UK prepares for rare August 12 solar eclipse

On 12 August 2024 the United Kingdom will experience its deepest partial solar eclipse in a generation, with more than 90 % of the Sun obscured between 6:17 pm and 8:06 pm local time. The Royal Greenwich Observatory warned that ordinary sunglasses are unsafe and recommended certified solar‑eclipse glasses, solar telescopes, or indirect viewing methods such as projecting the Sun’s image through a colander. Astronomer Imo Bell advised the public to face west, avoid buildings that could block the view, and expect a crescent‑shaped Sun as the Moon covers most of it.

Tourism operators highlighted premium viewing locations. Glenapp Castle in Ayrshire, Scotland, and Farlam Hall in Cumbria, England, are promoting their remote, dark‑sky settings and luxury amenities for eclipse‑watchers, including fine‑dining options. The event is the most significant solar eclipse visible from the UK since 1999, with the next total eclipse not expected until 2090.