How the West watched most historic solar eclipse since 1999

51 minutes ago

Leigh BoobyerWest of England

News image — No special viewing glasses? No problem

BBC People are stood by a stone wall looking through cardboard boxes up at the eclipse — No special viewing glasses? No problem

Thousands of people from across the West of England stood or sat completely still on Wednesday evening to watch a historic partial eclipse.

More than 90% of the sun was obscured by the moon - the most it has been blocked above UK skies since the total eclipse in 1999.

In areas like Weston-super-Mare, Bath, Bristol, Cheltenham and Warminster people gathered to watch the phenomenon with special glasses, alongside DIY viewers who looked through cereal boxes and colanders. One person even watched through a welding mask.

From vantage points to pub gardens and homes, here's how you viewed the once-in-a-generation solar eclipse.

Bristol

Handout Big crowd sitting on grass near parked cars on Clifton's Downs. — Huge crowds gathered on Clifton's Downs, where earlier free eclipse glasses were being handed out

A woman is holding a colander up against a white piece of paper — For those not lucky enough to secure the free glasses on Clifton Downs, some people have taken to other means

Handout Many people are sat and stood on a large hill to watch the eclipse — There were cheers on Trooper's Hill as people gathered to watch the phenomenon

Handout A young boy is wearing special eclipse glasses while looking at the sun — Nine-year-old Louis was given a pair of glasses by a stranger and says he "feels really lucky"

Gloucestershire

People are sat on chairs while on a large hill — People climbed Cleeve Hill, on the edge of Cheltenham, to watch the eclipse at what is the highest point of Gloucestershire

Three people are sat on grass wearing eclipse glasses — Some people had both the eclipse glasses and homemade viewing devices

A group of people are standing and looking up at the sun — Picnics at the ready: lots of people combined the eclipse viewing with alfresco dining

Somerset

Four young girls are pointing up at the sky while standing on a sandy beach — Weston-super-Mare's famous beach was packed with people hoping to view the eclipse

A family of four are sitting on a blanket and a chair while wearing glasses, looking at the eclipse. — Families gathered in Weston-super-Mare hoping to get a clear view

Two woman are sat down on grass with special eclipse glasses looking at the sun — Beckford Tower, in Bath, was also busy with eclipse enthusiasts

People are sat on stone steps looking at the sun — Meanwhile, people gathered by Cheddar Reservoir for a scenic view

Wiltshire

PA Media A woman is holding a cardboard box with a man stood next to her, pointing it at the sun. Behind them is the large Stonehenge circle — People turned to DIY methods to view the eclipse at prehistoric Stonehenge

PA Media A woman is wearing a black welding mask looking at the sun — One woman stood out from the crowd wearing a welding mask

PA Media A woman is holding up a colander and a piece of paper while looking away from the sun — And lots of people brought their colanders to the event

A woman is looking into a large telescope — Meanwhile, Starquest Astronomy Club held a special event in Warminster town park for people to view the spectacle

Two women are sat down wearing special eclipse glasses to look at the sun — Two women don their fiery eclipse glasses

A woman is looking through a hole in a giant cardboard box at the sun — And some people got very creative to view the historic moment

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How the West watched most historic solar eclipse since 1999

Bristol

Gloucestershire

Somerset

Wiltshire

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