Welcome to the latest edition of
Exmoor ParkLife!
Keeping everyone with an interest in the National Park
up to date with the latest news and opportunities
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Driver Restoration Project Update
Within the area of the old royal forest is one of the farms that was built in the 1800s, which is now owned by Exmoor National Park Authority. Driver was built in 1847 and has survived very much unchanged since then. The land around the farmstead stretches away from soft valley meadows up on to the bleak blanket bogs of the Chains at 487 metres (just under 1,600 feet) above sea level. Also, within the land holding is Pinkery, our outdoor education centre, where 2500 school children experience the outdoors each year.
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As part of our 'Exmoor Pioneers' project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and CareMoor for Exmoor we’re making a range of improvements to our Driver site (like repairing the very dilapidated East Barn) and starting work on nature projects and activities for 2025.
We're making sure we look after the owls and bats as we we do it, as our Senior heritage officer Tom explains in the video below.
Read more on Driver here
| Driver - Video on the East Barn restoration | |
Exmoor Draft Partnership Plan - Have your say
Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) has set out draft ambitions on how it intends to collaborate with partners, people and organisations to help secure a positive future for Exmoor. Watch more in this short video below.
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Following an extensive survey of your views, evidence gathering on the state of Exmoor’s 'special qualities' and workshops with delivery partners, the draft Plan is now open for public consultation before it’s formally adopted by the National Park Authority in Summer 2025.
Find out more here
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Ada Lovelace Project Volunteers | |
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Thank you to the brilliant volunteers, who came along to help with a project to reveal and restore the historic woodland landscape developed by Ada Lovelace and her husband William King in the late 1830s and 1840s.
Ranger Phil briefed everyone on the safe use of tools and working on challenging sloping ground. In a three hour session, the volunteers helped to cut back foliage like holly and rhododendron at a site near Porlock just off the South West Coast Path.
Read more on volunteering opportunities here
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Exmoor Moorland Bird Survey Talk
Come and hear all about Exmoor birdlife and the results of our recent Exmoor Moorland Bird Survey
Tuesday 11 March, Dulverton Town Hall
Doors open 6pm, for a 6.30pm start. Free Drink
Our thanks to the Exmoor Society, Natural England, South West Peatland Partnership, National Trust, Devon Birds and from the Exmoor Heartlands Landscape Recovery Project and Exmoor farmers and Landowners for all their help in the project.
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More info on the survey here
Book on to the talk here
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In partnership with a wide range of people and organisations, we are working towards a more nature-rich Exmoor.
Explore more on some of these projects here
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Your Exmoor & National Park Centres
Our new free publication is packed with info to help you enjoy and understand Exmoor and the National Park projects, whether you live here, visit or just love our National Park as much as we do.
The printed copy is available now free, from our National Park Centres and other local outlets. Both our Dunster and Lynmouth Centres are open daily 10-3 this half term - thereafter Lynmouth remains open daily, and Dunster will be open 10-3 every weekend during March.
From the 29 March our brand new Dulverton Centre at Exmoor House
will also be open 7 days a week 10-5.
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Do come and meet our friendly team who are on hand to inform and inspire you with their expert advice. | |
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View your digital copy of 'Your Exmoor' here to enjoy great articles like:
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Moor to Explore Ranger Charlotte Wray checks out adventures to try all over Exmoor, from trail running to surfing
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Exmoor Community Projects How the National Park is supporting education, agriculture and heritage across Exmoor
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Get Involved How being outdoors can help boost your health and wellbeing
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Exmoor Pioneers Exmoor’s landscape gets a lift from the lottery
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The story of Exmoor Dr Lucy Shipley uncovers hidden histories
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Woodland management Exmoor tree-planting – what’s considered native?
| Stuart Campbell surfing the Right at Lynmouth credit esterspearsphotography.com | |
Pine Martens Bounce Back
More Information Events for February and March
Fifteen pine martens were successfully released last year at secret locations on Dartmoor. The Devon Wildlife Trust funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, is leading a project (in partnership with a range of organisatons including the National Trust and Exmoor National Park) to return a similar number of pine martens to Exmoor. Come along to a drop in event to find out more and share your questions
Are you a landowner or land manager in or around Exmoor and want to learn more about living alongside pine martens? Drop by to talk to the Devon Wildlife Trust field officer and discuss opportunities, challenges and the support Devon Wildlife Trust can provide.
Read more information on Pine Martens here
or watch the short video below from the Devon Wildlife Trust
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Rest & Be Thankful pub, Wheddon Cross Wednesday 19th Feb 12-3pm &
Wednesday 5th March 4-6pm & Friday 21st March 12-3pm
Moorland Village Hall (Wheddon Cross) Tuesday 25th February 6-9pm
Devon Wildlife Trust will be giving a short (15 minute) update of the project on the hour, every hour (6pm, 7pm, 8pm), with time for discussion with a number of different team members in between.
South Molton Library Friday 28th Feb 11-2pm
Dulverton library Friday 14th March 2-4pm
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Thank you to Visit Exmoor for supportng our Exmoor Nature Festival, celebrating Wildlife and Wellbeing across our National Park. | |
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Saturday 17 May to Sunday 1 June
Discover more about the unique wildlife and habitats of Exmoor, connect to nature and unwind.
Some really exciting events to look forward to, from Rockpooling with our rangers to bee banquets and bat walks!
More info at here. The full programme will be available from April.
Please get in touch with the Rural Enterprise Team to chat through an event idea or to book an advert for our printed programme.
Deadline Friday 28 February
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Mobile Catering Concessions
For the past few years we have been welcoming applications to operate a mobile catering outlet, from selected Exmoor National Park Authority car parks.
Find out more on what sites are available for 2025/26 here
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Active Travel Survey
Don't forget to share your thoughts and ideas!
Whether it's walking, cycling, wheeling (eg. mobility aids and scooters) or horse riding, we want Exmoor to be accessible for all. We’re asking you to share your ideas on how 'active travel' routes into and around Exmoor National Park could be created or improved.
Submit your suggestions now via our interactive map and short survey here
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Exmoor Country houses
Have you caught up with the latest historical blog in Lucy Shipley's brilliant series on the story of Exmoor!
Catch up with this and all of Lucy's blogs on Exmoor heritage sites here
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Exmoor National Park Explorer Walk
Lynmouth to Watersmeet
Enjoy a beautiful walk through the Lyn valley, along the East Lyn river upstream to where it meets Hoar Oak Water.
Find out more in our short video...
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Shop Exmoor
Every purchase helps support our work looking after Exmoor and helping people to enjoy this national asset. Visit our online shop for the full range.
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Lost Exmoor: Hidden Histories, Untold Stories - Volume 1 - David Ramsay | | | |
Boxed set of Exmoor Classic Walks | | | |
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Exmoor Farms - A Year on the Moor | | | |
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The Porthole at Lynmouth
Look out for some wonderful local artists (Beryl Perriam, Julia Wade, Ann Hyde, John Crush and also new artists Izzy Adams and Bruce Aiken) exhibiting their work in the Porthole, Lynmouth National Park Centre this year.
Find more events on Exmoor here
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Annual Parking Permits
Buy an annual parking permit covering free use of Exmoor National Park Authority car parks at Ashcombe (Simonsbath), Haddon Hill, Tarr Steps and Valley of Rocks for 12 months. Just £60.
Buy your parking permit
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