Northern lights captured in 'incredible display' across Cumbria

Lucky photographers in Hayton and at Bassenthwaite were able to take a snap of the stunning natural phenomenon as it made a rare appearance in Cumbria.

The aurora borealis, or aurora, is a natural, electrical phenomenon characterised by the appearance of streams of red or green lights in the sky, especially near the northern or southern magnetic pole.

The northern lights in Hayton (Image: Charlotte Draper)The effect is caused by the interaction of charged particles from the sun with atoms in the upper atmosphere.

Typically, the northern lights are only visible in more northern locations, with countries Canada, Iceland, Greenland and Norway regularly getting site of the aurora borealis, but the lights are occasionally seen in Cumbria with dark skies and little or no light pollution.

Members of the News and Star Camera Club shared their images of the legendary northern lights, with Mark Hetherington calling it an ‘incredible display’.

Another incredible shot of the aurora at Bassenthwaite (Image: Mark Hetherington)BBC weather forecaster, Simon King, said: “Sightings are likely to become more regular as we approach the peak in solar activity in 2025.

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“Throughout the summer, the window of opportunity therefore is perhaps only a few hours at most when it is very dark.

“Seeing it in north-east England and Cumbria isn't too uncommon.”

The northern lights were spotted across Cumbria in 2023 with Whitehaven and Maryport both seeing the lights as well as locations across the lake district and towards the Scottish border.