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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

  • 23/04/26

    16° 5%

  • 23/04/26

    16° 1%

  • 23/04/26

    15° 0%

  • 24/04/26

    12° 0%

Weather forecast for Lynton (8.4 miles away) updated 23/04/26 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 23rd Apr

Thu 23rd Apr

First Quarter
38 % illuminated
Dark from 02:33 to 03:37
Dark for 1h 4m
Moon phase on Fri 24th Apr

Fri 24th Apr

First Quarter
49 % illuminated
Dark from 02:54 to 03:35
Dark for 0h 41m
Moon phase on Sat 25th Apr

Sat 25th Apr

First Quarter
60 % illuminated
Dark from 03:10 to 03:32
Dark for 0h 22m
Moon phase on Sun 26th Apr

Sun 26th Apr

Waxing Gibbous
70 % illuminated
Dark from 03:23 to 03:30
Dark for 0h 7m
Moon phase on Mon 27th Apr

Mon 27th Apr

Waxing Gibbous
79 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Tue 28th Apr

Tue 28th Apr

Waxing Gibbous
87 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Wed 29th Apr

Wed 29th Apr

Waxing Gibbous
93 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS

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

  • Barry Astronomical Society meeting

    Monday 27th April 2026 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Cemetery Approach Community Centre, Barry, CF62 8BQ (24.2 miles away)

    More info

  • Stargazing at the Poltimore Inn Observatory with the Space Detectives

    Friday 1st May 2026 from 18:00pm to 22:00pm

    The Poltimore Observatory and Inn, North Molton, EX36 3HR (9.6 miles away)

    More info

  • Port Talbot Astronomical Society meeting

    Tuesday 5th May 2026 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Port Talbot Gas Welfare Club, Port Talbot, SA12 6BY (30.0 miles away)

    More info

  • North Devon Astronomical Society meeting

    Wednesday 6th May 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:00pm

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

    More info

  • Bridgend Astronomical Society meeting

    Wednesday 20th May 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Bridgend Tennis Club, Bridgend, CF31 3AZ (23.6 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