Dark Side Of The Moor

Exmoor Is Home To Some Of The Darkest Night Skies In Europe. A Festival This Month Aims To Get People Gazing Up In Wonder, As Chrissy Harris Discovers.

- Chrissy Harris

Visitors to Exmoor will know that the views are out of this world. But it’s not just the daytime scenery that takes your breath away. The national park became Europe’s first international dark sky reserve in 2011 and provides stargazers with the chance to see the cosmos in all its glory.

Free from the light pollution affecting towns and cities, Exmoor’s blanket of darkness means you can easily spot the glow of the Milky Way on moonless nights.

“It’s about as good as it gets anywhere in the UK,” says Tim Wetherell, president of the Exmoor Stargazers Club. “The advantage Exmoor has is that it’s further south than many other dark sky reserves and that makes a difference in terms of what you can spot. The nearer to the equator you get, the more stars you can see.”

Like many, Tim will have his telescope at the ready this month.

Exmoor Dark Skies Festival has been organised by the national park authority to celebrate the area’s incredible night vision.

From 14 October to 3 November, you can take part in everything from starlit walks to mountain bike rides, wild swimming, astrophotography, meteor spotting and rocket making.