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Key Exmoor 2016 stargazing events for novice astronomers.

Opportunities on Exmoor for novice stargazers to build experience?         2016 Exmoor Stargazing Calendar Event Comment December 2015,    February 2016    April 2016 International Space Station in Exmoor evening sky British astronaut, Tim Peake goes to ISS mid December. Early/Mid January    Early/Mid February Winter Milky Way  Exceptional from Exmoor. March Jupiter in evening sky Very accessible.  Jupiter […]

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West Withy Farm telescopes at Dunster by Candlelight

Again this year, the West Withy Farm telescopes will be with Seb Jay at Dunster by Candlelight.  In 2014, the moon dominated the night sky for Candlelight, illuminating Dunster Castle and thrilling over 500 Candlelight visitors who took the opportunity to look at the moon through the two telescopes set up in Dunster Village Garden. For 2015, Seb […]

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Wildlife at Exmoor self catering cottages.

Lorena saw the kingfisher again today.  Soon, we will be able to claim it as the West Withy Farm kingfisher.  She was working down by the lake on a new lake-side planting scheme – and there it was.  When Lorena told me about her sighting, I said – ‘Did you take another photograph of the kingfisher?’  Lorena said […]

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Evening shower wows Exmoor self catering cottage guests.

It sometimes rains on Exmoor, but on 12 August, the evening showers were of the Perseid Meteor variety.  Seb Jay of Dark Sky Telescope Hire and author of Exmoor Dark Skies wowed guests staying in the self catering cottages at West Withy Farm with sights from a blazing evening display.  He explained the bright flashes […]

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Seb Jay gives stargazing ‘skytour’ for Exmoor, self catering cottage guests.

Seb Jay of Dark Sky Telescope Hire and author of Exmoor Dark Skies gave a stargazing skytour for guests staying in the self-catering, holiday cottages at West Withy Farm on Exmoor last night.  Guests began at 10pm. by viewing the moon though Seb’s telescope.  This was followed by a tour of Saturn in the southwest sky using the telescope’s […]

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Roughmeasures takes a Digital Detox.

Roughmeasures stayed at West Withy Farm on a Digital Detox weekend.  The silence here, the darkness, the birdsong and wildlife, all make this a perfect location to escape #socialmedia and offer #timetologoff You can read about Roughmeasures expriences here and on #Exmoor in her blog. And then sample the very healthy recipes on the roughmeasures […]

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West Withy Farm – sky at dusk

Preparations for Stargazing. The Bosman family from The Netherlands stayed with us in July 2017. They kindly shared this photo taken at dusk, as they prepared for an evening’s stargazing. One hour later, with all lights off, the summer Exmoor night sky was revealed in all its glory. Already clearly visible is the summer milky […]

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UK Gastropub awards 2017

@Top50Gastropubs Exmoor pubs were celebrating yesterday in London when the winners of the UK Gastropubs of the Year were announced. Three of our favourite local pubs finished in the @Top50Gastropubs. All three feature in our list of our favourite local eateries for our guests to try when staying in our cottages. See our recommendations at […]

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The Quirky Traveller visits Exmoor

Zoe Dawes, The Quirky Traveller visited Exmoor in early December 2016 staying in Upton Cottage, West Withy Farm for her 2 day visit. It was an action packed trip including a sky tour with Seb Jay of Dark Sky Telescope Hire, a meal in Woods in Dulverton, trips to Lynmouth and Dunster by Candlelight. Over […]

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