IT’S the last chance to book tickets for Exmoor’s Dark Skies Festival, which runs from October 16 to 31.

The events, aimed at all ages, have Covid-safe measures in place and limited numbers to ensure social distancing.

Katrina Munro, the Festival’s co-ordinator, said being able to hold the festival this year was a credit to businesses and national park staff.

A brand new event is an exclusive boat trip along the Exmoor coast with AlyKat Boat Charters (www.charterboats-uk.co.uk/alykat).

Skipper Dave Roberts said: “With luck we may have clear skies and pitch black conditions, giving the opportunity to see some awesome night time sky sightings.”

Astrophysicist and cosmologist Professor Roger Davies, from Oxford University, will be at several events. He will begiving a talk about galaxies at Horner Farm near Porlock where Exmoor beef casserole will be served, and at Torre Cider Farm, near Washford, he will be giving a talk about black holes.

Professor Davies is also delivering child-friendly talks about the planets and solar system at both venues.

A three-day rural retreat with luxury barn accommodation is being run at Heale Farm with a variety of well-being workshops. The farm is set in Parracombe with 23 acres of pasture and woodland and has grazing and access rights over a further 18 acres.

Visitors can book exclusive stargazing experiences with Wild About Exmoor or a Land Rover dusk safari with Exmoor Wildlife Safaris.

Stargazing breaks with expert speakers and guided outdoor sessions are being run by the Yarn Market Hotel in Dunster, Simonsbath House Hotel and Westerclose House at Withypool.

The rangers and staff of Exmoor National Park Authority are running a host of events for all ages at locations all over Exmoor – ranger-guided night walks at Lynton and outdoor family fun and stargazing with astronomer Jo Richardson at Wimbleball and Simonsbath.

For those not able to join in person, there are also a number of virtual events, including an online ranger-led workshop on bio-luminescence.

Katrina said: “We’ve recently given Dark Sky Friendly accreditation to a number of self-catering and B&B accommodation businesses around the moor who have undergone training in stargazing and understanding the importance of our dark skies.

“They can now help visitors make the most of their experience here at night, as well as in the day, and are perfect places to stay during the festival or at any time of the year”

This year’s festival competition is based on capturing Exmoor at night on camera. Four categories are open to photographers in both under 16s and adult classes, including deep-sky images or photos of Exmoor’s iconic wildlife or landmarks at night.

Visit www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/stargazing and www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/darkskiesfestival for details of thephotography competition and a list of Dark Sky Friendly accredited businesses.