Bourton-on-the-Water has been named as one of the best stargazing hidden gem spots in the UK.

So if you’re looking for something to do when you’re out and about, this Cotswolds location could be worth visiting if you’re up for some stargazing.

The research was conducted by PsychicWorld.com and a seed list of 25 of the most commonly recommended, romantic locations for stargazing was created from the following websites: mirror.co.uk, uk.hotels.com, booking.com, visitengland.com, roughguides.com, countryliving.com and emilyluxton.co.uk.

The study only included locations that were mentioned in more than one article and took the most specific location mentioned.

Celestial Events 2022

Using lightpollutionmap.info, readings for the Bortle scale (class 1 - 9), Sky Quality Meter (SQM) (mag./arc sec2) and artificial brightness (µcd/m2) were collected for each location.

A rank score out of 100 was created for each location and summarizes the three readings into a final score, by using the average percentrank formula on the three variables, uncovering the best location in the UK to stargaze.

The data is correct as of February 8, 2022 and is subject to change.

Bourton-on-the-Water came out in joint eighth place with a stargazing quality score of 89.05, the same score as Stratford-upon-Avon, Giant’s Causeway, Fort William, East Sussex, Durdle Door and Bowness-on-Windermere.

Taking the top spot was Tresco of the Isles of Scilly with an overall score of 99.38.

Second place was taken by Glen Brittle on the Isle of Skye and it scored a total of 99.33.

UK’s best stargazing hidden gem spots

Here’s some of the locations with their ranks and scores.

1 - Tresco, Scilly Isles, 99.38

2 - Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye, 99.33

3= Loch Lomond, 95.26

3= Lindisfarne Castle, Northumberland Coast, 95.26

5 – Llanddwyn Island – 93.17

6 – Tintagel Castle, Tintagel, 93.13

7 – Portmeirion, 91.09

8 = Stratford-upon-Avon, 89.05

8 = Giant’s Causeway, 89.05

8 = Fort William, 89.05

8 = East Sussex, 89.05

8 = Durdle Door, 89.05

8 = Bowness-on-Windermere, 89.05

8 = Bourton-on-the-Water, Cotswolds