Wales will experience a partial solar eclipse for the first time in nearly three decades, with the phenomenon set to be the most visible eclipse across the UK and Ireland since 1999.
On Wednesday, August 12, the moon is set to obscure between 90% and 96% of the sun depending on your location, causing the sky to become noticeably darker. Another partial eclipse with this level of coverage won't occur until 2050, so you won't want to miss it.
When and where to watch in Wales
In Wales, the partial solar eclipse can be observed from 6.13pm to 8.06pm on Wednesday. The moon will start to obscure the sun and it concludes just before sunset as the moon shifts away.
The precise time and degree of coverage will differ depending on your location. Cardiff is expected to see approximately 93% coverage, beginning at 6.16pm.
As the 2026 eclipse occurs late in the evening, the ideal vantage point would be somewhere offering an unobstructed view of the west-northwest horizon.
Top three Welsh viewing spots
Leading space news website Space.com has highlighted three outstanding locations in Wales for witnessing the solar eclipse. These sites feature amongst the UK's top 10 viewing spots, recognised not only for their geographical position but also for their remarkably low levels of light pollution.
Rhossili Bay on the very end of Swansea's Gower Peninsula will see roughly 93.8% coverage at 7.13pm. It is part of the Dark Sky Community which is said to "retain dark skies despite its popularity during the day."
Space.com said: "Rhossili Bay's enormous west-facing beach and elevated clifftops make it ideal for watching a low eclipse unfold above the sea.
"As darkness falls later that evening, the open coastal landscape provides excellent visibility for Perseid meteors."
The Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd will see coverage of 93.3% at 7.11pm. Its remote nature and expansive views will make for perfect eclipse viewing.
Space.com said: "The remote Llŷn Peninsula projects deep into the Irish Sea, offering expansive views toward the west-northwest horizon, where the eclipsed sun will appear before sunset.
"It is also one of the darkest regions in Wales, lying close to the protected skies of Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island) Dark Sky Sanctuary.
"With minimal light pollution and wide rural vistas, the peninsula becomes a superb location for watching Perseid meteors later that same night."
However, Strumble Head in Pencaer, Pembrokeshire, will offer the finest vantage point in Wales, with 94% coverage at 7.13pm. This West Wales location boasts one of the clearest west-facing horizons, making it perfect for observing the eclipse.
Space.com said: "Strumble Head offers one of the clearest west-facing horizons in Wales, with the eclipsed sun appearing above the Irish Sea beside its iconic lighthouse.
"The remote Pembrokeshire coastline experiences very little artificial light, helping preserve dark skies after sunset.
"Once the eclipse ends, this rugged headland becomes an excellent place to watch the Perseids, with broad ocean views and little interference from nearby towns."
Other UK viewing spots
The best place to watch the eclipse in the whole of UK has been named as the Isles of Scilly, specifically Hugh Town which will see a coverage of 96.4% at 7.16pm.
Space.com said: "The Isles of Scilly combine Britain's deepest partial eclipse with some of southern England's darkest skies. From Hugh Town and nearby west-facing beaches on St Mary's, the eclipsed sun will hang low above the Atlantic Ocean late in the day.
"Later that night, with minimal light pollution and broad sea horizons, the islands are an exceptional place to watch the Perseid meteor shower beneath pristine late-summer skies."
The space experts also highlight several spots across the UK for peak eclipse viewing. This includes:
- Land's End in Penzance
- Boscastle in Cornwall
- Exmoor National Park in Somerset and north Devon
- Galloway Forest Park in Dumfries and Galloway
- Northumberland National Park
- Kielder Water & Forest Park in Northumberland
- Giant's Causeway in Bushmills, Northern Ireland
Eclipse coincides with meteor shower
This solar eclipse is particularly thrilling because it coincides with the Perseid meteor shower, which reaches its peak overnight between Wednesday and Thursday.
The Perseids are a renowned meteor shower associated with the comet Swift–Tuttle.
Following the eclipse, visitors can remain to appreciate stunning views of the Milky Way and the Perseid meteor shower, which reaches its peak between midnight and 5.30am.
