Today, 12 August, a major solar eclipse will take place over the UK shortly before sunset – the last event of its kind until 2081. The next total solar eclipse over the UK will be in 2090. And with clear skies over much of the country this evening, the chances of seeing it will be much improved from the cloudy event in 1999.
The path of totality will cross over western Europe. Although the UK sits just outside the full path of totality, many parts of the country will experience between 89 per cent and 96 per cent coverage of the Sun, meaning even those who cannot travel abroad will still witness a spectacular partial eclipse here at home.
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow across a portion of the Earth’s surface and obscuring the Sun’s light for a few minutes.
The next total solar eclipse over the UK will not happen until 23 September 2090, so Scotland’s Astronomer Royal, Catherine Heymans, recommends everyone try to get outside and view this year’s event if they can. “To experience celestial motion in real-time, witnessing the rare brief moment when you, the Moon and the Sun, are all in perfect alignment – well, that feels just magical,” she says.
This year’s eclipse occurs in the evening, starting at around 6.15pm and ending a little after 8pm. This means the Sun will be very close to setting, so you’ll need to be up high or on a shoreline with an open view of the low western horizon.
The excitement doesn’t end at sunset, though, as this year’s eclipse occurs during the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, offering the best chance of the year to see shooting stars after dark.
How to watch the eclipse safely
Safety is important when viewing a solar eclipse. Never look directly at the Sun, even when it is partially or totally eclipsed, as you risk permanently damaging your eyes. Normal sunglasses do not provide protection; you need ISO-rated eclipse glasses purchased from a trusted source.
Eclipse glasses reduce sunlight to safe levels and block harmful rays (Photo: National Space Centre, Leicester)According to Neill Sanders of UKeclipse.com, safe eclipse glasses should comply with the international safety standard ISO 12312-2. “This standard specifies the requirements for filters intended for direct observation of the Sun,” says Sanders. “Glasses that meet this standard reduce sunlight to safe levels and block harmful ultraviolet and infrared radiation. Reputable manufacturers test their products to ensure they meet these strict requirements before they reach consumers.”
Trusted UK sources for eclipse glasses include the Royal Observatory, First Light Optics and Sollunae.
However, these are now scarce. If you haven’t got hold of a pair, you can make a pinhole camera using a piece of card with a hole poked in it to cast a shadow of the eclipse on the ground, or by simply observing the crescent-shaped shadows of tree leaves.
Robert Massey, deputy executive director of the Royal Astronomical Society, says that you may experience strange effects, as the UK is fairly close to the eclipse’s centre line. “You will see the quality of shadows changing, for example, so if you hold up your hand, you might see the ends of your fingers have these weird little crescents hanging off them. The light can also take on a weird purple hue.”
Massey also suggests carrying a jumper or cardigan: “Even with the summer we’ve been having, you will probably notice a drop-off in temperature, because you’re reducing the intensity of sunlight by so much.”
Where to get closest to totality
An eclipse appears slightly differently depending on where you view it because the Earth is round and the Moon’s shadow moves across it. So, exact timings differ depending on your location. You can calculate the exact timings for your location using Timeanddate.com.
The Scilly Isles, including the island of Bryher, will experience up to 96.5 per cent coverage (Photo: James Osmond/Getty)The highest coverage, up to 96 per cent, will occur on the Isles of Scilly, while mainland Cornwall and the southwest of England will see up to 95 per cent coverage – the closest you’ll get in the UK to the path of totality. Any coastline with a view to the west will offer a suitable viewpoint, with the Welsh coast seeing up to 93 per cent coverage in many areas.
Where to view in London
London will experience around 91 per cent coverage, but buildings and foliage could be a significant barrier, since the Sun will be low in the sky. For the best view, find a hilltop or building with a view to the west, such as Blackheath, Hampton Court Palace or Primrose Hill.
