Stargazing on Exmoor: Our Space in Space Night Sky Experience at The Poltimore Inn

On a clear Exmoor night the high moor opens into an ocean of stars. Our Space in Space brings that sky within reach. Located near North Molton on Exmoor in England, this four-hour evening program meets at The Poltimore Inn and hands the darkness to expert astronomers who guide guests through planets, constellations, and the Milky Way. The event centers on an observatory tour and telescope viewing that takes advantage of Exmoor’s International Dark Sky Reserve status, so the sky is the star attraction. Expect a mix of hands-on and narrative: laser-guided sky tours point out faint constellations above peat and heather; telescopes resolve craters on the Moon and cloud bands on Jupiter; VR and virtual-sky talks bring poor-weather nights to life. Small-group instruction (typically capped at 20) means questions are encouraged; you’ll hear how atmospheric seeing affects views, what makes Exmoor’s granite tors and open moorland ideal for long uninterrupted horizons, and where light pollution is kept deliberately low. Why this experience stands out is practical as well as poetic. It’s one thing to read about the Milky Way; it’s another to track it with a seasoned astronomer beside a properly collimated scope, then step back and see the same ridge of stars across unlit moorland. The Poltimore Inn serves as a convenient meeting point and local anchor, making the night sky accessible without a long trek or complicated gear. This bookable outing is family-friendly (minimum age nine), educational, and adaptable - organizers pivot to virtual displays if clouds roll in. Bring binoculars for quick scanning and a jacket for the wind that channels down the valleys. Photography opportunities are excellent: long exposures reveal substructures in the core of the Milky Way; telescope eyepieces yield tight planetary views. For travelers based in North Molton or nearby Exmoor villages, this is a low-effort, high-reward way to make the most of dark skies that drew the International Dark Sky Reserve designation in 2011. Whether you’re curious about planets, eager to get serious about astrophotography, or just want to watch a meteor streak above open moorland, Our Space in Space marries local landscape with cosmos-level wonder while remaining practical, instructive, and deeply anchored in place. Spaces fill fast, particularly on clear nights and during meteor showers, so book early and note the tour’s 72-hour cancellation policy. The typical group cap of 20 keeps viewing time generous and questions personal. Visitors should carry a headlamp with a red filter, thermals for late-night chill, and patience - seeing faint nebulae depends on sky conditions and alchemy of steady air. For educators and families this program doubles as a practical primer on observational astronomy and a rare chance to watch the universe unfold over one of England’s darkest landscapes.