“Dark skies” return to famous United Kingdom park

Special events at regional and national parks featuring stargazing parties, astrophotography, and celebrations of night skies are increasingly popular escapes at managed protected areas. Now, managers of one of the United Kingdom’s most popular national parks are gearing up to hold a massive nighttime park event.

The Exmoor National Park Authority says it’s now accepting bookings for visitors wishing to attend the Exmoor Dark Skies Festival. The event will be held from October 13-29.

For two weeks, Exmoor’s managers will stage more than 60 events at the park after dark. The events will educate visitors on the park’s wildlife and geography, but special emphasis will be placed on the park’s “International Dark Sky Reserve” designation. Exmoor is the first park in Europe to earn that title.

Located at about a three-and-a-half-hour drive west of London, the event will give city dwellers a chance to escape the light pollution of that metropolis and witness the all-too-rare site of a star-filled sky.

Organizers say that attendees can enjoy nighttime yoga, nighttime bike rides, a “mobile planetarium”, and more pastimes among the dozens of separate events. They’re even planning a baking competition, a nod to the popular Great British Baking Show, only to be held past daylight hours.

Participants will also have the opportunity to challenge themselves to a guideless two-mike hike through the park.

“The Dark Sky Discovery Trail is a self-led 2-mile walk under the darkest skies and is a real adventure at any time of year with 360-degree views and virtually free from light pollution,” event organizers said in a press release. At other hikes, astronomers will be on hand to help point out key celestial attractions, they added.

Now in its seventh year, the Exmoor Dark Skies Festival is becoming so popular that organizers recommend that anyone interested sign up for events plenty in advance. “Events are always popular with many selling out in advance, so early booking is advised for the range of indoor and outdoor events taking place all around Exmoor,” said Exmoor National Park Authority official Katrina Munro.

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