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Welcome to the latest edition of Exmoor ParkLife!

Keeping everyone up to date with National Park news and opportunities

Porlock Weir, Credit Shaun Davey c/o Exmoor Commons

Rights of way and Field Services news

Our Field Services team are a very busy crew! Alongside our Ranger Team, they look after around 1000km of paths and bridleways, not to mention maintaining and replacing all the locally made gates and fingerposts that point the way along those routes.

Here are just a few projects they have been working on recently....

Cloutsham Splash Bridge Reopens

The replacement of the Cloutsham Splash Bridge at Cloutsham Ford is complete, restoring an important connection for walkers and cyclists in one of Exmoor’s most scenic and well used areas. Although a Somerset Council Highways bridge, situated on a road next to a ford, the bridge provides a vital link between the network of routes through Horner Woods and the path up to Dunkery Hill. Its removal in 2024 for safety reasons, prompted concern from residents and visitors who rely on it for access.

The bridge in progress

The world's longest coastal path is now open in England!

^{The King Charles III England Coast Path around the entire coast of England officially opened on 19th March 2026.} 

^{As part of this route, we were proud to open the Exmoor section back in July 2024, with improvements along a quarter of the length of the 36 mile stretch of the The South West Coast Path so that walkers at popular Devon and Somerset spots such as Hurlstone Point, Cobbler's Park, Lee Abbey, North Hill and Glenthorne could enjoy revived ancient paths and more scenic views.}

Read more on the King Charles III England Coast Path here

View the King Charles III England Coast Path map here

Venford Wood Footbridge Completed

The completed bridge

Don't forget to fill in our

Exmoor Housing Need Survey

Last chance to fill in our Exmoor Housing Need Survey!

– Are you or anyone you know struggling to afford a home on Exmoor?

-Have you had to move away because of housing costs?

-Are you looking to self build?

-Does your accommodation no longer meet your needs?

-Do you have to live with parents?



Complete this short survey now and help shape a true picture of housing need on Exmoor.

More info at www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/housing-survey

Megan from Exmoor Young Voices explains more about the housing survey

and why your input will help shape the future of housing on Exmoor

FiPL (Farming in Protected Landscapes) funding, administered by our ENPA team, has been supporting a range of nature-friendly farming workshops, in collaboration with the Exmoor Hill Farming Network and FWAG. These covered everything from hedgerow and woodland management to grassland nutrient management.

A recent dung beetle workshop, with national expert Sally-Ann Spence - hosted by Westermill Farm in Exford - introduced Exmoor Farmers and organisations to how these invertebrates can improve soil health and increase productivity.

It highlighted: The importance of dung beetles in our livestock systems and what they're doing beyond removing dung. How our native dung beetles can positively affect livestock, pastures, soil, carbon sequestration, methane emissions and farm biodiversity. The ecosystem functions of these economically important pastoral insects, their ecology, their threats and the potential practical changes in management required for their conservation.

In this video, Victoria Eveleigh from West Ilkerton Farm gives her thoughts on the workshop, invertebrates and farming...

You can find out more about Farming in Protected Landscapes funding here

Events coming up

For more activities check out the events page of our website

Pine Marten Kits: Mark Hamblin 2020 Vision

Pine Marten Drop in Event

Want to hear more about pine martens on Exmoor or have specific questions about the Two Moors Pine Marten project?



Join Devon Wildlife Trust Field Officer, Ali North, to learn about the Two Moors Pine Marten project and the recovery of pine martens in the South West.

Tuesday 24 March 2026. Time: 2– 4pm. Lynton Library, Market Hall, Market Street, Lynton, EX35 6AF

Two Moors Way - 50th Anniversary Walks

28 March 2026 10am - 4pm

Meet Lynmouth Car Park (Pay & Display), off Countisbury Hill EX35 6EP

An 11 mile walk visiting the Valley of Rocks, Six Acre Cross, New Mill, Manor Farm, Sparhanger Cross, Cheriton, then then returning to Lynmouth using the Two Moors Way, Smallcombe Bridge, Hillsford Bridge, Myrtleberry Cleave and Lyn Cleave.

11 April 2026 10:30am - 3:30pm

Meet Simonsbath Car Park (Pay & Display) TA24 7SH

An 11 mile walk visiting the Valley of Rocks, Six Acre Cross, New Mill, Manor Farm, Sparhanger Cross, Cheriton, then returning to Lynmouth using the Two Moors Way, Smallcombe Bridge, Hillsford Bridge, Myrtleberry Cleave and Lyn Cleave.

The walks are strenuous in places with some steep ascents and descents.

Two Moors Way 50th Anniversary 

Full Walks Programme March–Sept 2026

• To book onto any of the walks please email jointhebigwalk@btinternet.com

• For general enquiries about the Two Moors Way/Devon Coast to Coast please email info@twomoorsway.org 

• More information is available on the website https://twomoorsway.org/events-and-walks

Easter Wreath and Table decorations workshop

Join us at the Exmoor National Park Centre, Lynmouth for a relaxing Easter Wreath and Table decorations workshop on Saturday 28 March to make some beautiful seasonal decorations for your home.

To book please call the National Park Centre on 01598 752509 or find more information online here

Rockpooling with the Rangers

4 April 2026 1- 3pm

Lynmouth seafront EX35 6EQ

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

The rockpooling site is very exposed so please dress for the weather. Water shoes or wellies encouraged. Nets, buckets and knowledge provided. Free eevnt - donations to CareMoor welcome online or pop in to Lynmouth National Park Centre opposite.



 07970099116 cwray@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk

Heritage Walks

Bookings are open for our new programme of heritage walks such as:

Waters of Time: Exploring Lynmouth's Heritage, led by a knowledgeable volunteer, these walks are free and will run throughout the season.

Discover how water has shaped life in Lynmouth from its roots as a fishing village to the growth of tourism and the impact of nature.

Book a place and find more walks like this here

For more information please call the National Park Centre, Lynmouth on 01598 75250

Nature and Wildlife Tourism Awareness Workshop

Save the Date!



Wednesday 6 May Porlock Village Hall

More details to follow soon in our

next e-newsletter and social media.

Exmoor Nature Festival 2026



The full event listing and printed programme for 2026 is now available!



From meadow yoga to woodland talks, farm tours to pool dips, there’s a wide range of wildlife and wellbeing activities happening across North Devon and West Somerset.

Our thanks to the Somerset and Exmoor Local Visitor Economy Partnership for their support

Find more details here

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

National Park Centre Opening Times

Dulverton,Exmoor House

Summer opening from 28 March 2026

10am - 5pm, 7 days a week (closed for lunch 1.30 - 2pm)

Dunster

Open 10-3pm Weekends in March

Summer opening from 28 March 2026

10am - 5pm, 7 days a week

Lynmouth

Open 10am-3pm, until 28 March 2026 then 10am - 5pm, 7 days a week

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!