{"id":726466,"date":"2026-08-03T19:26:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T19:26:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/726466\/"},"modified":"2026-08-03T19:26:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T19:26:14","slug":"the-best-places-to-see-the-solar-eclipse-in-the-uk-from-armagh-to-cornish-beaches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/726466\/","title":{"rendered":"The best places to see the solar eclipse in the UK, from Armagh to Cornish beaches"},"content":{"rendered":"

On 12 August, a solar eclipse will occur over western Europe<\/a>. Although the UK sits just outside the full path of totality, many parts of the country will experience between 89 per cent and 96 per cent coverage of the Sun, meaning even those who cannot travel abroad will still witness a spectacular partial eclipse here at home.<\/p>\n

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow across a portion of the Earth\u2019s surface and obscuring the Sun\u2019s light for a few minutes.<\/p>\n

The next total solar eclipse over the UK<\/a> will not happen until 23 September 2090, so Scotland\u2019s Astronomer Royal, Catherine Heymans, recommends everyone try to get outside and view this year\u2019s event if they can. \u201cTo experience celestial motion in real-time, witnessing the rare brief moment when you, the Moon and the Sun, are all in perfect alignment \u2013 well, that feels just magical,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s eclipse occurs in the evening, starting at around 6.15pm and ending a little after 8pm. This means the Sun will be very close to setting, so you\u2019ll need to be up high or on a shoreline with an open view of the low western horizon.<\/p>\n

The excitement doesn\u2019t end at sunset, though, as this year\u2019s eclipse occurs during the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, offering the best chance of the year to see shooting stars after dark.<\/p>\n

How to watch the eclipse safely<\/p>\n

Safety is important when viewing a solar eclipse. Never look directly at the Sun, even when it is partially or totally eclipsed, as you risk permanently damaging your eyes. Normal sunglasses do not provide protection; you need ISO-rated eclipse glasses purchased from a trusted source.<\/p>\n

\"EclipseEclipse glasses reduce sunlight to safe levels and block harmful rays (Photo: National Space Centre, Leicester)<\/p>\n

According to Neill Sanders of UKeclipse.com<\/a>, safe eclipse glasses should comply with the international safety standard ISO 12312-2. \u201cThis standard specifies the requirements for filters intended for direct observation of the Sun,\u201d says Sanders. \u201cGlasses that meet this standard reduce sunlight to safe levels and block harmful ultraviolet and infrared radiation. Reputable manufacturers test their products to ensure they meet these strict requirements before they reach consumers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trusted UK sources for eclipse glasses include the Royal Observatory<\/a>, First Light Optics<\/a> and Sollunae<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t have eclipse glasses, you can make a pinhole camera using a piece of card with a hole poked in it to cast a shadow of the eclipse on the ground, or by simply observing the crescent-shaped shadows of tree leaves.<\/p>\n

Robert Massey, deputy executive director of the Royal Astronomical Society<\/a>, says that you may experience strange effects, as the UK is fairly close to the eclipse\u2019s centre line. \u201cYou will see the quality of shadows changing, for example, so if you hold up your hand, you might see the ends of your fingers have these weird little crescents hanging off them. The light can also take on a weird purple hue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Massey also suggests carrying a jumper or cardigan: \u201cEven with the summer we\u2019ve been having, you will probably notice a drop-off in temperature, because you\u2019re reducing the intensity of sunlight by so much.\u201d<\/p>\n

Where to get closest to totality<\/p>\n

An eclipse appears slightly differently depending on where you view it because the Earth is round and the Moon\u2019s shadow moves across it. So, exact timings differ depending on your location. You can calculate the exact timings for your location using Timeanddate.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe Scilly Isles, including the island of Bryher, will experience up to 96.5 per cent coverage (Photo: James Osmond\/Getty)<\/p>\n

The highest coverage, up to 96 per cent, will occur on the Isles of Scilly, while mainland Cornwall and the southwest of England will see up to 95 per cent coverage \u2013 the closest you\u2019ll get in the UK to the path of totality. Any coastline with a view to the west will offer a suitable viewpoint, with the Welsh coast seeing up to 93 per cent coverage in many areas. <\/p>\n

Where to view in London<\/p>\n

London will experience around 91 per cent coverage, but buildings and foliage could be a significant barrier, since the Sun will be low in the sky. For the best view, find a hilltop or building with a view to the west, such as Blackheath, Hampton Court Palace<\/a> or Primrose Hill. Gotford\u2019s Hill in Freyernt Country Park, in the borough of Brent, and Blythe Hill in the borough of Lewisham also have high vantage points to the west. You could also put a new spin on a Waterloo sunset and try watching from a Thames bridge, or head to a skyscraper or rooftop venue, such as the Shard, the Roof Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street or the Sky Garden.<\/p>\n

