UK SOLAR ECLIPSE · 12 AUGUST 2026
Solar Eclipse UK — 12 August 2026 — in United Kingdom
What time is the eclipse, where should you look, and how can you see it? Britain sees a deep partial solar eclipse during the evening, making the western horizon unusually important.
The eclipse is total along a narrow path elsewhere, but Britain lies outside the path of totality. From the UK it will be seen as a deep partial solar eclipse, with the amount of the Sun covered depending on location.
There is another complication: this is an evening eclipse.
Across Britain, the Sun will be moving towards the western horizon as the eclipse approaches maximum. A clear view in the right direction could make the difference between seeing it and finding the Sun hidden behind buildings, trees or hills.
The UK lies outside the narrow path of totality.
The eclipse occurs during the early evening in Britain.
The exact azimuth depends on your location.
The relatively low evening Sun makes local obstructions unusually important.
What time is the eclipse in the UK?
The precise circumstances vary across the country. For London, sourced public eclipse circumstances show a partial eclipse beginning at about 18:17 BST, maximum at about 19:13 BST, and ending at about 20:06 BST, with magnitude 0.925.
Magnitude is not the same as obscured-area percentage. Do not convert it directly into coverage without a separate calculation or source.
Stand here. Look this way.
The current SunPoint map supports eclipse mode and can calculate local eclipse circumstances from a dropped pin. This page links into that tool rather than embedding a second full-screen map inside the article.
- Local maximum time where supported
- Sun azimuth and compass direction
- Sun altitude at maximum
- Direction line on the map
Dynamic location output belongs in the map layer. Article examples below use sourced static circumstances only where stated.
Why your viewing location matters
The Sun does not simply need to be above the astronomical horizon. You need to be able to see that horizon.
- Find your intended viewing location on SunPoint.
- Select the eclipse or 12 August 2026.
- Follow the direction line towards the Sun.
- Check that the horizon in that direction is unobstructed.
- Consider moving to higher or more open ground where necessary.
Sun calculations determine where the Sun is relative to the mathematical horizon.
Buildings, trees, hills, cliffs, haze and terrain can determine whether you can actually see it.
Which direction should you face?
The eclipse takes place in the western part of the sky from Britain, but “west” alone is not precise enough for choosing a viewing spot. The actual compass bearing varies with location and eclipse phase.
Where in the UK will the eclipse be strongest?
The eclipse is visible across the UK, but the proportion of the Sun obscured is not identical everywhere. Areas farther towards the southwest are generally closer to the path of totality and experience particularly deep partial phases.
This page does not publish a UK city ranking because the current application does not include a maintained regional eclipse-circumstances table for every city.
What will the eclipse look like from Britain?
It will not become night. As the eclipse progresses, the Moon will cover an increasing portion of the solar disc. The daylight may become noticeably unusual, but the remaining visible part of the Sun is still extremely bright.
Why is it total in Spain but only partial in Britain?
The Moon's darkest central shadow — the umbra — crosses a relatively narrow part of Earth's surface. The UK lies outside it, within the much broader partial-shadow region.
Observers in the narrow central shadow can experience totality.
The UK sits in the partial-shadow region for this event, while only parts of Spain are in totality.
Never look directly at the partial eclipse without proper protection
Because the UK does not experience totality, there is no total phase in Britain during which the bright solar surface is completely covered.
Ordinary sunglasses are not suitable for direct solar viewing. Use genuine solar viewers designed for observing the Sun and meeting the relevant safety standard, or use a safe indirect viewing method such as projection.
Cloud does not turn direct solar viewing into a safe method.
Read UKHSA eclipse safety guidance →Best types of place to watch from
Check the exact bearing before committing to a spot; local obstructions matter more when the Sun is low.
Check the exact bearing before committing to a spot; local obstructions matter more when the Sun is low.
Check the exact bearing before committing to a spot; local obstructions matter more when the Sun is low.
Check the exact bearing before committing to a spot; local obstructions matter more when the Sun is low.
Check the exact bearing before committing to a spot; local obstructions matter more when the Sun is low.
Photography and viewing tips
- Check the direction before eclipse day.
- Arrive early enough to inspect the real horizon.
- Do not assume an open sky overhead means the western horizon is clear.
- Use appropriate solar filters for photographic equipment.
- Never look through unfiltered binoculars, telescopes or optical viewfinders.
- Have an alternative viewing position nearby in case the original horizon is blocked.
- Check the weather forecast, but remember that thin or broken cloud is not safe eye protection.
Frequently asked questions
Find your eclipse direction
Don't guess which part of the horizon the Sun will be in. Drop a pin on your exact viewing location and see the direction of the Sun on 12 August 2026.
Open eclipse map →