Photo: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Partial solar eclipse · 12 August 2026

Where to watch the 2026 solar eclipse in Brighton

Brighton sees a deep partial eclipse on 12 August 2026 — about 91.8% of the Sun covered at around 19:14 BST, with the Sun a comfortable ~10° above the horizon.

Partial eclipse Get certified eclipse glasses

Maximum~19:14 BSTEngland · United Kingdom · 12 Aug 2026

Duration~1h 49m of partial eclipseThis is the full partial eclipse from first to last contact. There is no totality here — the Sun is never completely covered, so there is no corona and no moment when it is safe to look without protection.

Sun altitude~10° above the WNW horizonhigh enough that cloud, not terrain, is the risk

Coverage91.8% (partial)Brighton is OUTSIDE the path of totality. About 91.8% of the Sun is covered at maximum — a deep partial eclipse, but not a total one. The corona never appears and the sky does not go dark.

Clear-sky odds Mixed, best in the south-west · ≈52%South-west England and the Channel coast see more August sunshine than most of Britain, though Atlantic cloud arrives quickly.

Counting down to maximum

—days —hrs —min —sec

Brighton sees a deep partial eclipse on 12 August 2026 — about 91.8% of the Sun covered at around 19:14 BST, with the Sun a comfortable ~10° above the horizon.

Below: Brighton's exact timings, the best open viewpoints, why your eclipse glasses never come off here, and where the real totality is.

The timeline

When the eclipse happens

~18:18 BSTPartial begins — first "bite" out of the Sun

~19:14 BSTPartial — ~1h 49m of partial eclipse. Glasses off only if total.

~20:26 BSTEclipse ends ~20:07 BST

The eclipse runs from about 18:18 to 20:07 BST, with maximum at around 19:14 and the Sun ~10° above the west-northwest horizon. The eclipse finishes before sunset at 20:26 BST, so you are not racing the horizon here.

Where to set up

The best places to watch

Devil's Dyke

Elevated · South Downs

Best height and horizon

The Downs escarpment above Brighton gives a huge open panorama — the finest viewpoint in the area for a low Sun.

Brighton seafront

Coast · open

Sea horizon and space

The seafront gives an open low outlook with room for crowds along its length.

Ditchling Beacon

Elevated · highest local

Long views in every direction

One of the highest points on the South Downs, with unobstructed horizons.

Hove Lawns

Open ground · seafront

Room for crowds

Wide open grass beside the sea with clear sightlines and space.

West along the coast

Deeper coverage

Toward Cornwall

Coverage increases westward along the south coast; the far south-west sees the most.

Local astronomy societies and science centres often organise safe public viewing with filtered telescopes — worth checking closer to the date.

Plan your trip

Where to stay near the eclipse

Accommodation around the viewing area for eclipse night (11–13 Aug 2026). Compare hotels and rentals live on the map below.

The weather call

Will the sky be clear?

South-west England and the Channel coast see more August sunshine than most of Britain, though Atlantic cloud arrives quickly.

The deciding factor here is simply whether the sky is clear at the right moment. Check the forecast in the final 48 hours and, if you can, keep the option of moving to a gap in the cloud.

Plan the day

Your eclipse-day checklist

Certified ISO 12312-2 / CE eclipse glasses — one pair per person
Glasses stay ON for the entire eclipse — there is no safe moment here
A reasonable view west — the Sun is ~10° up, so gaps in cloud are enough
Arrive before 18:18 to catch first contact

Check the cloud forecast in the final 48 hours
Never look through a camera, phone or binoculars without a proper solar filter
Pinhole projection is a safe way for groups to watch together
If you want totality, it is northern Spain — not here

Watch it safely

However you’re watching, watch it safely

Every Absolute Eclipse product is independently certified and made in the EU. There’s no safe moment to look unaided here — keep certified eyewear on the entire time.

ISO 12312-2 certified
CE · EU 2016/425 PPE
Made & shipped in the EU

Brighton eclipse FAQ

Will Brighton see a total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026?

No. Brighton is outside the path of totality and sees a partial eclipse, with about 91.8% of the Sun covered at maximum. It is a striking sight through eclipse glasses, but the corona does not appear and the sky does not go dark. The path of totality crosses northern Spain.

What time is the eclipse in Brighton?

The partial phase begins at about 18:18 BST and maximum — 91.8% coverage — comes at roughly 19:14 BST. The eclipse finishes before sunset at 20:26 BST, so you are not racing the horizon here.

Do I need eclipse glasses in Brighton?

Yes, for the entire eclipse without exception. Because the Sun is never fully covered, there is never a safe moment to look with the naked eye. Even at 91.8% coverage the remaining sliver is dangerously bright. Certified ISO 12312-2 / CE glasses stay on from start to finish.

Where should I watch from in Brighton?

With the Sun about 10° above the horizon at maximum, a break in the cloud matters more than a perfect horizon — though higher, open ground still gives the best view.

Will the weather be clear in Brighton on eclipse day?

South-west England and the Channel coast see more August sunshine than most of Britain, though Atlantic cloud arrives quickly.

Keep exploring the path

Nearby regions to watch from

● Partial

Kilder: timeanddate.com · nationaleclipse.com · eclipsophile.com (vejr) · Gobierno de Aragón · BBC Sky at Night. Tidspunkter er lokale (CEST).