Hannah Durdin of Moorland Guides shares one of her favourite family friendly walks, from Shipley Bridge to Avon Dam. This walk offers an easy route to follow, some gorgeous paddling spots & the best of #Dartmoor with temperate rainforest & wide open moor. dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/five-accessi...

Huge thanks to Samantha Pertherick, who has just completed a Yorkshire 2 Peaks challenge to raise money for our Moor Boots access grant scheme. She hiked 17+ miles and climbed 3,767ft, all with Storm Dave fast approaching. It's not too late to donate! www.justgiving.com/page/samanth... #moorboots

An interesting behind the scenes perspective from Paul Harris of Glavind Strachan Photography, who photographed our depiction of St Gudula for the Dartmoor Tors Festival. He delves into the complex and contrasting history of this local (or not so local) saint. glavindstrachan.com/blog/st-gudu...

By reconnecting with local customs, by invoking #Dartmoor rivers as beings with agency and presence, the Dartmoor Tors Festival invites both locals and visitors to enter a deeper relationship with the national park. #holywell #welldressing #mayday dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/ancient-holy...

With the long weekend ahead, it's the perfect time to plan a walk on #Dartmoor. We've teamed up with Dartmoor Partner and Moorland Guides to share 5 easy, #family friendly and accessible #walks that are sure to please all ages. #familywalks #easywalks #shortwalk visitdartmoor.co.uk/five-easy-an...

#Dartmoor #Tinworking Research Group extend an invite to their Parish Day on Sat 25th April. There will be #lectures in the morning, coffee, #exhibitions, bookstall, and an afternoon #walk to explore New Vitifer Consols and Bushdown Mine, which are in the vicinity of the Warren House Inn.

The DPA would like to extend huge thanks to all the volunteers, musicians and guests that make #Ugfest happen and we are very grateful to have been chosen as one of the charities to benefit from the 2025 #festival. dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/ugfest-raise... #moorboots #accessforall

We're supporting the #Dartmoor Tors #Festival as lead partner for 2026, which includes playing a part in the closing parade. This celebrates community, culture and life giving water, symbolized by the dressing of St. Gudula's healing well in #Ashburton. www.theprsd.co.uk/2026/04/01/g...

Episode 3 in the new 'Inside Britain's National Parks' series focuses on Dartmoor, shining a spotlight on the numerous ways that people connect with the landscape and work to protect it. Look out for an appearance from our Comms Officer, Helen. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis... #Dartmoor #conservation

13 walkers joined our Chairman John Howell for a 4.5 mile short walk, in association with the Ramblers, using the Dartmoor Way and exploring the mining remains in the Walkham Valley. Find more upcoming free walks here: dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/walks-on-dar... #shortwalks #Dartmoor #guidedwalks

We're delighted to be working with Moorland Guides to support a not for profit #retreat in a beautiful setting for those who are involved in #ecological #activism, either directly or through their creative work. www.moorlandguides.co.uk/wild-words-d... #wildwords #creativechangemakers #Dartmoor

Our dedicated #Volunteers have been working to clear invasive bracken from #archeological features at the Hound Tor 2 site for 4 years now, meaning that their efforts are beginning to have an impact on regrowth rates. dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/uncovering-b... #Dartmoor #HoundTor #MedievalVillage

Last week, DPA #Conservation #Volunteers were joined by volunteers from Babcock International for the final leat workday of the spring. A huge amount was achieved, with nearly 400m of Drake's Leat being cleared of bramble, bracken and invasive gorse. dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/huge-length-...

DPA #Conservation #Volunteer, and writer, Roz Brady shares her experience of caring for the land at Pudsham Meadows in her new guest blog. During February, volunteers have been clearing invasive species and #hedgelaying to improve habitat for wildlife. dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/guest-blog-t...

Do you have an idea for a project which will promote inclusive #access on #Dartmoor? As a result of the successful legal battle for the right to backpack camp on Dartmoor the DPA is setting up a Public Access Fund to return money to as many grass-roots initiatives as possible. Apply online now.

West Devon Borough Council is creating a new Cultural Framework & Strategy to guide how #culture, creativity & #heritage are supported. #Dartmoor sits in this Borough & is a nationally important hub of culture and #community traditions. Have your say in the survey: forms.office.com/pages/respon...

