Seeking sanctuary under the stars: CPRE’s Dr Richard Miles looks at the push for a dark sky reserve to safeguard our natural nightscapes
One of the attractive features of Dorset is the way it has avoided many of the pressures of modern development that affect so many English counties. And, along with just Norfolk and Cornwall, Dorset does not have a motorway running through any part of the county.
Driving back to Dorset from London at night, I sometimes follow the A303. The route winds westwards through Wiltshire, passing the brightly illuminated services above West Knoyle before crossing Charnage Down where it reaches a height of more than 700 feet before bending leftwards and dropping down towards Mere. Here, the Blackmore Vale comes into view for the very first time as an expanse of darkness, telling me I am nearly home.
Darkness is our heritage – and it is in danger of being lost.
Being frightened by the dark as a child may be a relic of our ancient past, when there was no artificial light. We survived because of our innate instinct to seek sanctuary at night, not knowing what creature may have lain in wait for us, hidden from view.
Here in the UK we no longer need fear the night. Indeed, the opposite is true: darkness can be an escape from the interminable lights in our towns and cities, an opportunity to seek rest, recreation and sleep.
Dark skies have become something under which we and fellow creatures can seek sanctuary – an escape from the spotlight of the modern world, a chance to return to nature and to see the world as our ancestors saw it, wild and wonderful.
Benefits of dark skies
Having light in the right place, at the right time and in the right amount, saves money and energy, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. It also supports biodiversity, allowing for thriving habitats for mammals like bats, owls, and hedgehogs, along with insects such as moths and glow-worms.
Loss of biodiversity is a serious problem the world over. Depriving people of the emotional connection with a night sky full of stars is one concern, but light pollution also has direct effects on human health.
Darkness is essential for the natural release of melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep, regulates our sleep cycles and acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Visitor attractions and star parties
Our Blackmore Vale inheritance has historically been a dark one – and it’s one we are well-advised to preserve. Dark skies attract visitors, as demonstrated by the many dark sky parks in Scotland and elsewhere. Nearer home there is the example of Stourton Caundle, where visitors can go Starlight Glamping, free from light pollution and staying in luxury bell tents with immediate access at night to starry skies.
The website Go Stargazing helps people find the best places to stargaze in the UK – some of our local viewpoints, including Fontmell Down near Compton Abbas and the Cerne Giant viewing area on the edge of Cerne Abbas, are featured.
Stargazing events, including popular Star Parties, bring together enthusiasts who arrive, equipped with telescopes and binoculars, in their camper-vans, set up tents or stay in local accommodations. The inaugural Cerne Abbas Star Party took place this September at the local brewery and, despite challenging weather, was deemed a success – it will return next year. The event featured speakers like Steve Tonkin, Dark Sky Adviser for Cranborne Chase National Landscape, an officially recognised International Dark Sky Reserve since 2019. Steve assisted in the bid to win this status by serving as a volunteer, taking sky quality readings and supporting stargazing evenings through giving talks and showing people the night sky.
A Dorset Dark Sky Reserve
Naturally, the idea that Dorset might also benefit by having an area set aside as a dark sky reserve was discussed. Would ‘reserve status’ help to conserve our county’s dark skies?
The Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, renamed Dorset National Landscape in 2023, comprises some 436 square miles. Some of the skies in this protected area suffer from excessive illumination, as shown by the accompanying light pollution map, but there still remain areas that are properly dark, shown edged in red. Part of this area extends north into the Blackmore Vale.
Unlike other forms of lasting pollution in the natural environment, the effect of lighting can be removed at the flick of a switch.
Tom Munro, manager of Dorset National Landscape, recently stressed that ‘Dark night skies are one of the Dorset National Landscape’s special qualities, one of the important elements that add up to this area’s nationally-important stock of natural beauty which is protected for future generations. We fully support the CPRE’s campaign to preserve the few dark skies we have left, particularly in southern England, and work guided by our partnership to that end.’
In the meantime, in the words of Hodges: ‘Put that light out!’
