Exmoor National Park has been designated an International Dark Sky Reserve, the first place in Europe to achieve this prestigious award and only the second in the world.

Exmoor has long been recognised as having dark night skies, a valued attribute of the rural character and tranquility of the area. 

Exmoor National Park is home to some of the darkest skies in the country so it's a great place to gaze at the stars. Good spots are Holdstone Hill, County Gate, Brendon Two Gates, Webbers Post, Anstey Gate, Haddon Hill and Wimbleball Lake.

On a clear night the night sky of Exmoor is simply stunning when many astronomical sights can be seen through the naked eye and even more can be discovered through a telescope or binoculars.

The British Astronomical Association and the Royal Astronomical Society have both supported the bid with funding and local astronomy groups have also provided their support and knowledge. UK astronomer Steve Owens, chair of the IDA's Dark Sky Places Development Committee who has advised Exmoor National Park throughout the development process said: "I'm over the moon that the IDA saw fit to recognize the amazing night-sky preservation work done within Exmoor National Park by designating them Europe's first International Dark Sky Reserve. Exmoor National Park now joins a select group of places around the world - including Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park in Scotland and the Channel Island of Sark, a Dark Sky Community - which have stunning night skies, and now have lighting controls in place to make sure that man-made light doesn't spoil that view in future. The designation will hopefully attract stargazers from around the world, and astrotourism will become another staple attraction to Exmoor."