Herts &amp; Beds


<p>If you’ve had time to look up these past few days you might have seen a whole host of celestial activity from the Eta Aquariid meteor shower (debris from Halley&#8217;s Comet) to the jaw-dropping Flower Moon. </p>



<p>Didn’t catch any of it? Don’t worry. There&#8217;s still time to catch the Eta Aquariid meteor shower as it reaches its peak tonight (<strong>May 6</strong>) and is active until <strong>May 28</strong>. Not only that, but three planets are putting on a show this month plus there&#8217;s a wonderfully rare Blue Moon. Astronomers say May is the final opportunity to spot Jupiter before it sinks below the horizon but Venus will be dazzling bright throughout the month. And mark your diaries, as on <strong>May 19</strong> Jupiter, the Moon and Venus will form an elegant line along the night sky. To round things off, <strong>May 31</strong> marks the appearance of the Blue Moon. Want to get the best views? Head to these local spots for some planet spotting, stargazing, and moon bathing (with foodie pitstops along the way).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bayfordbury-observatory-herts"><a href="https://www.herts.ac.uk/bayfordbury" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bayfordbury Observatory</a>, Herts</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Bayfordbury1500x1500-1000x1000.jpg" alt="bayfordbury observatory " class="wp-image-94815" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Bayfordbury1500x1500-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Bayfordbury1500x1500-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Bayfordbury1500x1500-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Bayfordbury1500x1500-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Bayfordbury1500x1500-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Bayfordbury1500x1500.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bayfordburyobservatory/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@bayfordburyobservatory</a> </figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.herts.ac.uk/bayfordbury" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bayfordbury Observatory</a> is the University of Hertfordshire&#8217;s teaching observatory for astronomy and astrophysics but they hold Self-Guided Opening Evenings where you can view objects in the sky through their telescopes or book onto a Guided Astronomy Evening and listen to an expert a talk on Astronomy before observing some wonders of the sky. </p>



<p><strong>Grab a bite:</strong> <a href="https://www.farmersboypub.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Farmers Boy</a>, Brickendon with its large restaurant, snug bar and laid-back vibe. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dark-sky-telescope-hire-chiltern-hills"><a href="https://www.stargazingexperiences.co.uk/chiltern-hills-stargazing-experience-for-2-hours" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dark Sky Telescope Hire</a>, Chiltern Hills</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/pexels-photo-1567069.jpeg" alt="two people stargazing with telescope" class="wp-image-143015" /></figure>



<p>Get the full treatment with the <a href="https://www.stargazingexperiences.co.uk/chiltern-hills-stargazing-experience-for-2-hours" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dark Sky Telescope Hire </a>stargazing experience gift box. Astronomer Seb Jay will guide you through a private two-hour Chiltern Hills stargazing experience, with views through a telescope so you can gaze at the stars, moon and galaxies beyond our own. Locations include Ivinghoe Beacon nr Tring, and Dunstable Downs nr Dunstable.</p>



<p><strong>Grab a bite:</strong> <a href="https://www.greyhoundaldbury.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Greyhound Inn</a>, Aldbury, is a lovely pub overlooking the village green with its pretty pond, and is a dead cert for proper pub grub and a local ale. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-letchworth-and-district-astronomical-society"><a href="https://www.ldas.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Letchworth and District Astronomical Society</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/Stargazingwithtelescope-1000x667.jpg" alt="Stargazing with telescope" class="wp-image-89137" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/Stargazingwithtelescope-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/Stargazingwithtelescope-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/Stargazingwithtelescope.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The <a href="http://www.ldas.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Letchworth and District Astronomical Society</a> meet once a month at Standalone Farm (where the observatory is based) and members range from complete beginners to experienced astronomers. As well as members&#8217; talks there are also public star parties when you can just drop in for free and gaze at clusters, nebulas, galaxies and planets using the equipment in the main observatory, or bring your own telescope along and learn more about how to use it. Next meeting <strong>May 27</strong>.</p>



<p><strong>Grab a bite: </strong>Call into the <a href="https://www.heritagepubs.co.uk/three-horseshoes-letchworth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Three Horseshoes</a>, a friendly 18th-century inn, for a drink and bite-to-eat in Letchworth. Dogs welcome. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bedford-astronomical-society-bedford-school"><a href="https://bedsastro.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bedford Astronomical Society</a>, Bedford School</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/SoalrSystem-1000x667.jpg" alt="Galaxy" class="wp-image-89140" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/SoalrSystem-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/SoalrSystem-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/SoalrSystem.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The <a href="https://bedsastro.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bedford Astronomical Society</a> hold observing sessions  every Wednesday (if the night sky is clear) at the Piazzi Smyth Observatory at Bedford School. Stargazers can use the high-tech telescope in the main dome to view the planets and Moon, or the portable telescopes on the outside observation deck.  </p>



<p><strong>Grab a bite: </strong>Enjoy local craft beers and traditional pub grub (maybe even some live music) at one of Bedford&#8217;s oldest pubs, <a href="https://www.theflowerpotbedford.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Flowerpot</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-luton-astronomical-society-bedford-university"> <a href="http://www.lutonastrolink.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luton Astronomical Society</a>, Bedford University</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/OBSERVATORY-ryan-heuer-mvFgF0sLOGc-unsplash-1000x667.jpg" alt="Observatory at night" class="wp-image-77079" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/OBSERVATORY-ryan-heuer-mvFgF0sLOGc-unsplash-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/OBSERVATORY-ryan-heuer-mvFgF0sLOGc-unsplash-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/OBSERVATORY-ryan-heuer-mvFgF0sLOGc-unsplash-787x525.jpg 787w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/OBSERVATORY-ryan-heuer-mvFgF0sLOGc-unsplash.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The <a href="http://www.lutonastrolink.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luton Astronomical Society</a> holds meetings on the last Thursday of every month at the University of Bedfordshire&#8217;s Dall Oberservatory. Members and non-members welcome. </p>



<p><strong>Grab a bite: </strong>Make a stop at <a href="https://www.therustygun.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Rusty Gun</a>, St Ippolyts &#8211; a former blacksmith&#8217;s forge with an infamous history and pigs in the garden (fun for the kids!) Try the rare breed pork and local ales.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more-try-these">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE? TRY THESE:</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture-things-to-do/outdoor-art-sculpture-walks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Walks of art: Where to see outdoor sculptures in Herts &amp; Beds</a></li>



<li><a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture-things-to-do/independent-cinemas-hertfordshire-bedfordshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The best local indie cinemas to watch this year’s Oscar-winning films</a></li>



<li><a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/cafes/farmshop-cafes-hertfordshire-bedfordshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fabulous farm shop cafés near you that are well worth a visit</a></li>
</ul>



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Look up: must-see cosmic events this May in Herts & Beds

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