Solar eclipse 2026 LIVE: London cast into darkness as Moon covers 90% of Sun in epic spectacle

Solar eclipse 2026 LIVE: London cast into darkness as Moon covers 90% of Sun in epic spectacleA spectacular solar eclipse was watched by millions in the capital

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Millions in London watched the most spectacular solar eclipse in the UK in nearly three decades on Wednesday.

At its height, the Moon was covering around 90 per cent of the Sun.

The eclipse started at 6.17pm and finished just after 8pm. It was the fullest of its kind seen in UK skies since the total eclipse in 1999.

People watched the solar event from homes and parks across the capital.

Follow our live blog for the latest solar eclipse updates...

Key Points

What time is today's solar eclipse in London - and how can you safely watch it? Three ways to watch the solar eclipse safely without glasses When will the next solar eclipse be in the UK? Drivers told they may need to turn headlights on during eclipse Will there be clear skies tonight?

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London parks packed out with people watching eclipse

Here are some more photos from around the capital, with thousands out in London parks to watch the solar eclipse.

People use special protective glasses as they watch a near total solar eclipse from Primrose HillAFP/GettyPeople watch the partial solar eclipse in Greenwich ParkGettyPeople gather to view the partial solar eclipse in Greenwich Park GettyPeople gather to view the partial solar eclipse in Greenwich ParkGetty

Family bring welding mask to Greenwich Park

A welding mask was among the more out-of-the-ordinary devices used to view the partial eclipse.

But Brian Mayrick, who brought it along to Greenwich Park, said it was popular among the viewing public.

“We weren't sharing it but people asked to use it,” he said. “People were asking us where we bought it.”

Jacqueline Mason-Hamlyn, his business partner from Blackheath, said: “There's been a lot of improvisation.”

Brian, Jacqueline and her daughter Sophie arrived at 5.45pm in time for the shifting in the sky.

Jacqueline felt this year's event had even more buzz about it than in 1999 when parts of Britain experienced a total eclipse.

“It wasn't as good as it would have been in Cornwall and it wasn't a total eclipse but it was about the ambience,” said Jacqueline.

“When we had the 1999 one, I don't think people were that interested really. They went out into their gardens maybe but this was real excitement.

“I think it had been whipped up by the news and social media. The actual eclipse itself was only so partial, it didn't go that dark.”

Sophie added: “I definitely felt a cool breeze when it was at its peak.”

Jacqueline (left), Brian (centre) and SophieLS

Eclipse brings people together

The partial eclipse brought people together by the Royal Observatory.

Jae Alexander and John Hogg, friends for 45 years, started chatting with Argentine product designer Carla D’Ovidio after noticing she did not have glasses to watch the obscuring of the sun.

They shared their glasses with her and have now set up a WhatsApp group so the three of them can meet up in London.

Jae, a West End conductor, described himself as an eclipse chaser.

“Two years ago I was in Toronto for the total eclipse - I'm a bit of an eclipse follower,” said Jae, from Balham.

“I was meant to be in Spain right now, as was John, for the total eclipse but it didn't work out.

“But we got 95 per cent here and it was fantastic. When I was in Toronto, we never saw it because it was so cloudy. We didn't see anything, it just went very dark - much darker than today.

”John Hogg, a composer, said: “I absolutely loved it. It all worked out brilliantly.”

Carla said: “It was fantastic. It was made better because they leant me the glasses so I could see it.

“I thought, what better place to be than on the meridian line. It's eventful and when I look back, I will remember that I was at Greenwich observatory.”

Jae (left), Carla (middle) and JohnLS

Crowds begin to leave following eclipse

The crowds have started to ebb away from Greenwich Park following the peak of this evening’s eclipse.

There are large queues of cars attempting to leave now that the event is over.

The crowds in Greenwich ParkLSLSQueues to get out of Greenwich ParkLS

Eclipse almost over

Conditions are now almost back to normal in the capital, with the eclipse nearly over.

Here is the latest image from the Royal Observatory.

Royal Observatory screenshot from 7.51pmRoyal Observatory screenshot

Arsenal fans sport eclipse glasses

Arsenal are taking on Como at the Emirates this evening in a pre-season friendly.

Many fans arrived with more than the match on their mind however - with several showing off their eclipse glasses.

An Arsenal fan uses tin foil and a cardboard box to try and see the solar eclipseGettyArsenal fans use eclipse shades to view the solar eclipse prior to the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal and Como Getty Arsenal fans using eclipse shadesGetty

Hundreds of spectators on Waterloo Bridge

Hundreds gathered on Waterloo Bridge this evening to observe the eclipse - see the images below.

LSLSCrowds gathered on Waterloo BridgeLS

Eclipse's peak passes

The capital is starting to brighten again, now we have gone past the eclipse’s peak.

Here is the latest from the Royal Observatory, as of 7.29pm,

Royal Observatory screenshot at 7.29pmRoyal Observatory screenshot

The eclipse, as seen through glasses

Crowds celebrate eclipse in Greenwich Park

A spontaneous round of applause broke out across the hills of Greenwich Park to greet the moment of peak eclipse.

Those with young children have started to pack up home while others desperately attempt to capture the fading moment on their phone cameras.

LSLSHundreds gathered in Greenwich Park to observe the eclipse this eveningLSLatest updatesOlder updates