Lyrid meteor shower: Where the West Midlands’ Dark Sky areas are as oldest recorded meteor shower to peak

There is a chance you could see the Lyrid meteor shower - the oldest recorded meteor shower still visible today - in the UK this week.

The Lyrid meteor shower - first recorded in 687 BCE - will peak on Wednesday 22 April, with some predicted clear skies which could make for good viewing conditions.

How you can see the Lyrid meteor shower in the UK

Royal Museums Greenwich says the best way to see meteor showers, including the Lyrids, is to go to a dark site with an unobstructed view of the sky.

The West Midlands has a number of designated Dark Sky areas ideal for stargazing including Barr Beacon in Walsall and Carding Mill Valley, Cross Dyke Car Park, Shooting Box Car Park and Pole Cottage in Shropshire.

The Met Office is forecasting clear skies for Walsall before and at 10pm, after which it’s predicted to turn partly cloudy - with temperatures of around 6°C and 7°C. Clear skies are forecast for the Long Mynd before and at 11pm, again after which it’s predicted to turn partly cloudy - with temperatures of around 5°C and 6°C.

The best time to see the Lyrid meteor shower

The best time to look for meteors during the peak (22 April) is after the Moon has set - from 2am onwards. By this point, the Earth will have spun towards the cloud of debris, making it easier to spot the Lyrid meteors.

The best direction to look in to see the Lyrid meteor shower

If you are planning to look for the Lyrids before 2am, the BBC writes that it might be best to look to the east or south-east away from the Moon for a darker sky.

Other meteor shower dates in 2026

Eta Aquariids - 19 April to 28 May, date of maximum 6 May

Alpha Capricornids - 3 July to 15 August, date of maximum 30 July

Southern Delta Aquariids - 12 July to 23 August, date of maximum 30 July

Perseids - 17 July to 24 August, date of maximum 13 August

Draconids - 6 October to 10 October, date of maximum 9 October

Orionids - 2 October to November 7, date of maximum 21 October

Taurids - 10 September to 20 November (Southern) and 20 October to 10 December (Northern), date of maximum 10 October (Southern) and 12 November (Northern)

Leonids - 6 November to 30 November, date of maximum 18 November

Geminids - 4 December to 20 December, date of maximum 14 December

Ursids - 17 December to 26 December, date of maximum 22 December