Dark Sky Festival 15th to the 21st February 2016

The Yorkshire Dales National Park and North York Moors National Park have joined forces to put on a fantastic Dark Sky Festival with 30 events in 13 different locations.  Which means its a great time to visit the area.

Festival programme - Yorkshire Dales National Park
Monday 1 February to Sunday 20 March
National Park Event: A Celebration of Dark Skies Exhibition
10:00 to 17:00
Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes DL8 3NT (SD876898)
An exhibition of stunning photographs, with additional artwork from local primary schools (Hawes, Reeth and Gunnerside, Arkengarthdale, Bainbridge, Askrigg, West Burton)
Adult £4.50, conc  £4, child free (must be accompanied) or upgrade to an annual pass for admission to the Museum all year round £9.00.

Saturday 13 to Sunday 21 February
National Park Event: Dark Skies Children's Activity Trail
10:00 to 16:00
Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre, Leyburn, DL8 3TH (SE012888)
Themed woodland trail for kids all week - 50p per trail sheet.
 
Monday 15 February
National Park Event: Searching for ET
19:00
Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes DL8 3NT (SD876898)
An evening talk by astronomer Richard Darn. Booking advised. Adult £5, child free (must be accompanied).
 
Monday 15 February
Introductory Evening Caving Trip
17:00 to 20:00
Join Yorkshire Dales Guides at Selside near Horton in Ribblesdale to explore the Dales underground. Caving oversuits, helmets, lights, belts, wellies, and all safety gear is supplied. Minimum age 8. Booking essential - £25.
01729 824455
[email protected]
www.yorkshiredalesguides.co.uk
 
Tuesday 16 February
Dark Sky Run
18.30
Meet Swaledale Outdoors, Reeth, DL11 6TD
A free 3 mile guided trail run. Wrap up warm as we will be stopping to look through telescopes if the night is clear. Bring off-road running shoes, waterproof jacket, hats and gloves (obligatory), plus a head torch if you have one. Minimum age 14 (under 16s must be accompanied).
Contact Swaledale Outdoors for more information.
 
Open Telescope Session
18:30
Reeth Village Green
If the evening is clear, join Reeth Informal Astronomy group for a look through their telescopes. These amateur astronomers will be able to introduce you to the wonders of stargazing and give you tips on how to get started.
 
Wednesday 17 February
National Park Event: Star Crafts
11:00 to 16:00
Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes DL8 3NT (SD876898)
Free themed drop in activities and crafts - build a scale model of the solar system using just a toilet roll and some fruit!
 
Wednesday 17 February
National Park Event: Stellar Kites
11:00 to 16:00
Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes DL8 3NT (SD876898)
Drop in and make you own star-themed kite - it might even glow in the dark! £3 per kite.
 
Wednesday 17 February
National Park Event: Rocket Workshop
11:00/14:00
Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes DL8 3NT (SD876898)
Learn about rockets - then make one you can launch - at our free workshops at 11am and 2pm. Bring an empty  1 litre plastic fizzy drink bottleor buy one from us for £1.
 
Wednesday 17 February
National Park Event: Cosmos Planetarium
10:30 to 17:00
Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes DL8 3NT (SD876898)
A state of the art, multimedia experience. Shows last 30 to 40 minutes: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 14:30, 15:30. Adult £4.50, conc  £4, child free (must be accompanied) or upgrade to an annual pass for admission to the Museum all year round £9.00. Booking advised.
 
Wednesday 17 February
National Park Event: James Green’s 7 Wonders of the Universe
Time 12.30
Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes
James is a physicist with 30 years experience in the nuclear and electronics industries and a keen amateur astronomer.  He spends all of his spare time looking up and marvelling at what is out there in the night sky!
Join him on an amazing voyage of discovery as he counts down his seven favourite wonders of the universe.  In this fun and informative talk, James will discuss everything from the secrets scientists have unlocked in starlight to amazing astronomical coincidences and much more.  For further information or to book, contact T: 01969 666210 or E: [email protected]
 
Wednesday 17 February
Guided Night Hike
18:30
Meet at Askrigg village cross, DL8 3HL
Join Askrigg Camping for an out of this world, stargazing experience! They will be laying on hot chocolate and will be joined by local stargazing experts, who'll guide us around the amazing dark skies above. Please bring along a torch, binoculars and a small piece of red cellophane if you have it. Booking essential. Free event - donations to Swaledale Mountain Rescue welcomed.
Contact Heather 01969 650106 www.askrigg-camping.co.uk
 
Thursday 18 February
Night at the Museum
17:00 to 19:00
Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes DL8 3NT (SD876898)
Discover the museum by torchlight, search out clues and enjoy spooky storytelling. Includes hot drink and snack. Children only - £5.  Booking Essential
 
Thursday 18 February
Dark Sky Guided Night Ride & Exposure Light Demo
Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes DL8 3NT (SD876898)
18:00
A 2 to 3 hour bike ride exploring Wether Fell and surrounding areas with Stage 1 Cycles. Great opportunities to view the dark skies of Wensleydale from up on high. Participants must have intermediate level/experience of off-road riding, a good level of fitness and be 18 or over. Specialist MTB Exposure Lights available to use. Booking essential - £10 (hire bikes available for an additional charge). Contact Stage One cycles for further information and to book. 01969 650074.
 
Friday 19 February
National Park Event: Torchlit Woodland Walk & Open Telescope Session
18:00 to 19:30
Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre and Freeholders’ Wood, DL8 3TH (SE012888)
Bring a torch and make it more dark sky friendly, or make a lantern and explore Freeholders’ Wood by torchlight. Search out planets, stars and other things that come out at night. Adult £3, child £2 (includes hot drink, cake and free parking).
 
Saturday 20 February
Drama after Dark Photo Walk
17:30 to 19:00
Meet Gordale Bridge, Gordale Lane, Malham, BD23 4DL (SD 912 634)
Join Yorkshire Photo Walks on an exciting evening walk to Janet’s Foss in Malham. Discover how to make the invisible visible through the magic of photography and learn how to use your camera effectively after dark. £22.
07717 213604
[email protected]
www.yorkshirephotowalks.com