A night-time adventure on board open top bus the Exmoor Coaster with an expert astronomer is just one of the brand new experiences on offer at this year’s Exmoor Dark Skies Festival.

Also new this year is the chance to build confidence in walking at night, with a preview of the new Dark Sky Discovery Trail near Exford, to be launched later this autumn.

The two-mile route, with easy to follow glow-in-the-dark waymarkers, takes walkers on a night-time mini adventure over open moorland to experience 360-degree views at the heart of the national park’s dark sky zone.

It is one of several guided walks throughout the festival, which runs from October 22 to November 7.

Ranger Richard Eales, who is leading another new stargazing event at Haddon Hill, said: “With low light pollution and on a clear night, many thousands of stars will be visible.

“But it’s not just about the star-lit sky – being immersed in the sounds of Exmoor at night is part of the experience and can be thrilling in almost any weather.”

There will also be the festival’s first ever Dark Skies art exhibition at Lanacre Barn Gallery where a range of oil paintings, ink drawings, watercolours, woodcuts, mono prints and photographs will be on display – all inspired by Exmoor’s dark skies.

Exmoor’s uniquely dark skies were formally recognised by the International Dark Sky Association ten years ago, and the national park became Europe’s first Dark Sky Reserve.

Figures from the annual Star Count run by CPRE, the countryside charity, suggest that up to 92 per cent of Exmoor has pristine night skies, free from light pollution, and even the remaining areas are incredibly dark making it one of the best places in the country for stargazing.

Now in its fifth year, Exmoor Dark Skies Festival features nearly 50 events spread throughout the region to suit all ages and experience levels from beginners’ stargazing sessions to expert astronomy workshops.

There is also a Haiku writing competition for children with the best of the poems winning a telescope from manufacturer and festival nsore Calestron.

UK business development manager Paul Clarke said: “We are delighted to be supporting the national park to put on such an amazing range of astronomy events.

“At Celestron, we’re passionate about inspiring people to look up at the night sky and learn more about the objects they can see.”

Exford, in the heart of Exmoor, also now hosts the national park’s first ‘Dark Sky Discovery Hub’, a focal point for those wanting to experience the area’s dark skies. 

Jennie Wild, from Wild About Exmoor, who runs the hub with events throughout the year, said: “We can help visitors find constellations and with our telescopes we can also introduce the wonders of deep sky through planets, distant stars and galaxies.

“In addition to our weekly guided stargazing sessions, we run indoor presentations in Exford Bridge Tea Rooms using their new 50-inch screen and some amazing planetarium software. It enables people of all ages to learn about the night sky and is a lot of fun.”

Festival co-ordinator Katrina Munro said: “Those unable to visit Exmoor during the festival can still enjoy our online events.”

These include a webinar with Oxford University astrophysicist Professor Roger Davies, who will also be delivering a series of live family-friendly and expert talks at various venues. To follow on social media and be kept up to date, use #ExmoorDSF.

To celebrate the festival, Exmoor National Park Authority is offering a 20 per cent discount on astronomer Seb Jay’s book Exmoor Dark Skies from the new online shop www.shop.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk using code DARKSKIES20.

Printed copies of the full festival programme are available free from Dunster, Dulverton and Lynmouth National Park Centres and online at www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/darkskiesfestival.