BOOKINGS for the annual Exmoor Dark Skies Festival have exceeded expectations, prompting advice for people to act quickly to avoid disappointment if they want to take part.

The popular printed programme for this year’s festival is now available from National Park Centres and other information centres across the Greater Exmoor area.

Exmoor National Park Authority sustainable economy officer Katrina Munro said: “Events take place from October 13 to 29, but we highly recommend booking this month to avoid disappointment.

“Bookings have already started for the range of over 60 events.

“Visitors and residents love to have a good look through the printed programme, which is full of inspiring images of the dark skies over Exmoor.

“From an Exmoor Star Baker Competition to Singing under the Stars and a sponsored nine-mile Moonlit Walk for Exmoor around Wimbleball Lake, there are also more traditional events including planetarium sessions at Dunster and Tiverton, guided night walks, astronomy talks, and stargazing for all ages and abilities.”

Alan Boddington at the Poltimore Inn dark skies discovery hub on Exmoor.

This year’s festival is sponsored by Airband UK and includes several events at one of the National Park’s new Dark Sky Discovery Hubs, The Poltimore Inn, North Molton.

The authority’s rural enterprise manager Dan James said: “We are delighted to formally recognise the facilities and events on offer throughout the year at The Poltimore Inn.

“Not only do they have lodges with telescopes for hire, they also run regular events using their observatory hosted by astronomers Jo and Pete Richardson.”

The pub’s owner, Alan Boddington, himself a keen stargazer said: “Within the observatory, we have a permanently Polar and star aligned Meade LX200 12-inch telescope, a new era smart telescope in the Unistellar Ev-Scope, as well as numerous other manual telescopes and Skywatcher Dobsonian telescopes for beginners.

“It features an electronic roll off roof, a private outdoor decking observation area, as well as private amenities, plus tea and coffee making facilities.

“I have been a keen stargazer for many years and I am hoping that groups and individuals will come to visit the observatory and be inspired just as I was as a child.

“We use it for events but also welcome groups by arrangement.

“We also run short training courses in how to use our telescopes and hope that local people will be able to benefit, too.”

Work on building a stargazing hub close to the activity centre at Wimbleball Lake is also due to be completed in the next month.

Groups and individuals are being invited to sign up for a fund-raising nine-mile hike around the lake under a full moon on October 27.

Known as the Moonlit Walk for Exmoor, entry fees or sponsorship will be shared between three charities - CareMoor for Exmoor, Exmoor Search and Rescue, and South West Lakes Trust.

Ms Munro said: “This is a brand-new event for this year’s festival and we are excited to be able to work with Wimbleball Lake staff and Exmoor Search and Rescue Team to marshal this unique challenge.

“It will be a rewarding and exhilarating for everybody taking part and we expect groups may take three to four hours to walk the perimeter of the lake under the light of the moon.

“If the skies are clear, then the views and reflections across the water will be amazing, but even in the damp and mist, it will be a memorable experience and one which we hope will raise important funds for the three Exmoor-based charities.”

Information on all of the events can be found here.