A once-in-a-generation solar eclipse captivated the UK on August 12, 2026, delivering the clearest spectacle of its kind since 1999. Millions of Britons turned their eyes to the skies, with crowds gathering at viewing spots across the country.
The sky fell into an eerie darkness as the Moon covered more than 90% of the Sun, leaving just a slender crescent of light visible. Greenland, Iceland and Spain all experienced totality, where the Moon completely covered the Sun. In the UK, the maximum coverage took place between 7.05pm in Edinburgh and Glasgow and 7.16pm in Cornwall.
London witnesses deep partial eclipse
London was cast into darkness this evening, with the capital witnessing a deep partial solar eclipse, the Moon obscuring 91.34% of the Sun. Sky-watchers swarmed to vantage points across the country, including Greenwich Park and Primrose Hill, where a spontaneous round of applause erupted as spectators celebrated the moment of peak eclipse.
Kim Rebecca, 26, of Canada Water, south east London, said: "You could definitely notice it getting darker." The city asset management worker added: "I have never seen an eclipse before and it is an amazing phenomenon. It is still hot but it is noticeably cooler than it was."
UK totality and iconic backdrops
The UK reached the totality of the eclipse at 7.10pm. The Houses of Parliament provided one of London's most recognisable backdrops for the eclipse, making for an especially striking silhouette against the partially eclipsed Sun.
The UK will not experience an eclipse of this magnitude again until 2081.
Totality in Spain and Iceland
Spain experienced a total solar eclipse, with the path of totality crossing parts of northern and eastern Spain, including A Coruña, Oviedo, León, Burgos, Zaragoza, Valencia and Majorca. Western Iceland also fell directly within the path of totality, making it one of the few places in Europe where the Moon completely obscured the Sun. In Reykjavík, totality lasted for around 58 seconds, while locations further west experienced the dramatic darkness for considerably longer.
