Keswick Big Switch Off 2024 

Tuesday 23rd April 2024

8pm Onwards

• New date for Keswick Lighting Switch Off
• Tuesday 23 April, from 8pm

An event in Keswick, to reveal more stars and to raise awareness about not wasting light and energy has been rescheduled for Tuesday 23 April (2024).

Co-ordinating the event is the Friends of the Lake District, as part of their Dark Skies project. The voluntary community ‘Lighting Switch Off’ will now take place from 8pm in the Lake Road area around Crow and Hope Parks.

Cumberland Councils’ lighting team is managing the switch off of around 60 road and footway lights along The Heads, The Headlands and Elliot Park. Also joining in is Booths, Mountain Rescue and Theatre by The Lake, who will be turning their outside lighting OFF. And the National Trust will be hosting activities in Crow Park.

Vanessa Metcalfe, Tourism Manager, Keswick Tourism Association Ltd, said: “We often see fantastic night-time photographs of the Milky Way above Derwentwater or Castlerigg Stone Circle. So we hope there will be a great display on Tuesday night. There will be lots of ways for people to enjoy the night sky from Crow Park, including those who are new to star gazing.”

Landscape charity the Friends of the Lake District say light pollution is on the increase. And that whilst 62% of Cumbria’s night skies are in the darkest category, and largely free from light pollution, the areas impacted by light pollution are increasing. They say artificial light at night is harmful to wildlife and it can damage people’s sleep patterns, affecting long-term health. Too many lights are left on overnight when not needed, wasting energy, adding to electricity bills and releasing more carbon emissions into the atmosphere says the charity. Last year Cumbria’s Councils, two National Park Authorities and the charity, produced an award-winning Good Lighting Guide for Cumbria to help tackle the problem of poor lighting choices and designs.

Friends of the Lake District’s Dark Skies Officer Jack Ellerby, said: “We have everything crossed for clear skies on Tuesday the 23 April, having postponed the original event because of bad weather. We know interest in experiencing star-laden night skies is very much on the rise, so we hope lots of people will take part in the event.”

Dark Skies Cumbria partner The National Trust are hosting activities in Crow Park from 8pm onwards. Bruce Hardy, their Visitor Operations and Experience Manager said: “We would like people to come and take in the many benefits of spending time in nature, including experiencing looking up at a clear starlit sky. People can join in stargazing, have a go at nighttime photography, and take part in a 'Stargazing and Forest Bathing' session.

For more information about the event please visit the Friends of the Lake District website, and search for Keswick Big Switch Off April 2024

Keswick Big Switch Off April 2024 | Friends of the Lake District