New exhibition celebrates Dartmoor 365 book

A new exhibition is running at the Dartmoor National Park Visitor Centre in Princetown, celebrating the popularity of John Hayward’s book ‘Dartmoor 365.'

Ever wondered what the Hairy Hands (K11) are?  What legends surround Crazywell Pool (P7) and Ephraim’s Pinch (K13)?  What do Swell Tor Quarry (N6) and London Bridge have in common?  This week sees the opening of the Dartmoor 365 exhibition in the Dartmoor National Park Centre in Princetown.  Showcasing ‘Dartmoor 365,’ John Hayward’s fourth book about Dartmoor - find out more about the joys of D365ing, and go on a family friendly exploration of some of the areas mentioned in the book.  Inside the book you will find a numbered blank grid of the 365 square miles of the moor followed by a page of fascinating information for each one of these squares.  A second blank grid is provided to allow you to shade in each square once it has been visited; a very satisfying experience after a day’s exploring!

D365ing is suitable for all ages and abilities as squares cover easily accessible villages such as North Bovey (square H17) as well as remote places such as Cranmere Pool (G9).  The intention is not that you do one a day over a period of a year but you take the time, possibly many years, to explore as widely as you can.

The exhibition, with contributions from the 365 Facebook Group, the Dartmoor Wheelchair Access Group and the Dartmoor Walking Festival, can be seen at the National Park Visitor Centre, Princetown until 2 October.

The 2018 Dartmoor Walking Festival, organised by the Moorland Guides, will be held from Saturday 25 August until Sunday 2 September. The Festival has teamed-up with the Dartmoor-365 Facebook group and the Dartmoor Wheelchair Access Group (WAGS) to provide a programme of great adventures for all in the National Park.

Moorland Guides and WAGS have devised events for the festival aimed at ramblers who use disability access vehicles such as scooters, Trampers and 4x4 wheelchairs as well as families with All Terrain push chairs.

Moorland Guides and wheeled guides, experienced in accessible rambling, will be leading accessible walks each day throughout the festival to help raise awareness that there really are many accessible places on the moor that can be enjoyed by all!

All of the Festival events will be labelled according to the grid in the Dartmoor 365 book by John Hayward which is enjoying a resurgence of popularity and is available at the National Park Visitor Centre.

In 2017 the Festival raised over £500 for the Donate to Dartmoor fund as well as the Dartmoor Search Dogs and this year it will be supporting the Devon Air Ambulance with a series of sponsored walks.

Dartmoor National Park is supporting the Festival with Ranger-led walks as well as archaeological visits and events. The Festival will have at least four events running each day, so there really is something for everybody, with evening talks and walks included.  Dartmoor Search and Rescue is also supporting the week and if you have ever wondered what they do out in the dark when searching for missing walkers then come and join them on an evening exercise to find out more!

See the exhibition in the National Park Visitor Centre, Princetown and keep an eye on the website at www.dartmoorwalkingfestival.co.uk