Dartmoor

Poldark on Dartmoor? Exeter author releases debut novel

Author, Celia Moore from Longdown has released her debut novel Fox Halt Farm which her friends have dubbed ‘Poldark on a Farm.’

Celia says that her new book is romantic and powerful. Set over two decades - with dramatic countryside as its backdrop, it is an emotive read with enthralling characters but it is set two hundred years after Poldark, in 1986. The author has a compelling series all mapped out for Fox Halt Farm, a dairy farm on the outskirts of Okehampton whose survival is constantly threatened.

The novel sees Billy Mays’s family struggling to keep their family farm...

Nun's Cross Path backed by Dartmoor Walking Festival

Following the success of Dartmoor Walking Festival 2017, Moorland Guides have generously donated £500 of the proceeds to the National Park's Donate for Dartmoor scheme.

The money will be used to carry out essential continuing repairs to Nun's Cross Path. The festival ran from Saturday 26 August to Sunday 3 September, with a programme packed full of events for all ages and capabilities.

Simon Dell, Director and Coordinator of Moorland Guides said: “The Dartmoor Walking Festival this year was another great success with over 1,000 people again taking part and it is clear that...

Moor Otters go to international homes as public arts project raises over £100k for Dartmoor National Park

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Sat, 10/14/2017 - 5:25pm

The Moor Otters public arts initiative has raised £126,850 for Dartmoor National Park, as a collection of life-sized otter statues painted in a variety of themes and colours have captured the hearts of thousands of visitors from around the world.

Launched in June 2017, the Moor Otters project positioned 101 otter sculptures in various locations across Dartmoor and surrounding towns, creating the Otter Spotter trail.

The public arts initiative aimed to raise £100,000 to support projects to conserve and enhance Dartmoor’s wildlife and landscape, improve accessibility to the...

Car park charges help conservation in Dartmoor National Park

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 10/09/2017 - 5:11pm

At its meeting on 6 October 2017 Dartmoor National Park Authority made the decision to implement charges for vehicle parking at Haytor, Postbridge, Meldon Reservoir and Newbridge car parks.

The decision follows a period of public consultation and Members of the Authority considered the feedback from this prior to making their decision.

The public consultation process showed that there are wide ranging views about the principle of having to pay to park within a National Park, but it is apparent that the public expect and are generally supportive of the concept of paying to...

Family fun at Meldon Wildlife Festival 2017

There is something for everyone at this summer’s Dartmoor Wildlife Festival which takes place at Meldon Old Quarry on Tuesday 15 August.

Discover more about a variety of Dartmoor creatures and their homes through a series of free drop in events and workshops. There is something for everyone with all ages catered for. Immerse yourself in stream dipping, butterfly walks, wildlife gardening or make your own wildlife homes to take away with you - just a small selection of the activities on offer.

Spend the day with us and our wildlife partners on 15 August. You can bring a...

Devon Contract Waste helps holiday park bridge the gap to Zero to Landfill

Exeter-based Devon Contract Waste has secured a new contract worth circa £3,000 per year with Harford Bridge Park Ltd of Tavistock. The innovative waste management company now provides a full Zero to Landfill waste management service for the award-winning camping and touring park set in Dartmoor National Park.

As a holder of the gold standard David Bellamy Conservation Award for 18 years, Harford Bridge Park has a long-running commitment to responsible waste management. Now, with the services of Devon Contract Waste, the family-run business could see up to 98% of its waste diverted...

New excavation at Dartmoor Medieval Manor

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Fri, 07/14/2017 - 12:35pm

This month archaeologists will be working with the local community in Widecombe in the Moor to try and uncover more of the secrets buried at the site of one of only four moated medieval manor houses in Devon.

North Hall Manor has, in recent years, been the subject of a series of archaeological excavations which have revealed much about this enigmatic site in Dartmoor National Park.

Archaeologists working with local community volunteers have unearthed imported pottery, pieces of glass and ridge tiles, indicating a high status building. Cobbled areas and sections of wall have...

Police and partners tackle Dartmoor driving offences

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 06/27/2017 - 12:49pm

On Saturday 24 June, a large scale Special Constabulary led policing operation took place on Dartmoor National Park to help combat the causes of fatal and serious injury collisions, to help promote road safety by delivering ‘The Honest Truth’ campaign, and to proactively disrupt criminality.

As part of the Operational Alliance with Dorset, Devon and Cornwall Police with support from Dartmoor National Park, Trading Standards, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue, and HMRC Road Fuels Team have conducted Operation Granite to combat the ‘fatal five’ which is excess speed, distraction,...

Countdown to the 11th Dartmoor Classic begins

The countdown to the eleventh annual Dartmoor Classic Sportive, which takes place on Sunday 02 July, is on, and organisers are looking forward to yet another successful event.

Up to 3,500 riders will participate, with entrants travelling from as far as Australia, Brazil, France, Portugal, Belgium, Switzerland, Netherlands, Bulgaria, the USA, Canada, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Spain, Italy and Ireland.

The riders will tackle one of three routes; the 35 mile piccolo route, the 68 mile medio route and the 107 mile grande route. The routes are designed...

Public behaviour ruins a great weekend on Dartmoor

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 06/20/2017 - 11:46am

The fantastic sunny weekend we have just experienced here in the south west has seen thousands of people enjoying the outdoors and all that it has to offer. But whilst this weather provides a welcome boost to the local economy, the selfish behaviour of some people can potentially put people’s lives at risk.

At Spitchwick and Deeper Marsh cattle grid gateways were blocked and vehicles were parked on narrow roads blocking access for farm vehicles and emergency vehicles. The situation was repeated right across the National Park at popular locations.

Bill Allen area Ranger,...

Pages