In a world full of beautiful natural phenomena, the northern lights must still be one of the most breathtaking sights you can see. Who wouldn’t want to marvel at stunning streams of green and purple glowing impossibly in the night sky?
We most often associate the northern lights with countries like Norway, Sweden and Iceland. But it’s entirely possible, though not common, to see this gorgeous phenomenon in England as well. Take a look at our handy guide to learn how to enjoy your own northern lights experience without the trouble of plane travel.
What are the northern lights?
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, happens because of interactions between solar wind and the earth’s magnetic field. Since the earth has two magnetic poles, there are two types of auroras – the aurora borealis in the northern hemisphere and the aurora australis in the southern one.
What is solar wind?
Solar wind isn’t a flow of air – it’s a flow of charged particles that comes from the sun. Its intensity can vary over time and is higher during strong solar storms, also known as coronal mass ejections.
The wind’s particles are typically subatomic – usually electrons and protons.
What happens when the solar wind meets our atmosphere?
When the particles in the solar wind approach the earth, they are drawn in toward our poles by the earth’s magnetic field, coming to approach our planet at millions of miles per hour. Then the charged particles collide with atoms in the earth’s atmosphere. As a result, the atoms in the atmosphere turn into ions that emit light in bright colours.
A very intense flow of this wind can cause a geomagnetic storm, or a disruption in the earth’s magnetic field. This often produces a particularly brilliant aurora. The strength of these storms is measured by the ‘KP index’.
Because of the role of our magnetic poles in this phenomenon, the northern lights are more often seen farther north, nearer to the poles. However, the areas where the auroras are visible – called the auroral ovals – grow larger and smaller depending on the strength of the sun’s activity. When the sun’s activity is stronger, the aurora borealis is more likely to be visible further south.
What causes the colours in the aurora?
When the solar wind interacts with oxygen atoms, it creates the commonly seen green colour of the aurora borealis. Nitrogen atoms, on the other hand, create a range of colours including pink, blue and purple.
What’s the best place to see the northern lights in England?
Finding the best spot to see the northern lights involves considering a combination of location and time. Since the aurora isn’t often visible, you’ll want to maximise both in order to get the best chance of catching the beautiful northern lights.
Let’s talk about location-related factors first, and then we’ll go on to discuss timing.
Latitude
Here’s an easy one – broadly speaking, the aurora borealis is more likely to be visible farther north. There are times when it has shone in the sky as far south as Cornwall, but this is definitely not the norm.
Clear skies
Clear skies and a lack of cloud cover are a necessity for seeing the northern lights. Of course, weather conditions largely belong in the ‘timing’ category. But a location that’s very often cloudy may not be the best.
Light pollution
In order to see the illumination of the northern lights at its fullest, you’ll want to head to a place that has as little light pollution as possible. That way, the brightness of the aurora can stand out against the darkness. Therefore, more remote or rural locations, like national parks, are preferable.
Northerly-facing location
Lastly, you’ll want a location where you can face northward, since the lights will appear over the northern horizon. In other words, you don’t want to be just south of a mountain.
What are the best times to see the aurora borealis?
Now, let’s discuss timing. Obviously, the northern lights are visible during night-time, but there are a number of other factors to consider here.
Time of year
A summer night with a very late sunset and early sunrise gives you fewer hours of dark sky and therefore less chance of seeing the northern lights.
Generally speaking, late September / October through to March is considered a good time to try to see the northern lights. They are actually more active around the equinoxes, which are in mid-to-late September and March.
Crescent or new moon
A bright, shiny moon can cause similar problems to light pollution. Ideally, you’ll want a moon in its lesser phases.
Point in the solar cycle
Everyone knows that the moon has a cycle. Did you know that the sun has one too?
That’s right – the sun has an 11-year cycle in which its solar activity peaks and then decreases again. At solar maximum, you’re more likely to get stronger wind and therefore a more brilliant aurora.
According to NASA, solar maximum last occurred in October 2024. That makes 2025 a good year to try to see the northern lights.
Time of day
Though the aurora borealis can appear at various times through the night, it’s more likely to be visible between 11pm at night and 2am in the morning.
Other tips for ensuring you get the best possible experience
The aurora borealis may only be visible for short periods. If all the conditions are right, you may want to bundle up warm and simply wait outside as you stargaze. This is the best way of ensuring you don’t miss a brief glow of the aurora.
It’s worth keeping a watch on one of the many aurora forecast websites that can tell you when an aurora is likely to appear. One of these is the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Aurora Forecast, which gives you a short-term, 30-minute prediction about the location and strength of auroras.
The BBC’s Sky at Night magazine has a lengthy list of more places on the internet that can help you track when you’re likeliest to see the northern lights.
It’s worth remembering that the aurora borealis may not be as beautiful to the naked eye as it is on camera. So, be prepared to enjoy a subtly colourful display – but consider bringing a good quality camera with you to capture the moment too.
