Dark Skies

Why Exmoor for Stargazing?

Exmoor was designated Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve in 2011, thanks to its exceptionally low light pollution and vast open horizons. On clear nights, thousands of stars are visible to the naked eye — a dazzling canopy that regularly includes the band of the Milky Way.

Each autumn the National Park celebrates the night with a programme of guided stargazing, night walks, talks, family activities and astrophotography sessions. Base yourself in Lynton & Lynmouth to combine dramatic coast-and-moor scenery by day with star-packed skies by night.

A purpose-made Dark Sky Discovery Trail offers a simple route onto open moorland with wide, low horizons — perfect for stargazing without complicated kit. Pack layers, a hat and gloves, and give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust before you start exploring the sky.

Take your Viewing Further!

You can hire telescopes from the National Park Centres — including the centre in Lynmouth — and head out to your favourite dark-sky spot for close-up views of star clusters, nebulae and planets when they’re in season. Staff can advise on equipment and getting started.

What you can see in October & November

Autumn on Exmoor is superb for bright constellations, rich star clusters and long, crisp nights. Here are headline targets that are typically well-placed in October–November evenings:

Milky Way (naked eye)

The luminous river of our galaxy arches overhead on darker, moonless nights.

Cassiopeia (“W” shape) & Cepheus

High in the north — great signposts for deep-sky targets.

Andromeda Galaxy (M31)

The nearest major galaxy, visible as a faint smudge to the naked eye; impressive through binoculars.

Great Square of Pegasus

A big, obvious landmark that helps you hop to Andromeda.

Perseus & the Double Cluster (h & χ Persei)

Two sparkling star swarms in one binocular field.

Triangulum & the Triangulum Galaxy (M33)

A challenge object on very dark, transparent nights.

Taurus: Aldebaran and the Hyades

V-shaped cluster; the Pleiades (M45) glitter like a tiny dipper and are stunning in binoculars.

Auriga: Capella

Blazing high with the clusters M36, M37, M38 in binocular reach.

Orion

Betelgeuse, Rigel and the Orion Nebula (M42) — a showpiece as winter approaches.

Meteors

The Orionids (late October) and Leonids (mid-November) offer occasional shooting stars, especially after midnight.

Satellites

Regular passes of the International Space Station and occasional Starlink trains may be visible — fast-moving “stars” gliding across the sky.

Good to Know

Dress for cold

It always feels cooler when you’re standing and looking up.

Let eyes dark-adapt

For at least 20 minutes; avoid bright screens and white torches.

A clear, moonless night

Is best for stargazing. Keep torches pointed down, use low light, ideally a dim red torch to preserve night vision, and shield any white light.

Binoculars

If you’re new to astronomy, binoculars are often the perfect first step: lightweight, wide-field and easy to share.

Dark Skies Festival Events

Find special events for stargazing and exploring the night skies of Exmoor.

Make Lynton & Lynmouth Your Base

Harbourside Lynmouth and clifftop Lynton put you on the doorstep of big skies in minutes. Spend your days exploring coast and moor, then wrap up warm, pour something hot, and step outside to a sky that still feels wild and wonderfully dark.