When is the solar eclipse 2026 in UK and how to watch safely - complete guide

When is the solar eclipse 2026 in UK and how to watch safely - complete guide The most dramatic solar eclipse visible from the UK since 1999 will take place on August 12, with Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Bristol offering some of the best viewing spots The most dramatic solar eclipse visible from the UK since 1999 is now just days away. On August 12, the Moon will pass directly between the Sun and the Earth, blocking some or all of the Sun's light from reaching our planet. Across much of Europe, including the UK and Ireland, skygazers will be treated to an impressive partial solar eclipse, with around 90 per cent of the Sun covered by the Moon in many locations. Meanwhile, a total solar eclipse - where the Moon completely covers the Sun - will be visible along a narrow path crossing Greenland, Iceland, Spain, northern Russia and a small area of northern Portugal. It will be the first time in more than a century that mainland Spain has experienced a total solar eclipse. The UK and Ireland will see their deepest solar eclipse since August 11, 1999, when a total eclipse was visible from most of Cornwall and Devon. What is a solar eclipse and how often does it happen? A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves directly between the Sun and the Earth. During an eclipse, the Earth is in the Moon's shadow. Because the Moon is much smaller than the Earth, its shadow only covers a small area of the Earth's surface, meaning a solar eclipse is visible only from certain parts of the planet. There are usually between two and five solar eclipses each year. A total solar eclipse occurs somewhere on Earth roughly every 18 months. Which parts of the world will see a total and partial solar eclipse on August 12? A total solar eclipse will be visible from parts of Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, Spain and north-east Portugal. A partial solar eclipse will be visible across much of Europe, parts of Africa, North America, the Atlantic Ocean, the Arctic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. What time is the solar eclipse - and where's the best place in the UK to see it? The exact timings will vary depending on location. In London, Bristol and Cardiff, the eclipse will begin at around 6.17pm, reach its maximum at around 7.12pm and finish at around 8.06pm, according to Royal Museums Greenwich. Viewers in London will see roughly 90 per cent of the Sun covered by the Moon. Timings for other locations in the UK can be seen in the table below: According to the Royal Observatory Greenwich, the best places in the UK to see the most dramatic eclipse coverage will be in the south-west of the country. Cornwall will experience around 95 per cent coverage, while Pembrokeshire in south-west Wales will see around 94 per cent, the observatory says. Those able to travel to the south-west tip of Ireland will see some of the highest coverage anywhere in the British Isles, with almost 97.5 per cent of the Sun obscured by the Moon. Which parts of the world will not see the solar eclipse? Although millions of people will be able to watch the eclipse, large parts of the world will miss it. Most of South America, southern Africa, Australia, New Zealand and much of Asia will not see the event because the eclipse will occur during nighttime hours or while the Sun is below the horizon. Those unable to view it in person will still be able to watch online, with the European Space Agency hosting a live webcast from Spain's Astrophysical Observatory of Javalambre, alongside a public celebration in León. NASA will also provide coverage, as will the Italy-based Virtual Telescope Project and others. Is it safe to look at a solar eclipse with sunglasses? No. Ordinary sunglasses do not provide adequate protection for viewing a solar eclipse, as they do not block the levels of solar radiation that can reach and damage the retina. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned that the Sun may appear less bright than usual during an eclipse, making it easier to look at it directly. However, harmful levels of sunlight can still reach the retina and cause damage - often without any immediate signs or discomfort. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists reported around 70 cases of people experiencing vision problems after viewing the 1999 total solar eclipse. Around 40 per cent of those affected had observed it for less than a minute. How can I watch the solar eclipse safely then? The UKHSA recommends two safe ways to view a solar eclipse: using specialist eclipse viewers or using indirect viewing methods. Those planning to use eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers should ensure that they are genuine eclipse glasses fitted with specially designed filters that meet the international safety standard ISO 12312-2:2015(E). Genuine eclipse glasses are available from reputable retailers, including Royal Museums Greenwich. Eclipse glasses should not be used if the lenses are scratched, torn or damaged. Another safe method is to use a simple pinhole projector. A small hole made in a piece of card can project an image of the Sun onto a surface, allowing the eclipse to be viewed without looking directly at the Sun.