Main content

After Dark on the Brecon Beacons

A star-lit adventure, dusk to dawn in the Brecon Beacons National Park. From moth-trappers to starling-spotters to astro-photographers, Emily Knight meets those outside after dark.

Long winter nights are a time for hot drinks, closed curtains and snoozing by the fire. Well, not for everyone. In the Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales, people are up and about all through the night. Emily Knight finds out what they're up to.

The Brecon Beacons are recognised as an International Dark Sky Reserve - one of two in Wales and only seventeen in the world. With minimal light pollution, it's possible to see nature as it once was - before the background glow of electric lights got in the way. Head out into the rolling hills at night and you'll see something you'll never be able to see from a city, even on the clearest of nights - the sparkling streak of the Milky Way, cutting the night in two.

There's plenty more to be found by the light of the stars. From moth-trappers to starling-spotters to astro-photographers, well-armed with scarves and flasks and head-torches, the dark quiet landscape is alive with activity - if you know where to look.

Presented and produced in Bristol by Emily Knight

Available now

24 minutes

Last on

Sat 4 Dec 2021 06:07

Clip

Broadcasts

  • Thu 2 Dec 2021 15:00
  • Sat 4 Dec 2021 06:07

Podcast