MORE than 2,500 people took part in this year’s Exmoor Dark Skies Festival, which saw more than 60 events staged during its 17 days.

It was the seventh year of the festival, which again provided opportunities for people of all ages to learn more about what to see in the night sky, as well as learning about space and light pollution, and the negative effects it can have on wildlife and humans.

This year’s programme also featured events promoting wellbeing, including night yoga sessions.

Exmoor National Park Authority’s Katrina Munro, who organised the festival, said: “I have been organising the annual festival since 2017 and it is always a pleasure to add new events to the busy programme.

“We make sure there are events for younger and older children as well as family events, and astronomy presentations aimed more at adults.

“This year as well as new yoga and singing events, it was amazing to see around 40 dark skies inspired cakes entered into the brand new Star Baker competition.

“Guided walks with rangers and astronomy guides are always popular and this year around 100 walkers joined national park ranger Tim Parish and other staff on a guided walk up Dunkery Beacon.

“Nearly 700 people learned more about space and the night sky in the Space Odyssey planetarium sessions at Tiverton and Dunster.

“Children and adults are always amazed by this immersive 360-degree experience.

“The national park joined forces with Exmoor Search and Rescue and South West Lakes Trust for a brand new challenge event where participants walked the nine-mile perimeter of Wimbleball Lake under the full moon.

“It was a great success and there was a real buzz of excitement and achievement welcoming the 60 walkers back at base with a campfire and warming Miles hot chocolate.”

Sarah Eden, from Airband, which sponsored the 2023 festival, said: “Airband was delighted to sponsor this year’s dark skies festival.

“It was lovely to see the wonders of the skies over Exmoor celebrated across the many events.

“Our sales team leader Tony Watkins attended the planetarium sessions at Petroc College, Tiverton, and he was delighted to see so many people come out, young and old, to learn about space in a great setting.

“Airband believes that even the deepest, darkest places deserve better broadband.”

National park rural enterprise manager Dan James said: “We have some of the darkest skies in the country and are proud of the designation we received back in 2011 as Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve.

“Our dark skies are now considered as one of the national park’s special qualities that we conserve and celebrate.

“Tourism plays a major role in Exmoor’s economy and the festival helps to attract visitors in late October.

“Our research shows that 25 per cent are attracted by our designation as a dark sky reserve, with 15 per cent of people who come to Exmoor participating in stargazing.

“It is no wonder, on a clear night thousands of stars are visible to the naked eye.

“Festival-goers were treated to clear skies during many of this year’s events and the experience of seeing the detail of the moon, Jupiter, and the rings around Saturn through a telescope are memories that will last a lifetime.

“There will be plenty of opportunity in the coming winter months to look up and study the sky and we encourage everybody to wrap up warm and go outside to enjoy the darkness.”

More information on enjoying Exmoor’s dark skies throughout the year can be found here.