For 2026, we're sponsoring the Ellwood Classic #Drystone #Walling Competition, which will be held near Princetown. It's fantastic to bring this to #Dartmoor & acknowledge the importance of this traditional rural skill, which has contributed so much to the iconic appearance of the local landscape.

#Sharpitor is a very special spot on #Dartmoor, with fascinating #archaeology, rare lichens and unique #geology. It is accessible today due to the ongoing work of the DPA, and our refreshed Land Management plan seeks to preserve it for the future. dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/incredible-l...

The Community Planning Alliance are holding a National Day of Action on 18th of April, before local elections, to demonstrate, visibly & collectively, that people everywhere care deeply about the natural world and want to see it protected & restored. communityplanningalliance.org/events-calen...

DPA #Conservation #Volunteers returned to High House Waste, working to clear invasive gorse from the mire & path close to the Oliver Sayer gate. Oliver was one of the twin sons of Lady Sylvia Sayer, & he shared his mother’s passion for defending #Dartmoor. dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/clearing-the...

We joined our friends Moor Trees for a #volunteer tree planting day at Prince Hall, with the aim of bulking out and diversifying pockets of aging beech #woodland. Saplings planted included: oak, hazel, hawthorn, alder buckthorn, birch and rowan. dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/tree-plantin...

A packed festival programme for the Dartmoor Tors Festival has now been released, with a number of events which are free to attend. The DPA are delighted to support the festival as lead sponsor for 2026 & look forward to seeing many members & allies there. dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/mayday-revel...

Hear from wildlife conservationist Dr Ruth Tingay, who has worked in the field of raptor research and conservation for more than 30 years. Ruth now focuses on campaigning against the illegal killing of birds of prey in the UK. www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la... @friendsofthedales.bsky.social

@campaignerkate.bsky.social has written an excellent article on recent DPA conservation work, carried out by our #volunteers on her land at Common Wood. Work here is aimed at improving habitat for rare #fritillary #butterflies. campaignerkate.wordpress.com/2026/02/24/m...

Beyond our own land holdings, the DPA operate a dedicated #conservation plan for a number of sites of ecological and historical importance across Dartmoor. Hound Tor #Mediaeval village offers fascinating insights into the #farming practices of the past. dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/conservation...

There is current discussion about imposing a visitor levy on short-term holiday accommodation in the UK. Should this come into force the DPA are clear that protected landscapes must not be overlooked in plans for a visitor accommodation levy. www.cnp.org.uk/news/coaliti... #vistorlevy #Dartmoor

Local #Government Reorganisation is happening in #Devon, Plymouth and Torbay. Consultation is open now, until the 26th of March, and it's vital that the views of those who live and work in #Dartmoor are represented in the responses. Have your say: www.gov.uk/government/c...

Since saving 50 acres of #Dartmoor, where the Rivers Strane & Swincombe meet, the DPA has devoted itself to nurturing the health of the #mires and open #moorland. For 2026 and beyond we're pleased to announce refreshed land management plans for the site. dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/preserving-s...

DPA #Conservation #Volunteers visit Common Wood, clearing gorse & scrub to make sure light can get in to the sunny slope which provides a breeding ground for rare Pearl Bordered & Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary #butterflies. dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/common-wood-... @savebutterflies.bsky.social

We have a bold vision for biodiversity on our land at Pudsham Meadows. In 2026 and beyond we will enlarge the #meadows, make them more herb rich, improve scrub graduation and boost conditions for #butterflies. #Volunteer workdays run throughout the year. dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/marvellous-m...

The DPA state strongly that there can be no reduction in the statutory, legal protections for National Parks and National Landscapes. Our allies @campaign4parks.bsky.social reveal that the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce’s recommendations are not based on evidence. www.cnp.org.uk/news/pm-weig...

The DPA are proud to offer a broad variety of #volunteering opportunities, with workdays happening across our land holdings on weekdays and weekends. Our most recent workday at Pudsham Meadows focused on removing bramble patches, #Molinia tussocks & scrub. dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/meadow-impro...

