A HOST of night-time activities have been announced as the popular Dark Skies Fringe Festival returns to the Yorkshire Dales and Moors this half term.

The event returns to both National Parks from October 22 to 31 after the success of the first autumn fringe festival last year.

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Within the North York Moors National Park, visitors will be able to enjoy a programme of events, including some online, from stargazing safaris, guided night walks and astrophotography evenings.

There also be zip wire adventures and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s Light Spectacular steam train to enjoy.

Stargazing and walking evenings will reveal the night-time splendour at natural beauty spots such as Mallyan Spout waterfall, Sutton Bank and the Wainstones sandstone crags.

Historic landmarks like the abbeys at Rievaulx, Byland and Whitby and Gilling Castle near Ampleforth will also act as stunning backdrops to events.

Perennial favourites return such as the twilight zip wire experience at Dalby Forest, a smuggler’s walk at Robin Hood’s Bay, together with mindfulness meanders and night navigation hikes at various locations are also included in this year’s line-up.

For youngsters, there are also daytime activities at Sutton Bank and The Moors National Park Centre at Danby.

For the full programme visit darkskiesnationalparks.org

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