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Exmoor Dark Sky Discovery Trail

Exmoor Dark Sky Discovery Trail

Wellshead Lane, Exford, Somerset, TA24

Best time to visit

Opened in October 2021, the Exmoor Dark Sky Discovery Trail is at the very heart of the Exmoor National Park Dark Sky Reserve.

The trail offers a short route across open moorland to the ruins of an old farmstead. With low horizons in all directions and no single light to be seen, the views of the night sky are incredible. Parking is available for a handful of cars.

For more details, see the official Exmoor Dark Sky Discovery Trail website.

View from Exmoor Dark Sky Discovery Trail
View from the Exmoor Dark Sky Discovery Trail. Credit: Mother Goose / Exmoor National Park

Exmoor Dark Sky Discovery Trail has been recommended as a great place to stargaze by the local authority, national park, community organisation or property owner. May require payment for access or parking.

Location events organiser

Exmoor National Park

Exmoor National Park organises events at this location

Please contact Exmoor National Park directly with any enquiries relating to visiting this location

Email: [email protected]
Website: Exmoor National Park
Twitter: @exmoornp
Facebook: Exmoor National Park

Weather forecast

  • 11/06/26

    14° 57%

  • 11/06/26

    14° 13%

  • 11/06/26

    14° 18%

  • 12/06/26

    14° 56%

Weather forecast for Lynton (8.4 miles away) updated 11/06/26 at 12:01. Powered by Met Office data.

Local light pollution

Exmoor Dark Sky Discovery Trail is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to a dark site location based on the latest data from the VIIRS satellite. For more advanced light pollution data, view this location on DarkSkySites.

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

Light pollution map of Exmoor Dark Sky Discovery Trail

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 Thu 11th Jun

Thu 11th Jun

Waning Crescent
23 % illuminated
Dark from 22:26 to 01:32
Dark for 3h 5m
Moon phase on Fri 12th Jun

Fri 12th Jun

Waning Crescent
14 % illuminated
Dark from 22:27 to 01:58
Dark for 3h 30m
Moon phase on Sat 13th Jun

Sat 13th Jun

Waning Crescent
7 % illuminated
Dark from 22:28 to 02:00
Dark for 3h 31m
Moon phase on Sun 14th Jun

Sun 14th Jun

New Moon
2 % illuminated
Dark from 22:29 to 02:00
Dark for 3h 30m
Moon phase on Mon 15th Jun

Mon 15th Jun

New Moon
0 % illuminated
Dark from 22:30 to 02:00
Dark for 3h 29m
Moon phase on Tue 16th Jun

Tue 16th Jun

New Moon
1 % illuminated
Dark from 22:30 to 01:59
Dark for 3h 28m
Moon phase on Wed 17th Jun

Wed 17th Jun

Waxing Crescent
5 % illuminated
Dark from 22:59 to 01:59
Dark for 3h 0m

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

  • Bridgend Astronomical Society meeting

    Wednesday 17th June 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Bridgend Tennis Club, Bridgend, CF31 3AZ (23.6 miles away)

    More info

  • Stargazing at Triscombe Farm with the Space Detectives

    Saturday 20th June 2026 from 14:00pm to 18:00pm

    Triscombe Farm, Dunster, TA24 7HA (6.1 miles away)

    More info

  • North Devon Astronomical Society meeting

    Wednesday 1st July 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:00pm

    Sticklepath Methodist Church, Barnstaple, EX31 2DJ (18.7 miles away)

    More info

  • Stargazing Barbeque with Wild About Exmoor

    Thursday 2nd July 2026 from 19:00pm to 23:00pm

    Exford Bridge Tea Rooms, Exford, TA24 7PY (2.6 miles away)

    More info

  • Stargazing at Triscombe Farm with the Space Detectives

    Saturday 4th July 2026 from 14:00pm to 18:00pm

    Triscombe Farm, Dunster, TA24 7HA (6.1 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • Westermill Farm – Exford

    Exford, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 7NJ (1.4 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Westerclose House Cottages

    Withypool, Exmoor, Somerset, TA24 7QR (3.9 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Simonsbath House Hotel

    Simonsbath, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 7SH, South West (4.1 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Dunkery Beacon Country House

    Wootton Courtenay, Exmoor National Park, Somerset, TA24 8RH, South West (6.5 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • The Great House – Exmoor

    Timberscombe, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 7TQ (7.8 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Longmead House – Exmoor

    9 Longmead, Lynton, Devon, EX35 6DQ (8.5 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info