Huge thanks to John Bainbridge for sharing our article on Land Management at Pudsham Meadows on his Country ways blog. It's brilliant to have support in sharing our work, and conservation plans for the future, with our community. countryways569333284.wordpress.com/2026/02/07/m... #Dartmoor #meadow

Could you take part in a study investigating exposure to tick-borne diseases on Dartmoor? Drop in opportunities are available in Postbridge, Brentor, Throwleigh and South Brent this February. Any questions or for more information please email: [email protected] #lymedisease #Dartmoor

'Volunteering here is more than clearing gorse – it’s participation in guardianship, a chance to connect with the land’s stories and to contribute to a living legacy.' - Daniel Moonen shares his experience #volunteering with the DPA at High House Waste. www.nhbs.com/blog/conserv... #conservation

After days of rain, our Conservation #Volunteers were delighted to be back out on the land, clearing the historic Drake’s Leat. Winter #conservation work focuses on clearing gorse and bramble from the sides of the channel, lessening chance of collapse. dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/gorse-cleara...

Pudsham Meadows is a marvellous example of flower rich grassland. 2320 orchids were counted in 2025, including the rare Greater Butterfly Orchid. For 2026, we have refreshed our land management plans for the site, aiming to make it even more species rich. dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/marvellous-m...

A Year on Dartmoor is a wildlife documentary by Ben Silverwood, filmed over a year in Dartmoor National Park. From winter storms and biting winds to the quieter abundance of spring and summer, the film explores life on one of Britain’s most iconic landscapes. www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

We're pleased to share bold & refreshed #ecological land management plans for our land at High House Waste. This land was purchased on behalf of the DPA in 1964, to save it from inappropriate afforestation, and we've looked after it ever since. Read more: dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/ecological-l...

We've now awarded 138 Moor Boots grants to young people. These small grants will enable them to purchase appropriate boots and waterproofs that will stand up to the demands of training for Ten Tors. Moor Boots grant applications are still open: dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/access-suppo... #TenTors

Join Detective Inspector Mark Harrison of the UK National #Wildlife #Crime Unit for insight into the real-world challenges of protecting vulnerable and endangered birds of prey in North Yorkshire. Online talk: 27 Jan 5:30-7:00pm www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la... @friendsofthedales.bsky.social

Winter workdays are in full swing and our fantastic team of DPA #Conservation #Volunteers have been busy on various sites. On Wednesday 14th January the team made their yearly winter visit to Roborough Common, accompanied by @savebutterflies.bsky.social. dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/butterfly-co...

The Hound of the Baskervilles wasn't the only tale of Arthur Conan Doyle's to be influenced by Dartmoor. Delve deeper into Conan Doyle's lesser known #Dartmoor stories with this examination of 'The Winning Shot' by DPA Trustee William Fell MBE: dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/cona-doyles-...

DPA Conservation Volunteer, and Ecological Composer, Roz Brady writes about her experience helping to care for the ponies visiting our land at Pudsham. These native ponies have been doing #conservation grazing as part of our long term land management plan. dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/guest-blog-t...

The 1st of January 2026 marked the centenary of landmark legislation which, for the first time, created a right to walk and ride on significant areas of common land in town and country. This law was largely thanks to our friends the Open Spaces Society. dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/centenary-of...

If you haven't read our brilliant Wild Words #magazine yet, perhaps now is the time! It features over 50 atmospheric, exciting and inspiring pieces of #writing inspired by #Dartmoor and written by people who love this special landscape. dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/wild-words/ Image: David Bates

Here's 'Inside the Snow' by Chris Gilchrist, delightfully read by Jan Gayton, who has her own writing featured in our Wild Words magazine also. #wildwords #Dartmoor #poetry #poem www.youtube.com/shorts/T-43R...

An intrepid group of walkers joined DPA Chairman, John Howell, for a Winter #Solstice walk to Merrivale on Sunday the 21st of December. Many Bronze Age stone rows and circles are thought to interact with the rising or setting sun on the solstices. dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/winter-solst...

Enjoy 'Venford Falls' by Susan Taylor, read by Bill Brealey. This #poem, recorded as part of our Wild Word pairings, features a video of Venford falls and transports the listener to #Dartmoor for a few minutes of wonder. Discover more on the DPA YouTube channel. www.youtube.com/shorts/8_2Ba...