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Dunkery & Horner Wood

Dunkery & Horner Wood

Exmoor National Park, North of Exford, 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 & Horner Wood 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

  • 01/05/24

    9° 65%

  • 01/05/24

    8° 90%

  • 02/05/24

    8° 91%

  • 02/05/24

    8° 93%

Weather forecast for Exford Youth Hostel (2.4 miles away) updated 30/04/24 at 20:00.

Local light pollution

Dunkery & Horner Wood 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 & Horner Wood

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 Wed 1st May

Wed 1st May

Third Quarter
55 % illuminated
Dark from 21:04 to 02:50
Dark for 5h 45m
Moon phase on Thu 2nd May

Thu 2nd May

Third Quarter
44 % illuminated
Dark from 21:06 to 03:08
Dark for 6h 1m
Moon phase on Fri 3rd May

Fri 3rd May

Third Quarter
33 % illuminated
Dark from 21:08 to 03:11
Dark for 6h 2m
Moon phase on Sat 4th May

Sat 4th May

Waning Crescent
23 % illuminated
Dark from 21:10 to 03:09
Dark for 5h 58m
Moon phase on Sun 5th May

Sun 5th May

Waning Crescent
14 % illuminated
Dark from 21:13 to 03:06
Dark for 5h 52m
Moon phase on Mon 6th May

Mon 6th May

Waning Crescent
6 % illuminated
Dark from 21:15 to 03:04
Dark for 5h 48m
Moon phase on Tue 7th May

Tue 7th May

New Moon
2 % illuminated
Dark from 21:17 to 03:02
Dark for 5h 44m

Find more dates

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

Calendar

Events nearby

Display nearby events on a calendar

  • Landscape Astrophotography Course

    Saturday 25th January 2025 from 13:00pm to 14:30pm

    Lynmouth National Park Centre, Lynmouth, EX35 6EQ (9.2 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • The Oval – Exmoor Character Cottages

    17 West Street, Dunster, Somerset, TA24 6SN (8.8 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Longmead House – Exmoor

    9 Longmead, Lynton, Devon, EX35 6DQ (9.5 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Holi Moli Beach Huts – Dunster

    Dunster Beach, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 6TH (9.6 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Shoulsbarrow Farm

    Exmoor National Park, Challacombe, Devon, EX31 4TS, South West (9.8 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Wimbleball Lake Campsite

    Wimbleball Lake, Dulverton, Somerset, TA22 9NU (10.0 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • The Poltimore Observatory and Inn

    East Street, North Molton, Devon, EX36 3HR (10.2 miles away)

    Observatory, Stay & Gaze

    More info