London Solar Eclipse 2026: On Wednesday, 12 August 2026, London will experience a dramatic 91% deep partial solar eclipse, marking the UK’s most significant solar event since 1999. The upcoming solar eclipse is shaping up to be an extraordinary event across London. The Met Office weather forecast for Wednesday, 12 August 2026 indicates highly favorable conditions with an exceptionally hot, sunny day reaching 32°C, and a completely clear night sky. This guarantees perfect visibility across the capital for the 91% deep partial coverage.
Here’s everything you need to know about London Solar Eclipse 2026, date, time, best place to watch, and more.
London Solar Eclipse 2026: Date
The London solar eclipse will take place this week on Wednesday, 12 August 2026.
What is Solar Eclipse?
A solar eclipse is a natural astronomical event that happens when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and the Earth. When this alignment occurs, the Moon blocks the Sun’s light from reaching certain parts of the Earth, casting a massive shadow on our planet and briefly turning day into darkness.
London Solar Eclipse 2026: Best Time to Watch
The entire event will unfold over nearly two hours in the early evening:
-
6:17 PM BST: The Moon begins covering the Sun (First Contact).
-
7:12 PM – 7:13 PM BST: The eclipse reaches maximum peak coverage.
-
8:06 PM BST: The partial eclipse officially concludes.
London Solar Eclipse 2026: How to Watch Eclipse Safely?
To watch the August 2026 solar eclipse safely in London, you must never look directly at the Sun with the naked eye or standard sunglasses, as the Moon will only cover 91% of the Sun, leaving a dangerously bright crescent exposed. Looking directly at it can cause irreversible retinal burns and permanent blindness.
-
Use Certified ISO 12312-2 Eclipse Glasses
-
Safeguard Your Cameras, Binoculars, and Telescopes
-
Build a DIY Indirect Pinhole Projection Card
-
Check Optical Welder’s Glass Alternative
London Solar Eclipse 2026: Best Places to Watch Eclipse in London
As the eclipse occurs late in the day when the Sun is low on the west-north-west horizon, you will need a high or wide-open vantage point free of buildings. Top recommended viewing spots include:
-
Greenwich Park: The Royal Observatory Greenwich is hosting a public viewing session near the Dolphin Sundial.
-
Primrose Hill & Parliament Hill: High elevations offering clear western horizon fields.
-
Alexandra Palace: Excellent elevated panoramas over the capital.
-
Tooting Commons: Local astronomy groups like the SWL Stargazers are hosting free public viewing events with solar-filtered telescopes
London Solar Eclipse 2026: Perseid Meteor Shower
To make Wednesday night even more spectacular, the peak of the Perseid meteor shower falls on the exact same night (12–13 August). As the eclipse happens during a New Moon, the night sky will be perfectly dark and devoid of moonlight.
Once the sun goes down, staying out on an open hill or traveling to a less light-polluted spot like Kenley Airfield will give you an unparalleled opportunity to see shooting stars.
London Solar Eclipse 2026: Safety Instructions
It is never safe to look directly at the Sun during a partial eclipse without protection. Standard sunglasses will not protect your eyes. You must use certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses or construct a safe indirect pinhole projector.
