetarium.
The South Downs National Park is also a designated Dark Sky Reserve โ excellent for observing.
Royal Observatory Edinburgh
Perched on Blackford Hill with panoramic views of Edinburgh, the Royal Observatory is home to the UK Astronomy Technology Centre and hosts public open evenings, exhibitions, and guided tours of the historic Victorian telescope domes. The visitor centre covers Scottish contributions to astronomy from James Gregory to modern space instrumentation.
Edinburgh itself is packed with science heritage โ from Charles Piazzi Smyth's legacy to the Scottish National Museum's excellent science galleries.