Gotford’s Hill in Freyernt Country Park, in the borough of Brent, and Blythe Hill in the borough of Lewisham also have high vantage points to the west. You could also put a new spin on a Waterloo sunset and try watching from a Thames bridge, or head to a skyscraper or rooftop venue, such as the Shard, the Roof Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street or the Sky Garden.
SW London Astronomers will be hosting an informal viewing event on Tooting Common with solar telescopes and eclipse glasses. In East London, Loughton Astronomical Society will host a free event at the Bury Road Car Park near Chingford, with special hydrogen-alpha and white light telescopes and eclipse glasses.
Primrose Hill offers a vantage point for viewing the eclipse over London (Photo: Gabriel Mello/Getty)Events around the UK
Many observatories, astronomy clubs and venues across the UK are holding special events with a chance to meet an astronomer or view the eclipse through a telescope fitted with a special solar filter. Below are a few highlights; check out UKeclipse.com for a more exhaustive list.
Leicester
The National Space Centre is hosting an event with safe eclipse viewing, a planetarium show, live astronomy, family activities and an exclusive evening event.
A child watching the partial solar eclipse in 2025 (Photo: National Space Centre, Leicester)Hampshire
Fordingbridge Astronomers is holding a free public event with solar telescopes and approved eclipse glasses followed by a “Perseid Picnic” after dark to view the meteor shower. The event takes place on Fordingbridge Recreation Grounds, where you’ll get 93 per cent eclipse coverage.
Northumberland
Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory is holding a special viewing event to witness 90-92 per cent coverage. Solar telescopes and eclipse glasses will be available, and in the evening there will be stargazing and Perseid meteor-spotting.
After the eclipse, Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory is offering a stargazing session (Photo: Battlesteads Observatory Team)Somerset
Bossington Hall near Portlock has a special bed, breakfast and eclipse-viewing package, with a glass of bubbly and free eclipse glasses, plus meteor-spotting after dark.
Cornwall
As part of the Falmouth Week festival, the Royal Navy Parachute Display Team, the Flying Comrades and the AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers will be putting on an air display from 6.15pm as the solar eclipse takes place overhead. Coverage will be 95 per cent, with vantage points in Falmouth including Pendennis Castle, Gyllyngvase Beach and the lawns of The Falmouth Hotel.
Kernow Astronomers are staging a free event at Carnewas on Bedruthan, on the west-facing North coast of Cornwall. They’ll have filtered telescopes to observe the solar eclipse safely.
The eclipse can be viewed from the lawns at The Falmouth Hotel, which look out over the sea (Photo: 3deep)Glamorgan
Bridgend Astronomical Society will host a free public event at Rest Bay in Porthcawl, with a chance to talk to astronomers and see the eclipse at about 93 per cent coverage through a solar telescope.
Edinburgh
The Astronomical Society of Edinburgh will host an eclipse viewing party on Calton Hill at the old City Observatory. Eclipse glasses will be given away and there will be solar telescopes to view the Sun, which will reach 91 per cent coverage.
Edinburgh’s City Observatory ceased operating in 2009 and is now home to an art centre (Photo: Tomas Sereda/Getty)Armagh
Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is holding an Eclipse Family Fun Day with solar-themed planetarium activities, crafts, rocket-building, interactive space activities and food stalls, as well as eclipse-viewing from the Astropark – a scale model of the universe in the grounds. There will be about 94 per cent eclipse coverage here.
Where to see a total eclipse outside the UK
If this eclipse gets you hooked, you can experience another as soon as next summer – but further afield. Taking place on 2 August 2027, it will be the 21st century’s longest land-based total solar eclipse, lasting up to six minutes and 23 seconds near Luxor, Egypt.
Also in the path of totality are parts of Algeria, Gibraltar, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia. New Scientist offers expert-led eclipse-themed trips; a 12-day Morocco tour, with expert-led eclipse viewing in a remote part of the Rif Mountains, starts at £5,499pp, departing 30 July 2027.
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