The best place in Surrey for stargazing, ideal for a romantic summer evening

If you’re a Surrey resident who enjoys stargazing, you don’t have to travel far. Despite the county being home to several light-polluted towns and cities, there’s a perfect spot for a romantic night under the stars just a short drive away.

Light pollution, caused by artificial lights that flood the sky and reduce the visibility of the stars, is a common problem for urban dwellers.

A Reddit user asked about the best places to stargaze in and around London. While the city has numerous groups that organize stargazing meetups and events, one location stood out as a top choice.

Newlands Corner, a nature reserve in Guildford, is a favorite among stargazers. It’s just 11 minutes’ drive from Guildford town centre.

The reason for its popularity? Low levels of light pollution. The Guildford Astronomical Society even hosts public stargazing events at Newlands Corner once or twice a year, attracting around 150 stargazers each time.

The nature reserve also offers beautiful views of the Surrey Hills, with the highest point on the site at 173 meters above sea level. Newlands Corner is also famous for being the location where crime writer Agatha Christie staged her disappearance.

Newlands Corner is a 103 hectare (250 acre) nature reserve owned by the Albury Estate. It used to be managed by the Surrey Wildlife Trust

Constellations such as Orion and Gemini can be seen from Newlands Corner in winter. It might come as a surprise, but there are also some popular places to stargaze in the capital.

According to Go Stargazing, the Norman Fisher Observatory at Kenley is also a popular spot. Croydon Astronomical Society organizes events at this location. Headley Heath (National Trust) is also a winner. See more here.