Greenwich Park will be one of the best places in London to watch the eclipse
16:25, 12 Aug 2026Updated 16:29, 12 Aug 2026
Tonight will see Londoners witnessing one of the most exciting astronomical events in decades, as a partial solar eclipse will see up to 96 per cent of the Sun obscured by the Moon. The Royal Observatory Greenwich has called it the most spectacular eclipse visible from the UK since 1999, so this is definitely not one to miss.
If you are looking for the perfect spot to watch it, Greenwich Park is hard to beat. The Royal Observatory is almost guaranteed to have an incredible atmosphere, with the Flamsteed Astronomy Society set to host a viewing event at the site. The now sold-out event will feature experts on hand to answer your questions and help you get the most out of the experience.
For those who missed out on tickets to the official observatory event, entry to Greenwich Park itself is free, with plenty of spectators expected to descend on the park to watch the eclipse. The Royal Observatory is also running a free live stream of the eclipse, so you can alternatively watch from the comfort of your sofa.
For those who are planning to venture out, the Royal Parks, who operate Greenwich Park, have issued a statement urging eclipse-watchers to be careful and considerate, particularly with successive heatwaves causing unusually dry conditions.
The full statement from the Royal Parks said: “Many Londoners are awaiting the biggest solar eclipse this century with real anticipation, and we expect the view from the General Wolfe Statue at Greenwich Park to be a popular viewing spot for this rare event. While there is no official event taking place, people are welcome to enjoy the eclipse from Greenwich Park. However, we ask visitors to help keep the experience safe and special for all by remembering that amplified music, fireworks and BBQs are strictly prohibited on Greenwich Park and in all the Royal Parks.”
It added: “Following successive heatwaves and the hottest July on record, the grass is exceptionally dry. Visitors are reminded to take special care to extinguish and dispose of cigarettes safely and to take litter, especially glass, home if bins are full, to help prevent the risk of a dangerous wildfire starting and spreading.”
For those looking for alternatives to Greenwich Park, there are plenty of other brilliant spots across the capital. Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath, at 98 metres elevation, offers sweeping views across the city and will be a fantastic place to soak up the spectacle. Telegraph Hill in South London is another solid choice, sitting at 58 metres and giving observers a prime view towards the west-northwest. Over in North London, Primrose Hill at 64 metres is well worth considering, and you can expect plenty of fellow eclipse-spotters to join you up there.
In London, the eclipse will reach its peak at 7.12pm, when roughly 90 per cent of the Sun will be obscured. It will wrap up at around 8.10pm.
If you do head out to watch the eclipse, make sure you take proper precautions such as wearing certified eclipse glasses or using an indirect viewing method, such as a pinhole projector, to avoid looking directly at the sun. Even a short glance at the sun with the naked eye can cause permanent damage to vision.
After this week, the next deep partial solar eclipse visible from the UK will not come around until 2050, and the next total solar eclipse will not be seen from these shores until 2090. So regardless of where you go to view it, make the most of it and enjoy one of nature’s most jaw-dropping displays.
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