Welcome to the latest edition of Exmoor ParkLife!

Keeping everyone up to date with National Park news and opportunities

New kits spell success for pine marten reintroduction on Exmoor

See the incredibly cute first pine marten kits on Exmoor!

A pioneering conservation project has released new evidence of its success in bringing the rare and endangered pine marten back to the South West of England.

Since their release, the pine martens have proved to be highly mobile, shy of people and difficult to see. But, video footage gathered by the Two Moors Pine Marten Project shows a female marten with four of its offspring, known as kits, as they explore an Exmoor woodland. This film clip is the first proof that pine martens released by the project are breeding on Exmoor

Exmoor kits caught on wildife cam

White-tailed eagles return to Exmoor National Park

The return of white-tailed eagles to England has also taken another step forward with the release of six young birds in Exmoor National Park, the first to be reintroduced here after they disappeared due to persecution over two hundred years ago.

The sea eagles have been reintroduced to Exmoor because they were once native but persecuted to extinction – there are even place names meaning eagle on Exmoor. They also offer huge ecological benefits to woodland, coastal and wetland ecosystems.

Whilst young eagles explore in their first few years they return to where they fledged to breed, so we need to release a small number of the birds here to result in even two breeding pairs (due to natural mortality in the wild).

White-tailed eagles first foray from the pens

Pay with Exmoor Care

Have you taken advantage of our pilot scheme for the summer - 'Pay with Exmoor Care'. It allows you to earn 20% off at Exmoor National Park Centres in Lynmouth, Dunster and Dulverton, with small acts that make a big impact.

It's as easy as 1,2,3!

1 Choose your activity

-Using public transport/cycling

-A 2 minute litter pick

-Recording your wildlife spots on iNaturalist

-Sharing messages promoting care for the National Park

2 Complete your activity

3 Claim your reward

(head to a National Park Centre with proof of your activity to get a 20% discount*)

Blue Tongue on Exmoor

Farmers across the UK are having a tough time dealing with blue tongue right now.

Sarah Eveleigh from our Farming in protected landscapes team, and a farmer herself, explains about more blue tongue in the video attached.

The Exmoor Hill Farming Network community network offers advice

and a 24/7 support line for farming families who may need someone to talk to.

You can call 03000 111 999 or 07970 795808 or contact the

Regional Support Officer Charmain Dascombe charmain.fcn@gmail.com

Farming in Protected Landscapes

Farming in Protected Landscapes is a programme of funding for one-off projects to support farmers and land managers. This supports sustainable farming businesses, diversification and nature recovery projects. It can help reduce flooding, lock up carbon and improve people’s access to Exmoor - it's open to all farmers and land managers within the National Park.

There's lots to do on Exmoor this Summer!

Join Exmoor National Park Rangers in the rockpools of Lynmouth to search for chitons, crabs, sea anemones and find out more about the amazing wildlife that lives on the seashore.

Meet at Lynmouth seafront 11 August 2026

11:00am - 1pm for rockpooling

Seashore activities will take place in the Lynmouth National Park Centre from 12pm to 2:30pm.

Water shoes or wellies encouraged. Nets, buckets and knowledge provided. Attendance is free but if you would like to donate to CareMoor for Exmoor you can do so at Lynmouth National Park Centre opposite.

Want to discover more about the wildlife around you?

Have you ever wondered what that beautiful wildflower, butterfly, insect or fungus is?

Join us for one of our iNaturalist for Absolute Beginners sessions at the Exmoor National Park Centre, Dunster, on Wednesday 12 August.

10.30am or 1.30pm

1½–2 hours

We'll help you download and set up the iNaturalist app on your smartphone and show you how easy it is to identify and record wildlife – from a Painted Lady butterfly to a Wood ant.

We'll then take a short walk around the grounds of Dunster Castle (weather permitting), so you can start making your own observations.

Suitable for adults and children aged 9+

Please bring:

A fully charged smartphone

Your app store password

The sessions are free, although donations to CareMoor for Exmoor are very welcome.

To book your place, please contact the Exmoor National Park Centre in Dunster on 01643 821835.

Ecology Activities for teenagers

Join Exmoor National Parkʼs Rangers to explore different habitats and take action to help nature! A Fantastic Summer work experience opportunity for 15-18 year olds!

