Hakin Observatory
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Hakin Observatory is a historic stone tower at Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire, Wales, standing at an elevation of 49 metres.
About Hakin Observatory
The observatory was built in 1809 by C. F. Greville, intended as the centrepiece of a proposed "College of King George the Third" for the study of mathematics and navigation. The project was abandoned after Greville's death that same year, leaving the observatory as its only completed element.
History
Construction is an octagonal stone-and-brick tower roughly ten metres high, with a vaulted top and slit openings originally designed for telescope use. Today the building is protected as a Grade II* listed structure and Scheduled Monument, recognised for its historical and archaeological significance.
Location & getting there
Hakin Observatory sits at Milford Haven on the Pembrokeshire coast in southwest Wales.
Visiting Hakin Observatory
As a Scheduled Monument, the tower is a heritage site rather than an active public observatory. Check current access arrangements locally before visiting, as this is not a facility offering scheduled viewing nights.
See your named star from here
Though Hakin Observatory's own telescope was never installed, the Pembrokeshire coast still offers dark, open skies for stargazing. A star you've named through Star Register can be found using its coordinates from our star catalogue, wherever you set up to look.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.
