RESIDENTS and visitors to Exmoor can look forward to the Exmoor Dark Skies Festival which returns this autumn.

The festival not only celebrates the unique charm of Exmoor’s dark skies, but also marks the National Park’s 70th Anniversary.

Exmoor Day, which commemorates the day Exmoor was officially designated as a National Park, falls on Saturday, October 19, at the start of the dark skies festival.

The festival features a diverse range of events that highlight the incredible importance of our night skies for wildlife, human health, and their sheer beauty.

There’s something for everyone, including wildlife walks, dark skies talks, and an Exmoor feast, along with the ever-popular planetarium shows. People who join the Exmoor dark skies festival can experience the magic of the night sky and the fantastic events happening across Exmoor during the festival.

In 2011, Exmoor National Park became the first area in Europe to be recognised as a dark sky reserve by Dark Sky International. This designation helps the park to protect the exceptionally dark night skies.

For stargazing, people can visit any of the more remote parts of the National Park. However, who need specific recommendations and a map can download a free copy of 'An Astronomer’s Guide to Exmoor' from the parks stargazing webpage: www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/stargazing.

Those interested in a short, self-guided night walk with panoramic views of the Exmoor night sky can try the dark sky discovery trail near Exford. Regardless of the weather, it promises to be a mini adventure suitable for all the family.

People can read more and watch a film about it at https://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/exmoor-for-everyone/walking/darksky, or visit the national park centres, where a printed guide can be bbought for £1.

The festival runs between October 18 to November 3.