Telescopes for beginners | free mobile app

Dunkery Beacon

Dunkery Beacon

Exmoor National Park, North West of Wheddon Cross, Somerset, TA24

Best time to visit

Lay-by location listed as a great place to stargaze in Exmoor National Park, as mentioned in the Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve pocket guide.

Dunkery Beacon is a Dark Sky Discovery Site, an officially recognised place where anyone can stargaze. Most such locations have overnight parking (sometimes with a fee); however, many do not allow overnight camping. There may or may not be toilet facilities.

Weather forecast

  • 15/09/24

    12° 6%

  • 15/09/24

    11° 18%

  • 16/09/24

    12° 18%

  • 16/09/24

    12° 9%

Weather forecast for Dunkery Beacon (0.6 miles away) updated 15/09/24 at 12:00.

Local light pollution

Dunkery Beacon is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to adark site dark site location based on the latest data from the VIIRS satellite.

The above demonstrates the estimated effect of light pollution - graphics created using Stellarium.

Light pollution map of Dunkery Beacon

Best time to visit

The Moon has a big impact on the visibility of celestial bodies in the night sky. Try to plan your stargazing when there is no bright Moon at night as this is when the skies will be at their darkest.

The below chart shows when the skies will be at their darkest at this location and therefore the best time to visit. Moonlight is shown in light yellow and the Sun's twilight in light blue. Midnight on the date shown is shown as a white line with sunset to the left and sunrise the next morning to the right. A black background with stars shows the best times for stargazing. See our dark sky calendar for more details.

Moon phase on Sun 15th Sep

Sun 15th Sep

Waxing Gibbous
86 % illuminated
Dark from 03:05 to 04:39
Dark for 1h 34m
Moon phase on Mon 16th Sep

Mon 16th Sep

Waxing Gibbous
93 % illuminated
Dark from 04:37 to 04:40
Dark for 0h 3m
Moon phase on Tue 17th Sep

Tue 17th Sep

Full Moon
98 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Wed 18th Sep

Wed 18th Sep

Full Moon
100 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Thu 19th Sep

Thu 19th Sep

Full Moon
99 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Fri 20th Sep

Fri 20th Sep

Waning Gibbous
95 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Sat 21st Sep

Sat 21st Sep

Waning Gibbous
88 % illuminated
Dark from 19:26 to 04:49
Dark for 9h 22m

Find more dates

If you are planning to visit this location check our dark sky calendar to find out when is best!

Calendar

Forthcoming events

Below is a list of events at Dunkery Beacon. View these events on our calendar, add them to your calendar or Google Calendar.

  • Ranger Guided Stargazing Walk up Dunkery Beacon

    Thursday 31st October 2024 from 00:00am to 19:00pm

    Dunkery Beacon, North West of Wheddon Cross, TA24

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • Spindrift Barn – Exford

    Exford, Exmoor, Somerset, TA24 7LY (2.9 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Dunkery Beacon Country House

    Wooten Courtenay, Dunster, Somerset, TA24 8RH, South West (3.1 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • The Great House – Exmoor

    Timberscombe, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 7TQ (3.9 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Westerclose House Cottages

    Withypool, Exmoor, Somerset, TA24 7QR (4.3 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Westermill Farm – Exford

    Exford, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 7NJ (4.4 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • The Oval – Exmoor Character Cottages

    17 West Street, Dunster, Somerset, TA24 6SN (6.1 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info