Exmoor Dark Skies Festival goes ahead this October

16th October 2020

This year’s Exmoor Dark Skies Festival is going ahead as planned with all the individual events being fully risk assessed and with the necessary Covid-19 measures in place. All the events must be pre-booked with the appropriate event organiser, many are held by the Exmoor National Park, but others are hosted by local events. You can find the information for each host and venue below.

The dark skies events for this year’s festival are as follows

Dusk Safaris with Exmoor Wildlife Safaris - Various dates by prior arrangement

Exclusive Land Rover safaris with a very experienced wildlife safari guide. Safari tours last approximately 2.5 hours and there is a fixed total fee of £175 for a family group or bubble of up to seven passengers. Whether you choose to book for 1 or the maximum of 7 passengers - you'll have a great experience. For dates please call 07977571494 or email exmoorwildlifesafaris@gmail.com 

Night Walk, Stargazing and (optional) Pub Supper with 'Wild About Exmoor' - 16th, 17th, 18th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 24th October - check with Wild about Exmoor for up to date availability

Meet your hosts for an informative evening of stargazing with knowledgeable astronomer Jennie Wild. Price for Stargazing experience: £18 adults, £10 children. Advance booking through Wild About Exmoor essential. Call 01643 831759 www.wildaboutexmoor.com or email info@wildaboutexmoor.com for more information.

Friday 16th October - 4.30pm Family Stars and Planets at Horner Farm, near Porlock Bring your family to enjoy a session learning about the Solar System and Planets with Professor Roger Davies, an eminent astrophysicist and cosmologist from Oxford University. 4.30pm - 5.30pm, the price is £24 per table to ensure social distancing.**FULLY BOOKED 

Friday 16th October - 6.45pm From Galaxies to Life - Talk and Supper at Horner Farm, near Porlock Join us for an evening with Professor Roger Davies, an eminent astrophysicist and cosmologist from Oxford University. The venue is within a traditional barn being undercover but it is advisable to dress warmly for the weather. Due to Covid restrictions we are only able to take bookings from groups of a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 6 people. If you are wishing to attend as a single ticket holder please contact us to discuss. **FULLY BOOKED

Friday 16th October - Sunday 18th October - Heale under the Stars Retreat at Heale Farm, Parracombe With spectacular views of the sea and moors, Heale Farm is set in 23 acres of pasture, woodland and has grazing and access rights over a further 18 acres of rugged Exmoor land. For full details, retreat programme and prices for this 3 day rural retreat with luxury barn accommodation visit www.healefarm.co.uk 

Saturday 17th October - Bossington Beacon Ranger Guided Walk and Stargazing - FULLY BOOKED Join a National Park Ranger on a guided walk to learn more about the area and the stars in this fantastic location on the north coast of Exmoor.

Sunday 18th October - 5-6pm Solar System Talk and Stargazing Family Event at Torre Cider Farm, Washford ** Last few spaces Explore the Solar System and discover the many shapes of galaxies with Professor Roger Davies of Oxford University. A family friendly, interactive talk under cover followed by an opportunity to star-gaze in our beautiful orchard, weather permitting. Tickets £5 each, with space strictly limited to 30 people. Call 01984 640004 or email info@torrecider.co.uk 

Sunday 18th October - 7-8pm Adult only Talk (Galaxies & Black Holes) and Stargazing at Torre Cider Farm, Washford Explore the relationship between galaxies and black holes with Professor Roger Davies, the President of the European Astronomical Society, who currently teaches at Oxford University. Tickets £5 each, with space strictly limited to 30 people. This event will be Covid compliant. Call 01984 640004 or email info@torrecider.co.uk **FULLY BOOKED**

Sunday 18th-21st October - Book a 3 night Stargazing and Walking Break at Simonsbath House Hotel at Simonsbath 01643 831259

Monday 19^th to Wednesday 21^st October - A fantastic 2 night stargazing break with expert talks and stargazing guidance at the Yarn Market Hotel, Dunster. This is an additional themed break as the hotel's stargazing break  on 23-25th is now fully booked. www.yarnmarkethotel.co.uk http://www.yarnmarkethotel.co.uk/pdfs/Star-Gazing-Flyer-2020.pdf

Monday 19th October - 6.30pm Stargazing, Supper &Talk from Astronomer Terry Evans of Exmoor Stargazers, Westerclose House, Withypool. ** FULLY BOOKED** 

Monday 19th October  and Tuesday 20th October,  Dark Skies Adventure by Boat from Minehead with AlyKat Charter Boats departing from Minehead at 7.30pm These 2 hour boat trips will be for a maximum of 8 persons of the same group.  Total cost £150. Contact Dave Roberts on 07764 150648 or email alykatcharters@aol.com for more information and to book.

Thursday 22nd October  -  Heale Stars & Nature Evening at Heale Farm, Parracombe Walk, sit, gaze & graze!. Visit www.healefarm.co.uk 

Thursday 22nd October - Autumn Feast under the Stars at Horner Farm Near Porlock Enjoy a safe socially-distanced supper in the beautiful surroundings of our working Exmoor farm. www.horner-farm.co.uk/events

Friday 23rd October 8.30pm -  Online Event -  A Beginners Tour of the Night Sky (part of Devon Dark Skies Week) Join a journey through the stars brought to you by the Norman Lockyer Observatory in East Devon.

