Peak District roads 'like M1' as hundreds turn out for Northern Lights - but see nothing

Hundreds of drivers took to the Peak District roads in an attempt to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights last night - only to see a stream of blinding headlights. After the spectacular views of the lights, also known as aurora borealis, on Friday night (May 10), many were excited to see a repeat on Saturday.

"The roads out to the Peak District were like the M1," said Ben Green, who drove out from Sheffield to Stanage Edge at around 10.15pm. He described a "constant flow of cars" driving further into the Peak District via Ringinglow Road.

"I've lived here all my life and in forty years I've never seen the roads so busy, even on a hot summer's day. The sheer number of people was bonkers in what is usually a quiet rural area.

"It was like a festival, people were parking up and some had camping chairs. At the time you think you're the only person having this idea." However, people were ultimately left disappointed by the lack of aurora activity.

Debbie Howard, who travelled out to Burbage Edge, said the only lights she saw were car headlights. "Yay! I saw the Northern Lights. But not the ones I was expecting," she posted on X.

"Just all us northerners blinding each other with our car headlights hoping to catch the aurora borealis in the Peak District." She added in a separate comment: "It was actually great to see so many people out there hoping for a sighting of the Aurora. Appreciating nature.

"I guess we just didn’t anticipate so many doing the same thing." Another X user, Nick M, posted photos of a busy traffic. "Chaos in the Peak District last night as literally everyone attempted to catch sight of the Northern Lights," he said.

"Nothing seen, apart from headlights."