The most significant solar eclipse since 1999 is just days away and will be visible from the UK - but people in some areas will have a better view than others11:33, 07 Aug 2026Updated 11:33, 07 Aug 2026The UK is just a few days away from a much awaited solar eclipse - the most significant since 1999.‌On Wednesday next week, the Moon will pass directly between the Earth and the Sun, blocking the Sun's face and leaving a narrow strip of the Earth's surface in darkness. The European Space Agency states: "With the Sun’s dazzling disc covered, we get a unique chance to see its wispy atmosphere.‌"Stars and planets appear in the sky. The temperature drops. The wind picks up. And birds and insects may behave as if it’s nighttime."‌The solar eclipse will be visible across much of Europe and will even reach full totality in some places including Spain, Portugal and Iceland. This won't be the case in the UK on this occasion, however, many places around the country will be able to observe up to 96 per cent coverage.This means the Moon will appear to take a "bite" out of the Sun, dimming its light slightly and leading to twilight conditions. The last total eclipse visible from the UK was on August 11, 1999, with Cornwall and parts of Devon in the path of totality.‌Cornwall and Devon will also be the region where this month's eclipse will see most of the Sun covered. Penzance, for example, will get 95.76 per cent, reached at 7.16pm.Hugh Town in the Isles of Scilly will reach 96.44 per cent, with most of the UK coverage being above 90 per cent, making it the deepest solar eclipse here since 1999.‌August 2026 solar eclipse times for UK citiesEdinburgh - 90.7 per cent, 7.05pmGlasgow - 91.4 per cent, 7.06pmBelfast - 93.1 per cent, 7.08pm‌Leeds - 90.8 per cent, 7.09pmManchester - 91.4 per cent, 7.10pmLiverpool - 91.8 per cent, 7.10pm‌Sheffield - 91 per cent, 7.10pmBirmingham - 91.8 per cent, 7.11pmCardiff - 93.2 per cent, 7.13pmArticle continues belowLondon - 91.4 per cent, 7.13pmExeter - 94 per cent, 7.15pm