Friday 23rd October 7pm -  Stargazing at Torre Cider Farm,Washford Stargaze out on our ridge from 7pm to 10pm: bring your own telescope/binoculars or just your plain old eyes. This is a free event but donations to CareMoor for Exmoor will be invited and you must reserve your space. Enquiries or to reserve your free space please email Hellen at info@torrecider.co.uk

Friday 23rd October 6pm - Ranger Guided Walk up Hollerday Hill, Lynton  Numbers limited to 25. Walk lasts 1.5 -2 hours depending on weather and visibility. £5 Adults £3 children. Booking here. ENPA event. FULLY BOOKED

Saturday 24th October 11am - YouTube Premiere of a short film - Children's Book reading and Craft activity by author Peta Rainford - The film will premiere at 11am on 24th but will remain available using the same link. The book is available to buy from our National Park Centres.

Sunday 25th October - 6pm Online Event - Beginners' Guide to Astrophotography with Tom Pinches (an event for Devon Dark Skies Week). Details and booking here

Monday 26th October - 11am Online Family Workshop - 'In the Night Sky' - an on-line family workshop by astronomer Jo Richardson (an event for Devon Dark Skies week)  All details and booking here

Monday 26th October 6pm Online Webinar ‘What is Lighting?’ with Bonnie Brooks Do you know the difference between a lumen and lux? Do you know how LEDs work differently to Halogen bulbs? This event is part of Devon Dark Skies Week.

Tuesday 27th October 12pm Online Webinar ‘Embracing Nature and Darkness to Inspire Creativity and Improve Wellbeing’ with Tiffany Francis-Baker  Many of us are familiar with exploring nature during daylight, going on walks, birdwatching and insect hunting but the nocturnal landscape can offer us unique experiences too.

Tuesday 27th October  -  Heale Stars & Nature Evening at Heale Farm, Parracombe Walk, sit, gaze & graze! Visit www.healefarm.co.uk Enquiries and booking: 01598 763813 hello@healefarm.co.uk

Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th October - 5-6.30pm Wildlife at Night at Exmoor Pony Centre, Nr. Dulverton Meet the ponies and staff for a presentation and walk around the site as dark falls and the bats and owls venture out. Warming hot chocolate included! £4 adults, £3 children Limited numbers so book ASAP. Phone 01398 323093 or email info@exmoorponycentre.org.uk

Wednesday 28th October 7pm Nightfall Nature Walk at Nettlecombe Field Studies Centre

Night-time in the woodlands is just as bustling as in the day. Join our spooky leader for a nightfall nature walk to see for yourself! Most suitable for families with children between 7 – 12, but open to all.£5-£10.  Book here

Thursday 29th October -6pm - Online Webinar - What future for Dark Skies? - with Bob Mizon from the Commission for Dark Skies (an event for Devon Dark Skies Week).  Details and booking here

Thursday 29th October 7.30pm - Online Event - Exmoor By Bioluminescence. Join National Park Ranger Patrick Watts-Mabbott and the Exmoor volunteers for a one-hour live virtual event on one of the wonders of nature. Register here

Friday 30th October  - 4.30-6.30pm Astro Adventure at Wimbleball Lake Activity Centre on the south eastern edge of Exmoor. Be part of a small group to enjoy a guided walk with a National Park Ranger as the sun goes down and the full moon rises. Enquiries to Katrina on KJMunro@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk . **FULLY BOOKED**   Booking and details here 

Friday 30th October  - 7.30-9.30pm Moonlit Adventure at Wimbleball Lake Activity Centre on the south eastern edge of Exmoor. Be part of a small group to enjoy a guided walk with a National Park Ranger under a moon-lit and starry sky. 7.30-9.30pm. ENPA event  Enquiries to Katrina on KJMunro@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk .   **FULLY BOOKED** Booking and details here

Saturday 31st October 10am Free On-line Family Space Workshop with Astronomer Jo Richardson from Space Detectives A link will be added here soon to sign up for this free event provided by Exmoor National Park Authority. There will be free resources to download before the event. What better way to finish your half term. Enquiries to Katrina on KJMunro@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk .

Dunkery Beacon Country House Hotel at Wootton Courtenay is ideally located for a spot of stargazing with far reaching views. Book a stay in the boutique accommodation and the chef proprietor John Bradley who is a keen amateur astronomer will be delighted to assist you with spotting constellations and planets with the naked eye or using his telescope.  Email info@dunkerybeaconaccommodation.co.uk www.dunkerybeaconaccommodation.co.uk

Exmoor Character Cottages have some great accommodation breaks lined up during the festival which include a night with astronomer Tim Wetherell from Exmoor Stargazers. Read more here.

Heale Farm near Parracombe has luxury barn accommodation and has also arranged a 3-day dark skies retreat and separate dark skies evenings (see above). Read more at www.healefarm.co.uk

Festival Organiser - If you'd like to know more about the festival in general or events then please contact the specific event organiser or Katrina Munro on 01398 322236 or email Katrina on  KJMunro@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk