The five best places to watch the solar eclipse in Wales

This Wednesday, a rare partial solar eclipse will be visible from various areas across the UK – and Wales is set to see some of the most impressive views.

More than 90 per cent of the sun will be obscured by the moon between approximately 18:10 and 20:06 BST on Wednesday, August 12th. It will be the largest solar eclipse visible from the UK until September 2090, and the most impressive since August 1999.

If you want to catch a glimpse of the eclipse, these are some of the best spots to head to across Wales.

1. Strumble Head, Pembrokeshire

According to the Met Office, Pembrokeshire is expected to see between 94  and 96 per cent of the sun covered during the eclipse.

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Strumble Head is also one of Pembrokeshire’s most scenic spots, and has also been ranked as the second-best individual viewing location in the UK for the eclipse.

There are many beautiful beaches and coastal spots to choose from across  Pembrokeshire, but Strumble Head is one of the best places to set up for the evening.

2. Rhossili Bay, Gower

Rhossili Bay has also been named one of the top places to watch the solar event,  alongside several other locations across the Gower Peninsula.

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As the eclipse is expected to take place in the evening, a clear view of the western horizon is your best bet on a great view.

3. Cardiff

You don’t need to leave the capital to see the eclipse either. Cardiff is expected to see 93.24 per cent of the sun covered by the moon, reaching its peak at approximately 19:13 BST.

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But if you’re planning on watching it, make sure you do it safely. Imo Bell, a planetarium astronomer at the Royal Greenwich Observatory, told The Independent: “It’s not a total eclipse, but over 90 per cent is really exciting. We’re not going to get one this good for a really long time.

“So, it’s important not to miss it, and to be prepared. You can’t just go out and expect to have a look because it’s really dangerous for your eyes.

“So, you can use solar eclipse glasses, which are very, very different from sunglasses – they block out so much light that you can’t see anything through them except the Sun, because that’s how much light they need to block for the damaging light of the Sun to be safe to view.”

4. Craig Goch Dam, Elan Valley

If you’re after somewhere a little more remote, Craig Goch Dam in the Elan Valley will also boast an impressive view of the event.

As the highest upstream of dams in the Elan Valley, Craig Goch Damn offers wide, uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape.

5. Rest Bay Beach, Porthcawl

Rest Bay Beach is also among some of the top locations to spot the eclipse.

With the evening sun setting over the horizon, the beach could make for a particularly scenic place to watch the event. As the sun will be hidden for less than two minutes, it’s vital you set up your viewing spot just in time!

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♬ Coastline – Hollow Coves

Although Wales and other parts of the UK will only see a partial eclipse, counties such as Spain and Portugal will witness a total eclipse.

So, wherever you decide to watch it from, make sure you’ve got your eclipse glasses ready! And don’t miss it, as you’ll be waiting a very, very long time for another one…

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Featured image via Canva and TikTok @ellee004