Hotel Victoria provides coastal escape during Dark Skies Festival

Hotel Victoria in Robin Hood’s Bay is gearing up to welcome visitors and guests during the North York Moors National Park Dark Skies Festival (13^th February – 1 March) following the announcement that it has been accepted as a dark skies-friendly accommodation business.

The hotel has unveiled its star-studded package during the Dark Skies Festival, including a ‘Stay and Gaze’ two-night stay with a three-course dinner and traditional afternoon tea. Blankets and torches will be provided for stargazing on the terrace for hotel guests.

Stargazing – Picture credit Polly Baldwin

Visitors will also be able to enjoy a selection of warming drinks to keep the cold at bay while stargazing, including a Hot Port winter cocktail, traditional mulled wine and luxury hot chocolate. Ryan Osborne, Head Chef at Hotel Victoria, has created a limited-edition indulgent dessert to mark the occasion - ‘from a galaxy far away’ featuring an Italian meringue ‘night sky dome’, compote of wild berries and fruit puree, spiced 'moon landing' crumb, and chocolate covered morello cherries.

Guests will be able to immerse themselves in one of the world’s most spectacular celestial experiences, where the sea meets the stars, in this luxury landmark Victorian 30-bedroom hotel that offers open fires and a range of elegantly decorated, sumptuous bedrooms, some with spectacular views of the coastline.

Occupying an iconic location at the top of Robin Hood’s Bay, on the Heritage Coast of the North York Moors, the hotel boasts a Sea-View Garden and Terrace as well as the Osborne’s Restaurant which benefit from dramatic panoramic coastal views, providing an atmospheric background for Dark Skies festival-goers. 

Hotel Victoria – Picture credit Scott Murray

Andrew Long, Owner of the Hotel Victoria said: “Perched above Robin Hood’s Bay, the hotel offers a special opportunity to enjoy some of the UK’s darkest skies alongside panoramic coastal views, together with excellent food and beverages. With a high standard of exceptional and thoughtful hospitality, Hotel Victoria will make the Dark Skies Festival a truly special place to stay. Our curated packages are designed to help our guests to relax and fully immerse themselves in this extraordinary natural spectacle.” 

For further details about stargazing at Hotel Victoria, please visit NYMNP Dark Skies Festival | North Yorkshire Events | Hotel Victoria Whitby

Vicky Burton, Marketing Officer at the North York Moors National Park comments: "It is great to see Hotel Victoria joining our Dark Skies Friendly Scheme and championing the work that goes into protecting the night sky. The hotel will provide guests with a prime coastal location where they can appreciate and make the most of the National Park's International Dark Sky Reserve status during their stay."

The North York Moors National Park was designated as an International Dark Sky Reserve in December 2020, making it one of only 25 locations worldwide recognised for exceptional night sky quality. This prestigious designation means you can witness celestial phenomena spying up to 2,000 stars at any one time in the darkest areas of the National Park.

The Dark Skies Festival features expert-led astronomy sessions that unlock the mysteries of distant galaxies, guiding guests through constellations with powerful telescopes; family-friendly activities that inspire the next generation of space explorers; hands-on workshops; and moonlit walks across the moors.

Robin Hood’s Bay Milky Way – Picture credit Tony Marsh

Festival highlights include:

• Robin Hood's Bay – a smuggler's paradise night walk with tales of thieves, rogues and smugglers.

• Robin Hood’s Bay - a guided ghost walk led by lantern and starlight with captivating stories of history, folklore and the supernatural.

• Robin Hood’s Bay moon-bathing coastal walk that will explore the universe, planets, stars and the geology of the coastline.

• Whitby Night Photography Workshop with local landscape photographer, Richard Burdon, who will demonstrate how to shoot images of the lights reflected in the calm waters of Whitby harbour.

• Dark Skies Station Launch Event – unveiling the new Dark Skies Station at Danby Lodge National Park Centre.

• Stargazing at Danby Lodge Dark Skies Station - a guided tour of the night sky, learning about asterisms, constellations, how to navigate the night sky and how to identify objects.

• Goathland - night walking in Heartbeat Country visiting the Mallyan Spout waterfall with expert walk leader.

With events suitable for all ages, this festival offers the perfect opportunity to disconnect from everyday distractions and reconnect with the night sky.

For the full programme of events and details about how to book, please visit Dark Skies Festival: North York Moors events