Gower National Landscape becomes the second International Dark Sky Community certified in Wales

Swansea, Wales

Gower National Landscape was designated as an International Dark Sky Community by DarkSky International. This is an important achievement because the Gower Peninsula is one of the last areas with truly dark skies in South Wales, and this designation will protect the nighttime environment for future generations. Working in partnership, Swansea Council, Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales, Gower Society, and other environmental groups and individuals have all contributed towards the Dark Sky Community application, showcasing how contemporary Welsh legislation and local planning guidance work alongside community engagement to protect this special place.

“Through dedication and collaboration, the dark sky advocates supporting Gower National Landscape have achieved a significant milestone—securing its place as an International Dark Sky Community. This achievement safeguards not only the breathtaking beauty of Gower’s starlit skies but also the rich biodiversity and cultural heritage rooted in its landscape. Their efforts illuminate a path where community passion, forward-thinking officials, and environmental stewardship converge to protect the wonders of the night for generations to come. We congratulate the Gower team on becoming the sixth International Dark Sky Place in Wales and look forward to continued collaboration,” remarked Amber Harrison, International Dark Sky Places Program Manager.

The Gower Peninsula, near Swansea in South Wales, was the first area in the UK to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1956 for its exceptional natural landscape and breathtaking views. Gower’s superb coastline and outstanding natural environment – including heath, grassland, fresh and saltwater marsh, dunes, and woodland – make it internationally important for biodiversity.

Gower has five Special Areas of Conservation, three National Nature Reserves, two Local Nature Reserves, and many Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The region’s complex geology creates an incredible variety of scenery in a relatively small area – ranging from carboniferous limestone in the south to saltmarshes and dune systems in the north. Inland, the most prominent features are large areas of common land, dominated by soaring sandstone heath ridges and secluded valleys with rich deciduous woodland. The traditional agricultural landscape is a patchwork of small fields characterized by walls, stone-faced banks, and hedgerows. 

Gower has been populated since prehistoric times and has a high concentration of ancient sites. The western end of Gower is listed in the Register of Landscapes of Outstanding Historic Interest in Wales for its Neolithic and Bronze Age features and its surviving medieval open field system. Almost all of the coast is in the protective ownership of either Swansea Council, the National Trust, Natural Resources Wales, or the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales.

In 2018, the Gower Partnership, which advises Swansea Council, began the process of applying for Gower to be certified as a dark sky community. To support this initiative, an ongoing engagement and education program has been implemented for residents and businesses to raise awareness of the importance of dark skies. Gower now hosts several dark sky events annually, attracting over 800 attendees in 2024 alone. 

Annual night sky monitoring conducted since 2017 has provided essential data that informs local lighting retrofitting efforts and national dark sky mapping. As of August 2024, Swansea Council has retrofitted all 1,641 streetlights in Gower with dark sky-compliant LED lanterns. Swansea Council’s 2021 Gower Placemaking Guide also includes Supplementary Planning Guidance ensuring all new developments incorporate dark sky-friendly lighting. 

Gower has also joined a Wales-wide partnership that secures funding from the Welsh Government to help reduce light pollution in designated landscapes. This funding has enabled lighting retrofitting in various locations, resulting in immediate lighting improvements on Gower and other designated areas across Wales. 

Support for Gower’s dark sky initiatives has been voiced through letters from Members of Parliament, Members of the Senedd, national environmental organizations, and community councils, all of which have contributed to raising the profile of this important work.

“Thanks to Gower’s lighting retrofitting scheme, our school was able to receive a complete refurbishment of our outdoor lighting. This has reduced unnecessary light pollution from our school while improving the quality of our lighting, keeping us well-lit and safe. Our new lights use about 85% less electricity than our previous ones and have shown our community how some small changes to lighting can save money, reduce carbon, and make a positive difference to wildlife. Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity,” remarked Donna Caswell, head teacher at Llanrhidian Primary School.

Paul Lloyd, chair of the Gower Advisory Group, stated, “not only has there been growing awareness of the benefits of dark skies on Gower which encourages and supports nocturnal wildlife activity, but there’s also the tourism and educational opportunities available to humans.”

“Knowledge of the beauty of Gower by day has become second nature over the years. Now visitors and locals alike are learning about the different worlds on the ground and in the sky they can discover when the sun goes down.”

 “Securing Dark Sky Community Status from DarkSky International has not come about by accident. It’s been a brilliant joint effort over a number of years by lots of individuals, groups, and organizations. I want to thank them for their support in making this happen.”

“We are thrilled to have achieved Dark Sky Community status. As a Gower farmer, I know what the sky looks like at night. It’s magical because you can see so much more of the stars and the planets than you can from well-lit towns and cities. Gower by day is amazing, Gower by night offers whole new worlds. Next year Gower celebrates the 70^th anniversary of becoming Britain’s first area of outstanding natural beauty. This latest accolade puts us on an international map that includes hundreds of locations on five continents, all highlighting the special beauty and benefits for wildlife and humans that can be found in dark sky places,” said Andrew Stevens, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure.

Now that Gower has been designated as an International Dark Sky Community, the partnership will continue to work with our community, landowners, and businesses to ensure the night sky is protected for future generations. This new status is the start of the journey for Gower, as we look to continue protecting its landscape and its night skies.

About the International Dark Sky Places Program: Founded in 2001, the International Dark Sky Places Program is a non-regulatory and voluntary program encouraging communities, parks, and protected areas worldwide to preserve and protect dark sites through effective lighting policies, environmentally responsible outdoor lighting, and public education. When used indiscriminately, artificial light can disrupt ecosystems, impact human health, waste money and energy, contribute to climate change, and block our view and connection to the universe. Gower now joins more than 230 Places that have demonstrated robust community support for dark sky advocacy and strive to protect the night from light pollution. Learn more by visiting https://darksky.org/what-we-do/international-dark-sky-places/

About DarkSky International: The mission of DarkSky is to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through environmentally responsible outdoor lighting. Learn more at darksky.org

Contacts:
Jake Cosgrove
[email protected]

Amber Harrison
Dark Sky Places Program Manager, DarkSky International
+ 1 (520) 347-6363
[email protected]