Where to see partial solar eclipse this month
The eclipse will be visible across the UK beginning at 10.07am on Saturday, March 29, with maximum coverage at 11.03am before ending at 12pm.
At its maximum, around 30 to 40 per cent of the sun will be obscured by the moon although you should remember to never look directly at the sun during an eclipse. Doing so can cause serious eye damage or even blindness. It is advised to use adequate eye protection.
So where are the best Herefordshire locations to view the eclipse? The best conditions needed are a clear view, minimal light pollution, safety, and good planning – so hopefully the weather is good with no thick clouds!
Here are a few spots you could head to:
Lugg Meadows and Bartestree
Just outside Hereford, the village hall in Bartestree is a good observation site for stargazing, especially eclipses. The Herefordshire Astronomical Society has the location as one of their observing sites. Lugg Meadow is also a great place to view the eclipse because it is a large and open space. Other locations the society lists are Fownhope Recreation Field and the National Trust property Berrington Hall near Leominster.
ALSO READ:
Symonds Yat Rock and Little Doward Woods
The Wye Valley as a national landscape is beautiful with its scenic views, so why not a great place for eclipse viewing? Sweeping views from Symonds Yat Rock make it ideal and just along the Wye crossing Biblins Bridge is Little Doward Woods. The Iron Age fort is an open space but do be prepared for a walk.
Hay Bluff and Black Mountain
Right on the border with Powys, at 703.6 metres high, again this does require good fitness to climb to the trig point. Alternatively, just inside the Welsh border, the lane below Hay Bluff (or on top of the summit) is also ideal as a wild open Brecon Beacons space.
Arthur’s Stone
Arthur’s Stone is a great lookout spot to the Black Mountains in the Golden Valley. For over 5,000 years the stone has seen many solar eclipses. Parking in the layby adjacent to the stone is the best place to get to the ancient monument.
Garway Hill
A 360-degree view into Wales, Garway Hill has plenty of paths, lanes, and bridleways to get to the top. It is a wild open hill with grazing ponies, the best countryside to view an eclipse.
Hergest Ridge
One of the best sections of the Offa’s Dyke Path, Hergest Ridge above Kington is an ancient earthwork and suggested maps have even suggested an old ‘race course’. The Monkey Puzzle Trees on the top are an outlier for a spot which is iconic for a walk. It’s another wild and open spot to view the eclipse.
Croft Ambrey
Farm and forestry tracks leading away from the National Trust property Croft Castle, will give you the chance to summit Croft Ambrey Fort. Excavations found the fort to be in use from the 6th century BC up to AD 48. The location, set upon the Mortimer Trail, is a great walk to the top at around 300 metres above sea level. Around a mile to the top, open views across the Marches and into the Shropshire Hills makes this a good place for the list.