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Did you know that you can see the Northern Lights in the UK? Yep, that’s right! You don’t have to go all the way to Iceland or Norway for that, there are certain spots right here in the United Kingdom where it’s possible to see the Northern Lights.
Of course, since you need a very dark sky for that to be possible and be quite up north, most of them are located in Scotland but in this article I’ll also share with you a few spots in Wales and England.
So, are you ready to discover where you can see the northern lights in the UK? Let’s go!
1. Shetland Islands
The Shetland Islands are located in Scotland and pretty much as much north as you can get. They are actually quite close to the Faroe islands and a bit further north than Oslo in Norway (to give you an idea of how much north they actually are).
This location makes it ideal for the Northern lights as well as the fact that the population is very little and therefore, so is the light pollution.
While it’s never guaranteed you’d get to see the northern lights in Shetland, the best time to go is between October and March.
2. Outer Hebrides
Apart from the Shetlands, the Outer Hebrides (Lewis, Uist, Barra and Harris) are the best place to see the northern lights in Scotland.
It’s quite far north but unfortunately not the easiest place to get to since you need to go all the way to Skye and then take a ferry from there.
That having been said, if you make it, you’re in for a treat. The islands are stunning during the day and the stargazing opportunities at night are incredible.
It has some of the darkest skies in the UK which makes it a prime location for the Northern Lights in winter. That having been said, they can be spotted as early as September and even sometimes in April.
But the very best time to go is February. That’s when the sky is the darkest and they have a Dark Skies Festival during which you can stargaze, see the lights (with a bit of luck) and learn plenty about the sky.
3. Cairngorms
The Cairngorms National Park is located in the Scottish Highlands and while it’s not as far north as Shetland, it’s a great place for stargazing since there is no light pollution.
There even is a Dark Sky Discovery site at the Glen Tanar Visitor Centre which is a great place to see the northern lights.
You can also go to Glenlivet Estate or the Cairngorm Mountain car park, both locations are known to be good spots to see the northern lights.
The best time to see them is from mid-october to mid-march.
4. Northumberland
Seeing the northern lights in England is a lot less common than in Scotland but there are still a couple of places where you can see them.
The main one is Northumberland which is pretty much as much north as it gets in England.
The best place to see the aurora borealis is the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It’s located on the coast which means that the sky is clearer and is free of light pollution.
The winter months are the best time to get a chance to spot them.
PRO TIP: You can check on the official Visit Northumberland website their stargazing events. They usually run some northern lights nights during which you learn about the phenomenon but also get tips to spot them.
5. Lake District
Again, the northern lights are a lot rarer in this part of the UK than further north but the Lake District is still a good spot for them.
As it’s a national park, the light pollution is close to zero. The sky is very dark and there are a lot of viewpoints that make it easier to see the northern lights.
Grizedale Forest, Wasdale, the Langdale Valley and Derwentwater are particularly good spots.
Even if you are not lucky and can’t see the lights, the sky is absolutely stunning and it’s one of the best places to look at the stars. On top of that, the lakes in the background make it very scenic.
6. Isle of Skye
Located in the highlands, the Isle of Skye is a fantastic place to visit in Scotland but if you can head there between October and March, there is a chance you’d see the northern lights.
It’s preferable to go to the northern tip of Skye since it’s a better location for stargazing.
Also, the Trotternish Peninsula is a great place for hiking and exploring so there is plenty to do during the day as well.
7. Anglesey
Located in North Wales, Anglesey is the largest island in Wales and one of the best places to explore in the UK.
It’s a paradise for wildlife lovers since you can spot dolphins, seals and puffins but it’s also a good destination to see the northern lights.
In all honesty, the chances to see them are a lot lower than in Scotland but if you live in the area, it’s worth keeping an eye on the Aurora Borealis Facebook groups and tracking apps.
Trwyn Du Lighthouse is a location that was particularly highlighted in 2023 since there was some stunning lights there.
Map of the best locations in the UK to see the Northern Lights
I hope this article has given you a good idea of where to see the northern lights in the UK. Don’t forget that this is a natural phenomenon which means it’s unpredictable and luck is required.
If that’s something you’re particularly interested in, I highly recommend downloading the tracking app My Aurora Forecast. This will help you know what is happening and where and will maximise your chances of seeing the green lady.
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