Eyes up for the best spots to catch spectacular starscapes
Battle lines are being laid down in a new draw for tourists – the best place to look skywards.
Stargazing has become more popular, thanks in no part to mobile phone apps that open up the skies to those without a degree in astronomy. That means regions are now having to think of how to market themselves as the best place to escape the street lights and head for the darkness.
The West Midlands might be among the most populated regions of the country but it is also surrounded by areas that are good for stargazing. Parts of Shropshire enjoy official recognition as a dark skies park. Cannock Chase sits on the doorstep of urban areas as does the Staffordshire Moorlands.
All, however, find themselves on the back foot after being left out of a survey of dark places by holiday rentals marketplace HomeToGo. It instead named Snowdonia as the best place to seek a dark spot to look at the skies, with the Brecon Beacons also mentioned in the top 10.
