Stargazing in Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve

Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve is rightly proud of being the first dark sky reserve in Europe. Much of the region is free from light pollution and rightly claims to have some of the darkest skies in the country.

Going stargazing in Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve will reward you with amazing views of the cosmos. The sky is filled with many more stars than you would normally see from a town or city. The glow of the Milky Way is easily spotted on dark moonless nights.

A number of campsites and accommodation providers across the region are Dark Sky Friendly and several Dark Sky Discovery Sites offer amazing places to stargaze.

The team at Exmoor National Park have put together this fantastic astronomer’s guide and includes lots of tips for stargazing in the region.

Stargazing events are arranged all year round including planetarium sessions and guided public stargazing sessions for groups or exclusive booking at Exmoor’s Dark Sky Discovery Hub at Exford.

Every October the National Park hosts a two-three week Dark Skies Festival of events at locations all over the moor. Telescopes can also be hired all year round from the National Park Centres at Dunster, Dulverton and Lynmouth.

Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve is well worth a visit!

Visit Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve official website



Stargazing events in Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve

  • Family Space Workshop and Stargazing at the Poltimore Inn Observatory

    Saturday 20th April 2024 from 16:00pm to 20:30pm

    The Poltimore Observatory and Inn, North Molton, EX36 3HR

    More info
  • Telescope Workshop and Stargazing at the Poltimore Inn Observatory

    Saturday 20th April 2024 from 16:00pm to 20:30pm

    The Poltimore Observatory and Inn, North Molton, EX36 3HR

    More info
  • Stargazing with Wild About Exmoor

    Friday 26th April 2024 from 18:00pm to 21:00pm

    Exford Bridge Tea Rooms, Exford, TA24 7PY

    More info
  • Telescope Workshop and Stargazing at the Poltimore Inn Observatory

    Saturday 18th May 2024 from 16:00pm to 20:30pm

    The Poltimore Observatory and Inn, North Molton, EX36 3HR

    More info
  • Stargazing at the Poltimore Inn Observatory

    Saturday 18th May 2024 from 18:00pm to 22:30pm

    The Poltimore Observatory and Inn, North Molton, EX36 3HR

    More info
  • Stargazing break at the Yarn Market Hotel – October 2024

    Friday 25th October 2024 from 18:00pm to Sunday 27th October 2024 15:00pm

    Yarn Market Hotel, Dunster, TA24 6SF

    More info

Stargazing locations in Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve

  • Bossington Beacon Car Park – Exmoor

    North Hill, Bossington, Somerset, TA24

    Go Stargazing Site

    More info
  • Brendon Common Car Park – Exmoor

    B3223 Simonsbath to Hillsford Bridge, Lynmouth, Devon, EX35

    Go Stargazing Site

    More info
  • Brendon Two Gates

    Brendon Two Gates, Simonsbath, Somerset, TA24

    Dark Sky Discovery Site

    More info
  • County Gate Car Park

    County Gate, Oare, Somerset, TA24

    Dark Sky Discovery Site

    More info
  • Dunkery & Horner Wood

    Exmoor National Park, North of Exford, Somerset, TA24

    Dark Sky Discovery Site

    More info
  • Dunkery Beacon

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

    Dark Sky Discovery Site

    More info
  • Exford Bridge Tea Rooms

    Chapel Street, Exford, Somerset, TA24 7PY

    Recommended Stargazing Site

    More info
  • Exford Car Park

    Chapel Street, Exford, Somerset, TA24 7PP, South West

    Go Stargazing Site

    More info
  • Exmoor Dark Sky Discovery Trail

    Wellshead Lane, Exford, Somerset, TA24

    Recommended Stargazing Site

    More info
  • Frogwell Lodge Car Park

    Exmoor National Park, West of Upton, Somerset, TA4

    Dark Sky Discovery Site

    More info

Stargazing accommodation in Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve

  • Simonsbath House Hotel

    Simonsbath, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 7SH, South West

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • Spindrift Barn – Exford

    Exford, Exmoor, Somerset, TA24 7LY

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • The Great House – Exmoor

    Timberscombe, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 7TQ

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • The Oval – Exmoor Character Cottages

    17 West Street, Dunster, Somerset, TA24 6SN

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • The Poltimore Observatory and Inn

    East Street, North Molton, Devon, EX36 3HR

    Observatory, Stay & Gaze

    More info