SW London Astronomers<\/a> will be hosting an informal viewing event on Tooting Common with solar telescopes and eclipse glasses. In East London, Loughton Astronomical Society<\/a> will host a free event at the Bury Road Car Park near Chingford, with special hydrogen-alpha and white light telescopes and eclipse glasses.<\/p>\n

\"PrimrosePrimrose Hill offers a vantage point for viewing the eclipse over London (Photo: Gabriel Mello\/Getty)<\/p>\n

Events around the UK<\/p>\n

Many observatories, astronomy clubs and venues across the UK are holding special events with a chance to meet an astronomer or view the eclipse through a telescope fitted with a special solar filter. Below are a few highlights; check out UKeclipse.com<\/a> for a more exhaustive list.<\/p>\n

Leicester<\/p>\n

The National Space Centre<\/a> is hosting an event with safe eclipse viewing, a planetarium show, live astronomy, family activities and an exclusive evening event.<\/p>\n

\"AA child watching the partial solar eclipse in 2025 (Photo: National Space Centre, Leicester)<\/p>\n

Hampshire<\/p>\n

Fordingbridge Astronomers<\/a> is holding a free public event with solar telescopes and approved eclipse glasses followed by a \u201cPerseid Picnic\u201d after dark to view the meteor shower. The event takes place on Fordingbridge Recreation Grounds, where you\u2019ll get 93 per cent eclipse coverage.<\/p>\n

Northumberland<\/p>\n

Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory<\/a> is holding a special viewing event to witness 90-92 per cent coverage. Solar telescopes and eclipse glasses will be available, and in the evening there will be stargazing and Perseid meteor-spotting.<\/p>\n

\"AfterAfter the eclipse, Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory is offering a stargazing session (Photo: Battlesteads Observatory Team)<\/p>\n

Somerset<\/p>\n

Bossington Hall<\/a> near Portlock has a special bed, breakfast and eclipse-viewing package, with a glass of bubbly and free eclipse glasses, plus meteor-spotting after dark.<\/p>\n

Cornwall<\/p>\n

As part of the Falmouth Week<\/a> festival, the Royal Navy Parachute Display Team, the Flying Comrades and the AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers will be putting on an air display from 6.15pm as the solar eclipse takes place overhead. Coverage will be 95 per cent, with vantage points in Falmouth including Pendennis Castle<\/a>, Gyllyngvase Beach and the lawns of The Falmouth Hotel<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe eclipse can be viewed from the lawns at The Falmouth Hotel, which look out over the sea (Photo: 3deep)<\/p>\n

Glamorgan<\/p>\n

Bridgend Astronomical Society<\/a> will host a free public event at Rest Bay in Porthcawl, with a chance to talk to astronomers and see the eclipse at about 93 per cent coverage through a solar telescope.<\/p>\n

Edinburgh<\/p>\n

The Astronomical Society of Edinburgh<\/a> will host an eclipse viewing party on Calton Hill at the old City Observatory. Eclipse glasses will be given away and there will be solar telescopes to view the Sun, which will reach 91 per cent coverage.<\/p>\n

\"Edinburgh'sEdinburgh\u2019s City Observatory ceased operating in 2009 and is now home to an art centre (Photo: Tomas Sereda\/Getty)<\/p>\n

Armagh<\/p>\n

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium<\/a> is holding an Eclipse Family Fun Day with solar-themed planetarium activities, crafts, rocket-building, interactive space activities and food stalls, as well as eclipse-viewing from the Astropark \u2013 a scale model of the universe in the grounds. There will be about 94 per cent eclipse coverage here.<\/p>\n

Where to see a total eclipse outside the UK<\/p>\n

If this eclipse gets you hooked, you can experience another as soon as next summer \u2013 but further afield. Taking place on 2 August 2027, it will be the 21st century\u2019s longest land-based total solar eclipse, lasting up to six minutes and 23 seconds near Luxor, Egypt. Also in the path of totality are parts of Algeria, Gibraltar, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia. New Scientist offers eclipse-themed trips<\/a>; a 12-day Morocco tour, with expert-led eclipse viewing in a remote part of the Rif Mountains, starts at \u00a35,499pp, departing 30 July 2027.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"On 12 August, a solar eclipse will occur over western Europe. Although the UK sits just outside the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":726467,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[23071,23070,59,90,240144,56,4073,54,55],"class_list":["post-726466","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-science","tag-eclipse","tag-eclipses","tag-gb","tag-science","tag-summer-in-the-uk","tag-uk","tag-uk-travel","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/726466","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=726466"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/726466\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/726467"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=726466"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=726466"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=726466"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}