November 17th 2021
Exmoor Dark Skies News
Over 2000 people joined 50 events in this year's
Exmoor Dark Skies Festival

Celestron Telescope Won in our Haiku Competition
This year's festival competition was won by 7 year old Logan Holroyd Courton. It was inspired by his bat watching experience on Exmoor and is called Bats Zip:

The trees scrape the sky
We all scream ‘Look! There’s the bat!’
He zips past the van. 

Logan has won an amazing telescope from our 2021 Dark Skies Festival sponsors Celestron UK .
**New Event** Ranger Guided Dark Sky Walk with Exmoor Stargazers - 23 November
Join National Park Ranger Charlotte Wray and Exmoor Stargazers' astronomers to guide you through the star-filled skies (subject to weather!) on Tuesday 23rd November from North Hill Minehead to Bossington Beacon.

Photo: Jen Rogers
Dark Sky Discovery Trail - a new self-guided short walk
Keep an eye out for clear nights and take yourself on a mini dark sky adventure in the heart of Exmoor. Whatever the weather you'll find this an exhilarating experience surrounded by only the sights and sounds of Exmoor at night.
A small printed guide can be purchased for £1 from our National Park Centres on Online Shop.

Read more and watch the film here:
Events all year at our Exford
Dark Sky Discovery Hub
Local business Wild about Exmoor and Exford Bridge Tea Rooms have joined forces to offer a range of dark skies events and experiences throughout the year.
From guided telescope sessions, night hikes and sundowners sessions and indoor planetarium-style presentations every Tuesday, there's something for everyone and events are suitable for ages.
Email: info@wildaboutexmoor.com Phone: 07990521604
Some great Christmas gift ideas in our Exmoor Online Shop
You can now buy all sorts of books, equipment and gifts from Exmoor from our online shop.

Telescope Hire & Sales from our
National Park Centres
Did you know you can hire a Telescope from any of our National Park Centres (Dunster, Dulverton and Lynmouth) for just £25 a night?
Here is a short film to explain how to use them - they're easy to use and can be fun for all the family.
You can also buy a range of smaller Celestron telescopes, binoculars, star charts and star gazing guides to help you enjoy our dark skies.
Looking for somewhere to stay? Book with one of our accredited Dark Sky Friendly businesses
Holiday Accommodation businesses have been getting training on what to look for in the night sky and many have invested in telescope and binoculars to help guests make the most of Exmoor's dark skies during their stay in the National Park.

There 's a map and list of accredited businesses on our stargazing webpage:
An Astronomer's Guide to Exmoor
If you'd like to know more about our dark skies and some of the best viewing locations in the National Park then read the free downloadable Astronomer's Guide to Exmoor- it's available here www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/stargazing