Since you’ll be outside in the cold, prepare some treats to help you enjoy the occasion. Take some hot cocoa or tea in a thermos, as well as some tasty snacks and cosy blankets and clothes.
Don’t forget about safety at night. Make sure you’re in a secure location and that you have torches to help you see your way around.
Lastly, include some nearby fun attractions in your itinerary as well. That way, you won’t be too disappointed if luck isn’t on your side and the northern lights don’t appear while you’re on your holiday.
Prime locations to see the aurora in England
As you can tell, there’s a lot to think about when you’re hoping to catch some gorgeous northern lights displays. Here are some key tips to help you plan your trip to see them.
Dark Sky Reserves
One starting point is to look at Britain’s ‘Dark Sky Reserves’. These are national parks that are officially designated as having low light pollution – making them perfect for catching the northern lights.
Northumberland’s national park is top of the list when it comes to having wonderfully dark skies. Behind it are six national parks that are Dark Sky Reserves, according to National Parks UK:
- Exmoor
- Brecon Beacons
- Moore’s Reserve (South Downs)
- Snowdonia
- North York Moors
- The Yorkshire Dales.
All this being said, some of these national park locations are farther south than is ideal. Let’s dive into some of the best spots that combine dark skies with a higher-latitude location.
Northumberland
Since Northumberland is the northernmost county in England, the combination of its high latitude and exceptionally low light pollution in rural areas makes it the prime contender for the best place to see the northern lights. Head to the national park or a spot that’s not near the illumination of towns and cities, and you’ve got a chance of marvelling at the aurora borealis.
Any discussion of an English aurora has to mention Kielder Forest, just next to the Scottish border, which boasts of exceptionally dark skies. Within the forest lies Kielder Observatory, which holds ‘Aurora Night’ educational events – perfect for those who are fans of the northern lights.
To round out your trip to Northumberland, why not also take an excursion to see Hadrian’s Wall? Bamburgh and Alnwick Castles, the Roman ruins of Vindolanda and the Holy Island of Lindisfarne are some other popular tourist sites in the area – all easy to access from luxury accommodation at The Coast House.
The Lake District
Put together the northerly location of Cumbria and the rural isolation of the Lake District National Park, and you’ve got yourself a good chance of seeing the northern lights if they come south. Derwentwater is considered a prime location for this.
Plus, the Lake District has plenty of charms to entertain you during the daytime as well. Choose a spot near the popular Lake Windermere, and you’ll have plenty to do, ranging from hiking to paddleboarding to visiting museums.
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, The Fitz near Cockermouth is perfectly located for light-spotting in a quiet, northern corner of the Lake District.
The Yorkshire Dales
The Yorkshire Dales National Park in North Yorkshire also offers a strong combination of low light pollution and high latitude. While you’re in North Yorkshire, take in some of the breathtaking scenery and lovely attractions like Bolton Castle, Fountains Abbey and the famous cave system. A luxury base in the Dales, like Robin House, will give you all of this on your doorstep.
The Peak District
The Peak District National Park, mostly in Derbyshire, may not be as high in latitude as Cumbria or Northumberland, but the National Trust also considers it worthy of a spot on its list of places to see the northern lights.
If solar activity is high, you could have a chance of seeing the aurora borealis here or farther south. Just keep an eye on those aurora alert pages online.
Staying for a few days will always increase your chances of a sighting, so why not get comfortable at a luxury local property like The Vicars Retreat?
Marvel at the night sky at a beautiful retreat from kate & tom’s
What could be more unique and special than a night when you catch the sky lighting up with stunning northern lights displays?
When you’re experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime moment like this, you’ll want the rest of your holiday to be just as special. You’ll need a holiday house or cottage that helps make all of your stay truly memorable and wonderful.
What’s on the must-have list for your holiday home? Well, you’ll want a luxurious and cosy place to return to after a chilly night of aurora-watching. That means indulgences like roaring fireplaces, hot tubs, heated swimming pools and perhaps even a firepit outdoors.
You’ll also want plenty of green space around you to keep that light pollution away. A remote holiday cottage far from cities and towns or a holiday cottage in unspoilt forest is a necessity.
Additionally, choose a place with a spacious and comfortable kitchen or dining room so that you can relax and enjoy a hearty, hot breakfast after a long night outside watching the stars.
Lastly, it’s nice to get a holiday cottage that includes some of its own entertainment as well – like a cinema room or games room. This helps ensure that even if the northern lights don’t appear, everyone still has plenty of fun, leaving you with happy memories of your stay.
Find the perfect place to spot the northern lights
If all this sounds great to you, why not start planning your aurora-watching holiday with us at kate & tom’s? Our luxury rural holiday cottages are a perfect fit for your trip to see the northern lights, offering all the amenities we’ve discussed and more. And we specialise in larger holiday homes, so you can bring all the family or a large group of friends with you and unwind in perfect comfort.
Curious to learn more, or ready to start booking? Get in touch with us at [email protected]. We’d be delighted to help you plan your trip to enjoy the beauty of the night sky, whether it’s glowing with the aurora borealis or not.
