Where is the best place to watch a meteor shower?
Somewhere dark, away from street lights, with a wide open view of the sky. Moorland, rural fields, the coast and designated dark sky places are ideal, but even a dark garden can work.
Light pollution is the biggest enemy of the meteor watcher. Most meteors are faint, and the glow of streetlights and buildings hides all but the brightest. Moving from a town centre to genuinely dark countryside can multiply the number of meteors you see several times over. A good test: if you can see the Milky Way, the sky is dark enough to enjoy a shower.
The UK has some excellent spots. Large areas of national parks such as Exmoor, the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog), Snowdonia (Eryri) and Northumberland are recognised as dark sky places, and Galloway Forest Park in Scotland was the first such park in Britain. Elsewhere in the world, deserts, mountains and remote islands offer superb skies, and many countries have their own dark sky reserves. You do not need a famous location, though; a farm track, beach or hilltop well away from towns can be excellent.
Look for a wide view of the sky. Meteors can appear anywhere, not just near the radiant, so hills, trees and buildings on the horizon reduce your chances. Lie back on a reclining chair or a mat with a sleeping bag and look about two-thirds of the way up the sky, roughly towards the radiant but not straight at it. Height above local fog or haze can help, and checking the weather forecast for cloud is essential.
Safety comes first. Choose somewhere you can reach and leave safely in the dark, ideally a place you have visited in daylight. Go with friends or family, tell someone your plans, take a torch with a red filter to protect your night vision, and wear warm layers, because even summer nights get cold. Respect private land: ask permission before using fields or farm land, and close gates behind you.