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There are a surprising number of observatories across the United Kingdom, perhaps reflecting the great tradition our nation has of astronomical adventure and scientific endeavour. Most famous of all is The Royal Observatory in Greenwich which has been home to many famous astronomers such as Sir Edmund Halley and Sir John Flamsteed.

Along with the recent growth in popularity of Astronomy there is an ongoing effort by the Campaign to Protect Rural England to protect our country’s dark skies. The result is that more observatories are being built with recent additions ranging from smaller community based locations such as the North Pennines Observatory all the way up to large projects such as the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory in Galloway Dark Sky Park.

All of the observatories listed below are accessible to the public however visiting them requires prior arrangement either by contacting the observatory directly, attending one of their public events or in a few circumstances by general admission.
Observatory map

Airdrie Observatory
Airdrie Library, Airdrie, ML6 0AG

Alston Observatory
Alston Lane, Preston, PR3 3BP

Anglian Observatory
Garwood Lodge, Ely, CB6 3QG

Athenaeum Observatory
Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1LU

Battlesteads Observatory
The Battlesteads Hotel, Wark, NE48 3LS

Bayfordbury Observatory
Lower Hatfield Road, Bayfordbury, SG13 8LD

Beacon Hill Observatory
Montgomery Road, Cleethorpes, DN35

Breckland Astronomical Observatory
Great Ellingham, Near Attleborough, NR17

Brian Joynes Observatory
Austerfield Field Study Centre, Doncaster, DN10 6RG

Brough Observatory
Prescott Avenue, Brough, HU15 1BB

Bruce Observatory - Whitby School
Prospect Hill, Whitby, YO21 1LA

Caradon Observatory
Upton Cross, Liskeard, PL14 5BQ

Clanfield Observatory
Hinton Heights, Clanfield, PO8

Coats Observatory
Paisley Museum, Paisley, PA1 2BA

Cygnus Observatory
Washington Wetland Centre, Washington, NE38 8LE

Dalby Forest Visitor Centre
Dalby Forest, Thornton-le-Dale, YO18 7LT

Durlston Astronomy Centre
Durlston Country Park, Swanage, BH19 2JL

Edinburgh Royal Observatory
Blackford Hill, Edinburgh, EH9 3HJ

Failand Observatory
Failand, Near Wraxall, BS8 3US

Flamsteed Observatory
North Lane, Brailsford, DE6 3BE

Godlee Observatory
Sackville Street, Manchester, M1 7AY

Guernsey Observatory
Rue du Lorier, St Pierre du Bois, GY7 9JU

Hanwell Community Observatory
Hanwell, Banbury, OX17 1HN

Hauxley Nature Reserve and Observatory
Low Hauxley, Newcastle, NE65 0JR

High Legh Community Observatory
Abbey Leys Farm, High Legh, WA16 6NS

Huddersfield Observatory
Blackmoorfoot Road, Heights, HD4 7AF

Institute of Astronomy
University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HA

Isle Of Man Observatory
Higher Foxdale, Foxdale, IM4 3HB

J.A. Jones Hoober Observatory
Lee Brook Lane, Wentworth, S62 7SH

James Irwin Observatory
Canterbury Adult Education Centre, Canterbury, CT2 8QA

Jim Savage-Lowden Observatory
Culloden Battlefield, Culloden Moor, IV2 5EU

Jodrell Bank Observatory
University of Manchester, Macclesfield, SK11 9DL

Keele Observatory
Keele University, Stoke-on-Trent, ST5 5BG

Kenley Observatory
Near Kenley Aerodrome, Kenley, CR8 5EP

Kielder Observatory
Black Fell, Near Kielder Village, NE48

Leighton Observatory
Pex Hill Visitors Centre, Widnes, WA8 5QW

Letchworth Observatory
Standalone Farm, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 4JN

Lime Tree Observatory
Lime Tree Farm, Grewelthorpe, HG4 3DA

Lincoln Observatory
Westcliffe Street, Lincoln, LN1 3TZ

Luton Dall Observatory
Putteridge Bury, Luton, LU2 8LE

Mills Observatory
Glamis Road, Balgay Park, Dundee, DD2 2UB

Newchurch Observatory
Watery Lane, Newchurch, PO36 0LX

Nonsuch High School Observatory
Ewell Road, Cheam, SM3 8AB

Norman Lockyer Observatory
Salcombe Hill Road, Sidmouth, EX10 0NY

North Pennines Observatory
The Old School House, Allenheads, NE47 9HR

Orwell Park Observatory
Orwell Park School, Nacton, IP10 0ER

Piazzi Smyth Observatory
Bedford School, Bedford, MK40 2TU

Reepham Observatory
Reepham High School & College, Reepham, NR10 4JT

Roseland Observatory
Court Farm, Coombe, PL26 7LE

Rosse Observatory
Carleton Road, Pontefract, WF8 3RJ

Royal Observatory Greenwich
Blackheath Avenue, London, SE10 8XJ

Salford Observatory
Chaseley Road, Chasely Fields, M6 7DZ

Scottish Dark Sky Observatory
Craigengillan Lodge, Dalmellington, KA6 7PZ

Seething Observatory
Toad Lane, Thwaite, NR35 2EQ

Sherwood Observatory
Near Coxmoor Golf Club, Mansfield, NG17 5LF

Sir Patrick Moore Astronomy Centre
Les Creux Country Park, St. Brelade, JE3 8LN

St Andrews Observatory
University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16

The Astronomy Centre
Bacup Road A681, Near Todmorden, OL14 7HP

The Chiltern Observatory
Woodrow High House, Amersham, HP7 0QG

The Observatory Science Centre
Herstmonceux, Hailsham, BN27 1RN

Toothill Observatory
Toothill, Southampton, SO16 8AL

Trent Astronomical Observatory
Clifton Campus, Erasmus Darwin Buildings, Nottingham, NG11 8NF

Wilton Park Observatory
Wilton Park, Batley, WF17 0AS

Wynyard Planetarium & Observatory
Thorpe Thewles, Stockton-on-Tees, TS21 3JG