STARRY, STARRY NIGHT is a rather charming pop song inspired by a painting of a Vincent van Gogh inspired by the Provençal nightscape. Good job he was not in London: he might have trouble seeing through the smog.

Even today: stargazing is not something many Londoners can enjoy at home, especially those who live in the Tower Hamlets, Newham, Enfield or Waltham Forest, because of light pollution and other factors, not to mention lack of a garden, often not even a bare yard. Yep, where you live in London can affect your chances of seeing the stars.

A new study has lit upon the best (and worst) London locations for stargazing from the comfort of your own garden.

The research, by paint retailer The Paint Shed, analysed issues such as access to a private garden, air pollution, light pollution and precipitation to discover which London boroughs came out on top.

Sadly for those of us who live in the otherwise entirely wonderful NE London or, more likely, who lack any kind of garden, many of the boroughs wrong for night skies are in that very area.

Surprisingly, Kensington and Chelsea is the best borough for stargazing from home, according to the study: residents there are the most likely to see the stars from their own gardens.

Hamish Scott 280622

* See the full survey here.

* Backstory: Helping Hackney women to reach for the stars

*Photographs © DavidAltheer@gmail.com, and for sale for reproduction. Bigger format versions are usually available.

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