Thursday 13 August: Water vole conservation at Driver near Simonsbath

Thursday 27 August: Woodland habitats at Haddon Hill

10 am - 3pm. Please bring suitable clothing for the weather, drinks and lunch.

Further details for the day will be sent after sign up.

Photo credit: Jonathan Ridley

For more events and news keep an eye on our social media!

Or visit our Exmoor events page

Working with us

We have several job opportunities and traineeships available now!

Find more info here

Find more info on supported internships for young people here

Be a part of team Exmoor and help create a:

Clear response to the nature and climate crises
Welcoming place for all, improving people’s health and wellbeing
Cared for landscape and heritage
Place with flourishing, vibrant communities, and businesses
Highly performing Estate, delivering National Park purposes
Great organisation to work for

Find out more about our aims and objectives in the Exmoor Management Plan and our Corporate plan.

Work experience

We were delighted to welcome two groups of year 10 students recently for some hands‑on work experience in conservation, heritage, public engagement and more.

A big thank you to the HR, woodland, ecology, heritage, learning and engagement officers who created a great programme of activities for the week.

Feedback about the experience...

"A massive THANK YOU to you and the rest of the team at Exmoor National Park for all your input and support towards the work experience week. My son found it very enriching and interesting. He learnt a lot and also found it very enjoyable. We loved hearing about it too, sounded really interesting. Well done!!"

“I really enjoyed my work experience week at Exmoor National Park as it taught us about all the different jobs employed at Exmoor and how they relate with each other. During the week I also learned about the diverse ecosystem that is present in Exmoor. My favourite part was doing the work at the excavation site as I learned about all the history of the land through the soil.”

Volunteering

Thank you to all the volunteers who joined our team a did a fantastic job on our Himalayan Balsam pulling day in Winsford along the river Exe, helping to remove highly invasive Himalayan Balsam along the river Exe.

Interested in volunteering - find out more here

Enjoying Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve

Exmoor set for spectacular skies as Perseids and partial eclipse arrive

Exmoor is one of the UK's darkest landscapes offers the perfect chance to catch a rare celestial double-bill: The peak of the Perseid meteor shower and a deep partial solar eclipse on Wednesday 12 August 2026

Ordinary sunglasses are not safe for eclipse viewing nor is looking directly at the Sun without certified solar viewing glasses or an appropriate solar viewer.

Solar Eclipse Glasses and observing Kits are available from National Park Centres in Dunster, Dulverton and Lynmouth to help people safely enjoy the eclipse, or you can find lots of useful information online on how to best enjoy the eclipse, including how to make a pinhole camera from ukeclipse.com

You can also hire telescopes from our centres for group gatherings viewing the Perseids meteor shower with friends or family. Meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, however, so no telescope is needed- just warm layers, patience and hopefully no clouds in our amazing dark skies!

Photo credit Keith Trueman

Shop Exmoor!

Discover the Spirit of Exmoor - Online!

Looking for a taste of Exmoor from the comfort of home? Our Exmoor National Park online shop is brimming with locally sourced gifts, quality outdoor gear, and one-of-a-kind keepsakes inspired by the stunning landscapes of Exmoor. Whether you're after a thoughtful present or something special for yourself, there’s something for everyone.

Support local makers – visit our online shop today and explore what’s on offer! 10 per cent discount for new customers!

NEW! The Complete Guide to the UK National Parks - Mike Appleton

£22.00

Buy Now

Boxed set of Exmoor Classic Walks

£10.00

Buy Now

NEW! The Official Exmoor National Park Calendar 2027

£7.99

Buy Now

Exmoor Tote Bag

£10.65

Buy Now

There are lots of way you can give of your time and skills to support organisations working across Exmoor. Find out more about volunteering.

Can you donate to help Keep Exmoor Special? Discover how CareMoor for Exmoor donations are supporting vital conservation and access work.

Annual Parking Permits

Buy an annual parking permit covering free use of Exmoor National Park Authority car parks at Ashcombe (Simonsbath), Exmoor House - Dulverton (weekends only), Haddon Hill, Tarr Steps and Valley of Rocks for 12 months. Just £65.

Buy your parking permit