In pictures: Sky watchers gather for solar eclipse

A bright crescent of sunlight appears against a black sky as the Moon passes in front of the Sun during a partial solar eclipse.

Image source, BBC / Jack ValpyImage caption,

The Moon obscured about 90% of the Sun during the partial solar eclipse

ByTanya GuptaSouth East

Published12 August 2026, 19:20 BST

Updated 7 minutes ago

People gathered at beaches, parks and attractions across the South East to watch the Moon pass in front of the Sun during a partial solar eclipse.

Across southern England, sky watchers were able to see about 90% of the Sun obscured.

Parties, picnics, workshops and talks were held to mark the event, with the next partial solar eclipse visible from the UK not expected until 2050 and the next total eclipse not occurring until 2090.

We gathered images from across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, capturing the crowds, coastlines and viewing methods that helped people experience the moment.

Image gallerySkip image gallery

Image source, BBC / Phil HarrisonImage caption,
Rhiannon Quinche, in Tunbridge Wells, said she had "never seen anything like it"
Image source, BBC / Hanna NeterImage caption,
Sky watchers waited high up on the South Downs as cars queued near Beachy Head
Image source, Bob CourticeImage caption,
Eclipse watchers gathered amongst the trees on Ockham Common in Surrey
Image source, BBC / Hanna NeterImage caption,
Glenda Whiles and David Hearn used a colander to help view the eclipse from the South Downs
Image source, BBC / Phil HarrisonImage caption,
Household items found a new purpose as people watched the moon pass the sun
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers / Small_SkipperImage caption,
People in Great Bookham, Surrey, improvised with colanders to watch the event
Image source, BBC / Phil HarrisonImage caption,
People gathered on Tunbridge Wells Common many wearing solar glasses
Image source, Eddie MitchellImage caption,
Hundreds of people gathered along the coast near Goring-by-Sea

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Previous imageNext imageSlide 1 of 8, Rhiannon Quinche stands in a grassy clearing on Tunbridge Wells Common wearing eclipse glasses, with its famous rocks in the background. Trees surround the area and warm evening sunlight falls across the landscape., Rhiannon Quinche, in Tunbridge Wells, said she had "never seen anything like it"End of image gallery

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