Bodmin Moor Dark Sky Landscape

Bodmin Moor describes itself as a “working agricultural landscape” where traditional land uses persist. As part of an AONB, it enjoys protections against many of the forms of large-scale development that would tend to bring new lighting to the area. Although most of the its land is privately owned, since 2000 much of Bodmin Moor has been designated open access. The landlocked Moor abounds with daytime recreation activities, including hiking, bicycling, fishing, and rock climbing. In the last decade, the local offerings have extended to the nighttime hours, as the Moor increasingly draws tourists from across the UK and Europe who come to see its dark night skies.

The Cornwall Council, its governing authority, has demonstrated its commitment to protecting the night skies over Bodmin Moor, and locals have undertaken a program of education and outreach to show area residents the economic and cultural value of dark skies in this part of England.