Dark Skies Festival 6-22 September 2019
This year sees our first Dark Skies Festival, celebrating the dark skies and landscapes of the Norfolk Coast. A variety of events and activities across the area will allow us to discover the sights and sounds of the AONB after dark and appreciate how the lack of light pollution adds to the feeling of tranquility that makes the coast so special.
Find out more about our work on dark skies and Dark Sky Discovery Sites.
The following events and activities are scheduled for the festival fortnight. Contact the organiser directly to book your places. Make sure to revisit this page often as the list will be updated as September approaches.
Join in with the festival on Twitter @NorfolkAONB #Norfolkcoastdarkskies #darkcoastnorfolk #norfolkaonbdsf and let us know how you are helping to keep our coast beautifully dark.
If you would like to be involved or simply would like more information about the festival or the AONB Dark Skies project, contact Kate Dougan kate.dougan@norfolk.gov.uk
Festival events
Saturday 7th September
Celestial wonders under dark skies in Norfolk
A short illustrated guide followed by the chance to see some of these for yourselves through several telescopes at Saturn, Jupiter amd a 9 day old moon plus several deep sky objects. A free event sponsored
by Deepdale Backpackers and King's Lynn and District Astronomy Society.
Venue: Deepdale Backpackers Campsite, Burnham Deepdale. Time: 7.00 - 10.00pm. Booking essential: To book a place and more information contact John Craythorne on 01945 701038 or Alan Gosling on 01553 774394
Please note this event is weather dependent, dress appropriately for the conditions
Saturday 7th September
Stargazing at Kelling Heath Dark Sky Discovery Site
Introduction to basic astronomy, followed by a walk to the Dark Sky Discovery Site, laser constellation tour and telescope viewing. A free event sponsored by Kelling Heath Holiday Park and North Norfolk Astronomy
Society.
Venue: Kelling Heath Holiday Park. Time: From 8pm. Booking essential: Call Kelling Heath Reception on 01263 588181. Please note that this event is weather dependent, dress appropriately for the conditions.
Tuesday 10th September
Creatures of the Night
Come and see what we have found in our moth and mammal traps which we set each night as part of our ongoing survey work at Natural Surroundings. Kate Dougan from the AONB will be here to talk about the importance of Dark Skies.
From 10.00am. Free entry. Please dress appropriately for outdoor conditions.
Natural Surroundings, Bayfield Estate, Glandford, Nr Holt. NR25 7JN. Email: wildlife@naturalsurroundings.info.
Tuesday 10th September
Wild at Night
Walk through the reserve with bat boxes, looking for moths and other wildlife that comes out in the dusk/
evening
Venue: RSPB Titchwell Marsh. Time: 7-9pm
Cost: Adults £10, Child £5 with discounts for RSPB members. Booking essential: Contact the RSPB Titchwell Reserve titchwell@rspb.org.uk or 01485 210779
Please dress appropriately for the conditions.
Wednesday 11th September
Norfolk Wildlife Trust Cley Visitor Centre evening stroll and BBQ
A glorious way to end your day. Enjoy an evening exploring the reserve followed by a barbecue on the
terrace, which offers fantastic views across the marsh.
Venue: Cley Visitor Centre. Time: 6:30-9pm
Cost: £10 NWT members, £12 non-members. Booking essential: 01263 740008
Please dress appropriately for the conditions
Saturday 14th September
Norfolk Wildlife Trust Bats at Cley-next-the-Sea
James Goldsmith leads this evening exploring the bats that live in the UK, how to identify different species, where they live, and discusses their conservation status. You will then head to St Margaret's Church in Cley where infrared imaging equipment will help you see the bat population living there.
Venue: Meet at Cley Marshes Visitor Centre (short drive to church after theory session-own transport required). Time: 5.30-9pm
Cost: £16 NWT members, £19 non-members. Booking essential: 01263 740008
Saturday 14th September
An Introduction to the art of night walking with Dixe Wills Spend the evening discovering the AONB at night on a fascinating night walk with author and travel writer
Dixe Wills. Starting at Blakeney, this 7 mile night walk will take you on a round trip to Wiveton Downs Dark
Sky Discovery Site then back to Blakeney and across the Blakeney Freshes embankment. Along the way you
will discover night walking, the joys of being outside in moonlight and starlight (and occasionally Venuslight
and Marslight), the sights, sounds and smells of the dark. You will also receive handy tips on basic navigation at night using the stars as well as dos/don'ts for staying safe while walking at night.
Time: 7.30-11.30pm
Cost: £10 per person, participants must be at least 16 years old and capable of easily walking 7 miles,
in the dark over uneven terrain. Booking essential: Contact the Norfolk Coast Partnership on 01328 850530 or aonb@norfolk.gov.uk
Wear sturdy shoes and dress appropriately for the weather conditions. Bring refreshments.
Tuesday 17th September
Creatures of the Night
Come and see what we have found in our moth and mammal traps which we set each night as part of our ongoing survey work at Natural Surroundings. Kate Dougan from the AONB will be here to talk about the importance of Dark Skies.
From 10.00am. Free entry. Please dress appropriately for outdoor conditions.
Natural Surroundings, Bayfield Estate, Glandford, Nr Holt. NR25 7JN. Email: wildlife@naturalsurroundings.info.
Wednesday 18th September
Splendours of the dark skies of the Norfolk Coast
An opportunity to discover the celestial wonders of our night skies - a free event organised by King's Lynn and District Astronomy Society.
Venue: Barrow Common, Common Lane, Brancaster. Meet at Brancaster Staithe car park at 7.30pm.
Time: 7.30-10.00pm. Booking essential: Contact John Craythorne on 01945 701038 or Alan Gosling on 01553 77439.
Please note this event is weather dependent, dress appropriately for the conditions.
Friday 20th September
Snapshot of the skies
Mini walk through the reserve looking for moths and other wildlife that comes out in the dusk/evening
followed by introduction to astro-photography with the King's Lynn and District Astronomy Society.
Venue: RSPB Titchwell Marsh. Time: 7.00-9.00pm
Cost: Adults £10, Child £5 with discounts for RSPB members. Booking essential: Contact the RSPB Titchwell Reserve titchwell@rspb.org.uk or 01485 210779
Please dress appropriately for the conditions.