Dark Skies Festival Night Walk – Lastingham

Join us for a special Dark Skies Festival night walk along footpaths and trails around the village of Lastingham in the North York Moors National Park, a designated International Dark Sky Reserve.

Experience Type: Day Experience
Distance: Approx. 5.3 miles (8.5km)
Duration: 3 hours
Group Size: Maximum 30 participants
Level: Leisurely
Age: 10 + (under 18s must be accompanied by parent/guardian throughout)
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs

In a Nutshell: 

  • Wander in awe as you walk under a truly dark sky in the North York Moors National Park - an International Dark Sky Reserve. 

  • Switch off from everyday life as we absorb the feeling of remoteness from the towns and villages beyond.

  • Enjoy walking with an experienced Large Outdoors guide and a group of fellow star chasers.

Please note: this walk will go ahead regardless of the weather forecast, as long as the weather conditions are safe. If it’s cloudy or raining we will still walk (and cross our fingers for some clear skies during the evening!).

 

How do we grade our walks?

Experience a proper night sky in this special Dark Skies Festival night walk…

Tonight we’ll venture out onto the open moorland, paths, and trails around the North York Moors National Park village of Lastingham for a very special walk. Leaving behind the street lights and cars, we’ll enter an inky black world with our only our head torches and the moon to light the way.

The route is approximately 5.3 miles (8.5km) and this guided group walk will be hosted by a Large Outdoors leader. Lastingham is home to a lovely pub called The Blacksmiths Arms - we’ll meet outside here - and they offer dinner, drinks and overnight stays (please contact them directly for availability).

Suggested Itinerary

Your Large Outdoors guide will welcome you and the other participants in Lastingham for this guided night walk. There’ll be time for a safety briefing and to check everyone’s head torch is working properly (please see the Compulsory Kit List section below) before we begin.

With so much of the distant landscape obscured by darkness, you might tune-in to your other senses, listening our for the scurry of nocturnal critters and the call of territorial owls, the smell of the damp peatland, the brush of heather against your legs.

There’ll be plenty of opportunities to stop and admire the magnificent night sky on the route. Your guide will help you spot constellations and celestial bodies, making the most of a truly dark sky. As the North York Moors National Park is a designated International Dark Sky Reserve, this is one of the world’s best places for stargazing (subject to the weather behaving nicely of course!).

Good to Know

  • Meeting Time: Please meet your guide at 6:45pm, for a prompt 7pm start.

    Meeting Location:
    Outside of The Blacksmiths Arms
    Anserdale Lane
    Lastingham
    YO62 6TN

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    Parking: There is on-street parking available in the village, but please be careful not to block residents’ driveways.

    Public Transport: Unfortunately, the meeting location and timings for this Large Outdoors experience mean it is not accessible via public transport.

    Finish Time: We aim to finish around 10pm.

  • Included:

    • A Large Outdoors guide to lead you on your Dark Skies Festival Night Walk around Lastingham.

    • The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.

    • Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.

    Not included:

    • Travel to and from the meeting location.

    • Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.

  • Please see our General (Walking) Kit List.

    The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should be carrying the items listed.

    DON’T FORGET: To bring your head torch - you will not be allowed to start the walk if you don’t have a working head torch with you. We insist on a head torch for your safety - a handheld torch or the torch on your phone is NOT suitable.

  • • What level of fitness is needed?
    This experience is rated as Leisurely. Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.

    • Will the walk be cancelled if it’s cloudy or raining?
    No, this walk will go ahead regardless of the weather forecast, as long as the weather conditions are safe. If it’s cloudy or raining we will still walk (and cross our fingers for some clear skies during the evening!).

    • Can I attend on my own?
    Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.

    • What transport is provided during this trip?
    We do not provide any transport for this experience.

    • Can I bring my dog?
    Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.

 

 Book your Dark Skies Festival Night Walk - Lastingham

 

This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.