The society arranges two annual weekend field trips to a dark sky site at Lligwy on the island of Anglesey in North Wales. These usually take place between late October and early November and again between late March and early April each year.
For future dates please check out our upcoming meetings & events.
Our venue is the Anglesey Guide Centre and the postcode for this is: LL70 9PZ. Please click here for Google map directions (opens in a new window). The Guide Centre has a large dormitory and side room sleeping 28 and a house which sleeps 14 people over 3 rooms. There are separate male/female washroom facilities.
There is spacious parking and lawns. It's an ideal base for astronomers to observe at a dark sky site and explore Anglesey. It's also within walking distance of Lligwy beach.
The cost for those staying at the Guide Centre is currently £45.00 per person for the weekend. A £20.00 (non refundable) deposit is required. This includes breakfasts (cooked on the Saturday) and snacks.
For those who like a little more luxury – bed & breakfast accommodation is available nearby at Bryn Awelon in Moelfre. Phone: 01248 410752; email: mary@brynawelonbb.co.uk Please note there will still be a £15.00 charge towards use of the facilities at the Guide Centre. Those staying at the guest house must make their own arrangements.
We normally arrive on a Friday from the late afternoon onwards as the Guide Centre is usually open from about 16:00 hrs. During the Friday evening we normally have a fish & chip supper at The Coastal Café, Moelfre. (last orders 18:45 hrs) or you are welcome to use the kitchen to cook.
Saturday evening we usually have a takeaway (not included in the price). Beer, wine, soft-drinks etc is bring your own – the same with speciality foods (non-dairy milk, gluten free etc). Home made cakes to share are always welcome.
Lligwy is a self-catering/self-organised trip, staying in a Girl Guide building. Sleeping and bathroom facilities are divided into male and female communal areas – couples can share a room if available. Beds are bunk beds, with a small selection of single beds.
Please bring your own sleeping bags/bedding, pillow, dressing gown, slippers, washbag and towels if staying at the Guide Centre. These are shared communal facilities and everyone is expected to help with the cooking, cleaning and tidying over the weekend. (The Guide Centre is run by volunteers and we are expected to leave the centre in a clean and tidy manner for the next visitors).
Please note that field trips to Lligwy (and the accommodation at the Guide Centre) is only suitable for children/adults over the age of 15. (minors aged between 15–17 may only attend observing sessions under the strict adult supervision of a parent or guardian).
The following image shows the layout of the available accommodation in the main building.
For further information on the accommodation please see the Anglesey Guide Centre website and the Wales Tourist Online website.
Observing: It will be cold at night! Please bring layers of warm clothing. If we are lucky enough to get clear skies then please only use a red torch at night, to help retain night vision. Bring binoculars or scopes if you have them. Alternatively, a camping chair or rug to sit on and just look up!
Events: Really dark skies – we will have a 11" Celestron available as well as other smaller scopes and binoculars. Weather permitting – planets, galaxies and nebulae will be visible in the winter and spring constellations. In the event of cloudy skies or poor weather there is a selection of board games available together with convivial company. Consider bringing some of your own favourite games, cards books, music and headphones.
During the day: Beautiful beaches, Stone circles and some really lovely walks. Everyone is welcome to join group activities or alternatively explore Anglesey on your own.
We depart the centre by Sunday at 13:00 hrs after we all help to tidy-up following our stay.
If you have any further questions, please contact either one of the following committee members –
astro@altair-systems.com
Tom Scragg
icaurus@btinternet.com
We hope you will consider joining us – a truly dark sky, clear and free from light pollution and 'full of stars' is an awe-inspiring sight so rarely seen here in the UK.
Observing trip: Lligwy, Anglesey Guide Centre – October 2019
This page last updated: Thursday, 29 September 2022.
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