Photo: grahamwell / Graham profile at Flickr website / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Partial solar eclipse · 12 August 2026

Where to watch the 2026 solar eclipse in Cardiff

Cardiff sees a deep partial eclipse of around 93% on 12 August 2026 — deeper than London — with the Sun 12° above the horizon and the Bristol Channel opening the western view.

Partial eclipse Get certified eclipse glasses

Maximum~19:13 BSTWales · 12 Aug 2026 · maximum eclipse

Duration~1h 51m 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~12° above the WNW horizonhigh enough that cloud, not terrain, is the risk

Coverage93.2% (partial)Cardiff is OUTSIDE the path of totality. About 93.2% 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 odds in the far south-west · ≈52%Cornwall and the south-west coast get more August sunshine than most of Britain, though Atlantic cloud and sea fret can roll in quickly.

Counting down to maximum

—days —hrs —min —sec

Cardiff sees a deep partial eclipse of around 93% on 12 August 2026 — deeper than London — with the Sun 12° above the horizon and the Bristol Channel opening the western view.

Below: Cardiff's exact timings, the bay and hillside viewpoints, why glasses stay on throughout, and where coverage runs deeper still.

The timeline

When the eclipse happens

~18:16 BSTPartial begins — first "bite" out of the Sun

~19:13 BSTPartial — ~1h 51m of partial eclipse. Glasses off only if total.

~20:40 BSTPartial ends ~20:07 BST

The partial eclipse runs from about 18:16 to 20:07 BST, with maximum coverage of 93.2% at around 19:13. The whole eclipse finishes before sunset at 20:40 BST, so you are not racing the horizon here.

Where to set up

The best places to watch

Cardiff Bay barrage

Waterfront · open

Wide open water and sky

The barrage and bay give a broad, low, unobstructed view over the water toward the west — the most reliable sightline in the city.

Penarth Head

Elevated · coastal

Height above the channel

The cliff above Penarth looks out over the Bristol Channel with real elevation and a clean western horizon — the best local combination.

Garth Hill

Elevated · above the city

Panorama over the valleys

The hill north-west of Cardiff gives a long view back over the city and out toward the channel, well clear of any buildings.

Barry Island and the Vale coast

Coast · open sea

Sea horizon to the south-west

The Vale of Glamorgan coastline gives open sea views and beach space, with a different weather draw from the city.

West to Pembrokeshire

Deeper coverage

More of the Sun covered

Coverage increases toward the south-west. The Pembrokeshire coast sees a little more, with spectacular Atlantic horizons — and Cornwall more still.

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?

Cardiff sees deeper coverage than London or Manchester, with the Sun a comfortable 12° up and the Bristol Channel giving open water to the south-west.

South Wales gets its share of Atlantic cloud, and the Brecon Beacons can generate evening build-ups inland.

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 ~12° up, so gaps in cloud are enough
Arrive before 18:16 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

Cardiff eclipse FAQ

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

No. Cardiff is outside the path of totality and sees a partial eclipse, with about 93.2% of the Sun covered at maximum. That is a striking sight through eclipse glasses, but it is not totality — the corona does not appear, the sky does not go dark, and there is no moment when it is safe to look without protection. The path of totality crosses northern Spain.

What time is the eclipse in Cardiff?

The partial phase begins at about 18:16 BST and maximum — 93.2% coverage — comes at roughly 19:13 BST. The whole eclipse finishes before sunset at 20:40 BST, so you are not racing the horizon here.

Do I need eclipse glasses in Cardiff?

Yes, for the entire eclipse without exception. This is the most important difference from a total eclipse: because the Sun is never fully covered, there is never a safe moment to look with the naked eye. Even at 93.2% 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 Cardiff?

With the Sun about 12° above the horizon at maximum, you have some flexibility — a break in the cloud matters more than a perfect horizon. Higher, open ground still gives the best view.

Does Cardiff see more of the eclipse than London?

Yes, slightly — about 93% versus London's 91%, because Cardiff is further west and therefore closer to the path of totality. The Sun is at a similar height in both. Neither sees totality; for that you need northern Spain.

Will the weather be clear in Cardiff on eclipse day?

Cornwall and the south-west coast get more August sunshine than most of Britain, though Atlantic cloud and sea fret can roll in 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).