• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Little-known UK island officially recognised as one of the best night skies in the world

Home> News

Updated 10:34 24 Feb 2023 GMTPublished 09:18 24 Feb 2023 GMT

Little-known UK island officially recognised as one of the best night skies in the world

The island's unique location is what makes its skies so spectacular

Emma Guinness

Emma Guinness

There are some pretty spectacular night skies to be seen all over the world, but did you know that one of the best is in the UK?

The tiny little island has got the certification to prove it, too.

This is because it was recently awarded International Dark Sky Sanctuary certification - and is now one of just 16 sites in the world with the award.

Advert

The island officially has one of the most spectacular night skies in the world.
Alamy / Mick Sharp

As the name of the certification suggests, the island received the award because the sky is so dark and that is what makes it so truly spectacular.

The island is owned by a trust who described the new status as a 'huge achievement' as they had to meet some seriously strict criteria when it came to the quality of their night sky.

Sian Stacey, chair of the island's trust, said that it took a number of years to make the achievement and they are hoping it helps establish the region as a 'dark sky nation'.

"There's no doubt that achieving this prestigious status for Ynys Enlli will raise the profile of the island as a unique place in Wales and amongst the best in the world to appreciate the night sky.

Advert

"We hope it will also go a long way in securing the long-term sustainability of the island."

Where is it, we hear you ask? Well, the island is called Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island) and it's located in Wales.

And why is the sky so dark? Well, it's all down to the unique location of the island, which can be found two miles off the tip of the Llŷn Peninsula.

There is a mountain on the land which effectively cuts off the amount of light that the island is able to receive.

The closest thing it has to light pollution comes from the Irish capital, Dublin, which is over 70 miles across the sea.

Advert

The island's unique location is what makes its skies so dark.
Alamy / Pearl Bucknall

Mari Huws, a warden on the island, was a part of the certification process.

She said: "Living here I am always in awe of the island's beauty - and the night sky is very much a part of that.

"Having secured the certification, we look forward to welcoming visitors here over the coming months and years and sharing with them our unique story.

"In a world that's increasingly being polluted, it's a privilege to be able to work towards protecting something that is pristine for future generations."

Advert

The closest thing the island has to light pollution is 70 miles across the sea.
Alamy / Warren Kovach

The certification, which was achieved through a lighting management plan and photographic evidence, will require regular review by the International Dark Skies Association in order to be maintained.

Featured Image Credit: Mick Sharp / B Christopher / Alamy Stock Photo

Topics: UK News

Emma Guinness
Emma Guinness

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

8 hours ago
9 hours ago
  • 8 hours ago

    British tourist left fighting for her life after catching deadly lung disease on all-inclusive holiday

    Donna Jobling was placed in a medically induced coma 11 days ago after her holiday to Crete took a tragic turn

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    Satellite images show impact site of US bombs on Iranian nuclear facilities

    New satellite snaps have revealed the extent of damage done by the US on Iran's military base

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    Man posed as a flight attendant for over 100 free flights in case compared to Catch Me If You Can

    Tiron Alexander was found guilty of wire fraud and unlawfully entering a secure airport area under false pretences earlier this month

    News
  • 9 hours ago

    Government issues serious sexual health warning for Mounjaro users as weight loss drug set to be available on NHS

    The advice from officials is for a specific group of people

    News
  • Everything known about UK-bound flight that crashed as Air India releases statement
  • Doctor who was diagnosed with leukaemia reveals one little-known symptom she dismissed
  • Experts share seven little-known symptoms of deadly disease that only emerge at night
  • Little known UK location included in haunting list of the most radioactive places on Earth