The greatest solar eclipse the UK has seen since 1999 is coming. While not a total solar eclipse, people will see around 90% of the Sun covered by the Moon across the British Isles—and to top it all off, it’s happening the very same day as the Perseid meteor shower peaks.
There’ll be plenty to see in the skies this Wednesday 12 August, so we’ve gathered all the best spots in Greater Manchester where you’ll likely be able to see the partial solar eclipse, and a fair few will be marking the special day with activities to match.
Best places in Greater Manchester to see the partial solar eclipse
Heaton Park
Manchester’s biggest park will be lending itself to the viewing of the rare solar eclipse on Wednesday. Meet the Heaton Park Astronomy Group at the Stables Cafe to watch the eclipse of the Sun, from 6.13pm to 8.04pm.
There will be free eclipse glasses, specially adapted solar binoculars, and telescopes to view the eclipse of the sun. And as an added bonus, Heaton Park Cafe will be open until 8pm to keep everyone fuelled for the viewing.
Pounding Manchester’s pavements
If you can’t fathom missing out on your evening run but still want to see the rare eclipse, look no further than Manchester Road Runners. The run club will be putting on a special run under a darkened Sun on Wednesday from The Wharf at 6:30pm, with peak moon coverage expected at around 7:10pm.
If you prefer to experience your solar phenomena under the wide open skies, fellow runners over at Trail Division will also be holding a hike/run off road across the other side of the city. Meet up at Piccadilly Station at 6pm to get shady in the great outdoors. For both of these events, it is highly recommended that you bring your own eclipse glasses.
Holcombe Hill
With Peel Tower (which is dedicated to former prime minister Sir Robert Peel) standing proud on Holcombe Hill, you know you’ve arrived in Ramsbottom with such a beacon. The hill can be approached from a number of angles including the town centre, south of the town via Holcombe Brook and north of the town via Stubbins.
The walk is steep but once you reach the top you’ll be rewarded with impressive views and on a clear day you can see the city of Manchester in the distance, and it’s perfect for catching the impressive sight of a partial solar eclipse – just make sure to bring your viewing glasses.
Jodrell Bank Observatory
The Moon covers up to 95% of the Sun during this partial eclipse, and Jodrell Bank keeps its doors open late for the occasion. The observatory will run guided solar viewing sessions, letting you safely watch the alignment as it happens through specialised equipment.
Ahead of the main event, you can join cyanotype crafting workshops on site or catch a screening ofThe Sun, Our Living Star inside the Space Dome. Book ahead to ensure your spot here.
Rivington
As one of the loveliest green spaces in Greater Manchester, Rivington is undoubtedly a prime spot to catch the solar eclipse. Framed by the greenery of stunning woodland and with the skies casting striking reflections onto the reservoirs, the eclipse will be on full display over Rivington.
Whether you decide to climb the heights of Winter Hill or up to the Pike, or remain somewhere more comfortable like Rivington Brew Co Tap, it’s set to be a great spot to watch the skies. In addition, the stunning Great House Barn will be staying open until 7pm, serving pizza, hot drinks, cakes, treats and ice cream, fuelling your journey wherever you choose to watch.
Barton Aerodrome
Although the path of totality passes over Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain, Salford will still witness an impressive and dramatic partial eclipse. Salford Astronomical Society will still be hosting a public eclipse‑viewing event at Barton Aerodrome, offering a wide, unobstructed view of the western horizon—perfect for watching the eclipse as the Sun sinks low in the sky.
There’ll be special glasses available for £1 each, experts on hand to discuss the phenomenon and answer questions, and telescopes and viewing equipment available for public use.
Platt Fields Park
From 5pm to 6pm, certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses, courtesy of Go Stargazing, will be distributed free of charge at the Wilmslow Road entrance to Platt Fields Park before the eclipse begins.
Advance booking is recommended to secure your free pair of eclipse glasses, as numbers are limited. The park provides an excellent location to observe the eclipse, which reaches around 90% coverage at maximum. The event is weather dependent and will be cancelled if cloud or rain prevents the eclipse from being seen from Manchester – although the weather looks to be clear and sunny on Wednesday.
Tips for watching the solar eclipse
During an eclipse, the Sun appears dimmer than usual, which can make it easier to look at directly. That is exactly the danger, because reduced brightness can override the body’s instinct to look away, allowing intense sunlight to damage the retina without pain or immediate warning.
Looking at the Sun with the naked eye, or through ordinary sunglasses, can cause permanent eye damage. Even very dark sunglasses do not block enough harmful solar radiation, so they should never be used for eclipse viewing.
The UKHSA suggests the following ways to watch the eclipse safely:
- Use proper eclipse glasses – meeting the international safety standard ISO 12312-2:2015(E).
- Try an indirect view – such as a pinhole viewer, a colander, or projecting the Sun’s image through gaps in tree leaves onto a surface below.
When will the solar eclipse be most visible in Greater Manchester?
According to Time and Date, the peak of the partial solar eclipse will be visible at around 7:10pm on Wednesday 12 August in Greater Manchester. It will begin at 6:13pm, lasting until 8:03pm – so if you miss the peak, there’s still a chance to see this rare phenomenon in action.
