Star-studded stay at The Swan for Dark Skies Festival

We’re offering star gazers the chance to stay during Exmoor’s first Dark Skies Festival from October 19 to 29 this year (2017).

Being located on the Devon side of Exmoor we offer easy access to some of the key astronomical events taking place in the National Park during the festival.

Exmoor National Park is Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve. It’s a brilliant place to stargaze whether you own a telescope or not as the lack of light pollution on the moor means there’s plenty to be seen with the naked eye. We’re delighted to be supporting this star-studded event, which will raise invaluable awareness of this part of the world and the beauty of the night sky.

We all spend so much time looking down these days with all the technology linked to our daily lives and there is something wonderful about switching off from the outside world for an hour or so, and just looking up for once and contemplating the universe.

Exmoor’s international dark sky designation means it is one of the best places in the country for stargazing, as it has very little light pollution and is often cloud-free. Fewer than 10% of residents in the UK can see a natural night sky with stars above them, according to the Campaign for Dark Skies.
Lots of events have been organised in the area for the Exmoor Dark Skies Festival such as Dusk Safaris with Barle Valley Safaris out at Exford, Dulverton Town Hall is hosting planetarium afternoon and evening sessions and Webbers Post has a Big Adventure Day for all the family with National Park Rangers and Exmoor Stargazers with their Solar Telescope Experience during half-term week on Wednesday, October 25*.

So, any guests staying with us can book up and join in with these as they wish or they could just go and do some of their own free-range stargazing.

Some of the events being organised during Exmoor Dark Skies Festival:

Saturday, October 21 – Depart Exford 5.30pm
Dusk Safari by Barle Valley Safaris

Monday, October 23 -  Lynton Town Hall
Planetarium - Afternoon and evening sessions

Tuesday, October 24 – Dulverton Town Hall
Planetarium – afternoon & evening sessions

Tuesday, October 24 – Depart Exford 5.30pm
Dusk Safari by Barle Valley Safaris

Wednesday, October 25 – Webbers Post
Big Adventure Day with National Park Rangers and Exmoor Stargazers with their Solar Telescope Experience

Wednesday, October 25 – 7pm - Webbers Post
Big Adventure Stargazing Talk & Evening with Astronomer Seb Jay & Exmoor Stargazers

Thursday, October 26 – Depart Exford 5.30pm
Dusk Safari by Barle Valley Safaris.

Photos by www.davidgriffen.co.uk