Stargazing hub for Exford…..Events every week throughout the year!
There is no better place to stargaze than in Exmoor on a clear, moonless night, and if the moon is out then you can get some great views of her craters and mares, even just with a pair of binoculars.
Exmoor National Park have designated Exford Bridge tearooms together with Wildaboutexmoor to be a Dark Sky Discovery Hub, a centre for information and events, all about our wonderful skies.
If you want to know what you should be looking for on a particular night, then check out the tearooms noticeboard. We will update the information each month with current meteor showers, the visible planets and where to find them, and phases of the moon.
Also on the board will be any upcoming dark skies events on Exmoor, with contact details should you wish to join them.
We will be hosting regular dark skies events at the tearoom, with a planetarium presentation to show you around the sky in warmth and comfort with a delicious meal and full use of the bar.
Come and join us on a Thursday night from 7.00pm, all through the summer, for a barbecue and sociable starry information evening at the Hub. You will leave well equipped to enjoy Exmoor’s starry skies during your stay.
From October, we will start the evening at 6.00pm, with a good warming supper menu,to make the most of our dark nights.
£40 per adult, £20 under 16) (An optional night walk into the dark sky reserve will be available after your meal, weather permitting, priced at £5.00 per person, payable on the night )
Booking essential
Dark Skies Discovery Hub events
From March to September we will meet at The Hub in Exford at 7pm for our Summer barbecue menu, with a dessert and icecream followed by our planetarium and chat.
We will head outside to use our telescopes and discuss available apps on iphone, android and tablets. You can then join us on an optional walk out into the dark Skies area, this is a nominal extra £5 per person and can be as long or short as you wish, as it is an up and back. We will sit and enjoy the atmosphere so do bring warm clothes, hats and gloves if you are to enjoy the evening to the full. In peak summer the evenings are warmer but also lighter, so you may not see so many stars!
From October the Hub will be offering their winter stargazing evening menu, this will be a 3 course set menu home cooked supper to warm you up ready for a splendid evening’s stargazing in the centre of Exmoor’s Dark Skies Area. The Hub is fully licensed with a well stocked bar.
You will be welcomed to your table with homemade soup and a roll,
Main course will be a hearty supper dish such as shepherd’s pie, lasagne or sausage and mash with proper local butchers sausages.(Any dietary requirements can be catered for but please warn us at the time of booking so that we can adjust your meal accordingly.)
Enjoy dessert with the comfort of the woodburner whilst we start the planetarium presentation to guide you around the constellations and deep sky objects above our heads, regardless of the weather!
Tickets are priced at £40 per adult, £20 under 16) Booked in advance please, on info@wildaboutexmoor.com
£5 for the optional walk, to pay on the night
Exford is a great place to base yourself for a stargazing holiday.
- The Dark Skies Discovery Trail to Larkbarrow just up the road, lumenous signs guide you on an easy route into the darkest of skies area. Parking is in a layby just North of Exford, What Three Words reference notices.reworked.rebel. Map reference SS82754177
- Astrophotography courses with Peter Hendry at The White Horse Inn
- sheltered viewing area Dave and Michel Binks at Court Farm Cottages have a sheltered area for guests at their self catering cottages to set up your telescope.
- And of course wildaboutexmoor run night hikes and stargazing experiences throughout the year, with our luxury barn conversion allowing you to view the night sky from the comfort of your double bed!
