Watch the UK’s biggest solar eclipse in decades from a private, off-grid Shacks cabin on 12 August 2026. Eclipse glasses included, cabins with smart telescope available. Book now.
The Best Solar Eclipse the UK Has Seen in Decades. Watched From Your Own Cabin.
On the evening of Wednesday 12 August 2026, up to 95% of the sun will disappear behind the moon over the UK – the deepest solar eclipse we’ve seen since 2015, and the closest to total that Britain will get until 2081. It happens slowly, low in the western sky, right through golden hour. And a few hours after it ends, the Perseid meteor shower peaks in the same dark, moonless sky.
Most people will watch it from a car park, a office car park, or a crowded hillside, phone in hand, straining for a signal. You could be watching it from an outdoor bath, in silence, with nothing but sky above you.
Scroll to the bottom for our remaining availability on 12th August.
What you’ll actually see
From our cabins in North Wales, Cheshire, and Staffordshire, you’ll see around 90–95% of the sun covered by the moon, starting just before 6pm, reaching its peak between roughly 7:05pm and 7:15pm BST, and finishing as the sun sits low over the horizon. It’s not quite a total eclipse, but it’s close enough to notice the sky dim, the temperature drop, and the light turn strange and silvery. It’s the kind of thing you only get a handful of chances to see in a lifetime.
Everything you need, already there
Eclipse glasses are provided for every guest, so there’s no last-minute scramble to find safe viewing kit – just step outside when it starts.
For the full experience, book one of our Stargazer cabins, where you can book a smart telescope. Use it to follow the eclipse in detail as it happens, then keep it out after dark for the Perseids – one of the best meteor showers of the year, arriving right on cue that same night.
Why watch it from an off-grid cabin?
Our cabins are built away from towns, streetlights, and other people – which matters more than usual on a night like this. No light pollution to dull the sky, no crowds to watch over, no signal pulling your attention back to a screen. Just you, the people you’re with, and a couple of hours where the whole sky is doing something extraordinary.
If you’ve been meaning to properly switch off for an evening, this is about as good a reason as you’ll get.
Plan your evening
| Time | What’s happening |
| 5:55pm | Eclipse begins – moon starts to cross the sun |
| 7:05-7:15pm | Maximum eclipse — up to 95% coverage |
| 7:50pm | Eclipse ends |
| After dark | Perseid meteor shower peaks — best viewed after 11pm |
Eclipse safety
You must wear certified eclipse glasses any time part of the sun is visible – it’s never safe to look directly at a partial eclipse, even briefly. We provide certified glasses for every guest.
FAQ
Will I be able to see a total solar eclipse from the UK on 12 August 2026? No. The UK will see a partial eclipse, with coverage of around 89–95% depending on location. The path of totality passes over Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain.
Do I need special glasses to watch the eclipse? Yes. Regular sunglasses are not safe. You need certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses at any point the sun is visible — these are provided free for every Shacks guest on 12 August.
What if it’s cloudy? Even with cloud cover, the sky will noticeably dim and cool during the eclipse. Our locations are chosen for open, wide-sky views to give you the best chance of clear breaks in the cloud.
Can children watch the eclipse safely? Yes, with certified eclipse glasses on at all times the sun is visible — the same safety rules apply to all ages.
What is the Perseid meteor shower and will I see it too? The Perseids are one of the year’s most active meteor showers, peaking on the night of 12–13 August. With no moonlight to wash out the sky and no light pollution at our cabins, it’s an ideal night for it.
