THE first Exmoor Dark Skies Festival will have more than 25 events for families and children, as well as those more experienced in watching the stars.

It takes place from October 19 to 29 but festival co-ordinator Katrina Munro, of Exmoor National Park Authority, said interest has already been high including international enquiries.

At the start of the festival, celebrating the national park’s status as Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve, over 500 schoolchildren will be descending on Exmoor to learn about the night skies.

Astronomer, journalist and presenter Will Gater will be at the launch, which will include the first public showing of a new film about Exmoor’s Dark Skies.

This will be followed by a talk about viewing the stars and Milky Way from Exmoor as well as rarer phenomena such as the Northern Lights, which people might not think they could see or photograph from so far south.

Other indoor events include an astro-photography talk, a special film showing of 2001: Space Odyssey and art displays as well as several planetarium sessions all around Exmoor.

The planetarium offers inspirational and immersive 360 degree experiences of the solar system. 3D digital projections are created using sophisticated computer simulations, presented by an experienced astronomer, to take viewers deep into the wonders of space.

For families there will be an ‘astro party’ at Wimbleball Lake with hands-on sessions and virtual reality experiences as well as traditional stargazing and a night time forest walk and campfire.

For the more adventurous, there is night-time mountain biking, a night swim or a night-navigation walk with a national park ranger.

Other outdoor activities include dusk safaris and a guided night walk up to Dunkery Beacon – the highest point on Exmoor.

“This is the first festival of its kind on Exmoor and we’re looking forward to introducing many people to the wonders above!” said Katrina.

The festival is sponsored by Airband, which over the last two years has worked closely with Exmoor park authority on the roll-out of superfast broadband.

Online booking is now open, with early bird discount until September 15, and the printed festival programme can be collected from National Park Centres. For details visit the Exmoor National Park website and its ‘dark skies festival’ link.