Zahna Eklund

A partial solar eclipse in the UK on 12 August 2026 is expected to obscure about 90% of the Sun, with maximum coverage shortly after 7pm. After sunset, the Perseid meteor shower will reach its annual peak, with unusually dark skies because the eclipse coincides with a new moon. Viewers may see up to about 100 meteors per hour, particularly from areas away from urban light pollution. The article recommends allowing eyes 15 minutes to adjust, avoiding phones, and using the unaided eye rather than binoculars or telescopes. The combination of the Perseid peak and a new moon is not expected to recur until 2045.

Stowe House and Gardens in Buckinghamshire, about an hour and a half from Birmingham, is recommended as a family-friendly day trip featuring 250 acres of gardens, temples, lakes, monuments and a bridge described as one of Britain’s most beautiful. The site also offers access to a larger 750-acre park with wildlife walks and bridleways. Gardens and house entry are charged separately, while National Trust members receive discounted or free access to parts of the site. Visitor reviews praise the scenery, peaceful walks, café and low crowd levels.

Darragh Ennis advises avoiding backlit screens before bedtime to prevent blue and yellow light exposure from reducing melatonin and disrupting sleep. He recommends putting phones down entirely and opting for printed reading instead. The NHS reinforces this with broader sleep guidance, including maintaining a consistent sleep routine, limiting device use before bed, managing stress, creating a comfortable sleep environment, and avoiding stimulants and heavy meals before sleeping.