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Welcome to the latest edition of Exmoor ParkLife!
Keeping everyone up to date with National Park news and opportunities
| Legacy of Burge's Meadow Founder is Supporting Exmoor Meadow Restoration | |
Donations, made in memory of the founder of Burge's Meadow who sadly passed away from terminal cancer will support the Sowing the Seeds Project via CareMoor for Exmoor and vital work to restore 250 acres of wildflower meadows across Exmoor.
One of the richest habitats that supports many different insect species are wildflower meadows, grasslands that were traditionally managed for hay so left to grow and flower over the spring and summer, feeding and sheltering a wide array of wildlife. Wildflower meadows have been lost in the landscape at a dramatic rate, with 97% disappearing since the 1930’s
Since 2021, Exmoor National Park Authority has working with landowners, farmers, community groups, schools, and parish councils, to create and restore wildflower meadows - a thriving nature network, where insects and other wildlife can flourish.
| | | We are very grateful to all the landowners across Exmoor, working with us to create wildflower meadows to support pollinators and other wildlife - like Stewart and Mary Jane Wallis near Parracombe (pictured above with our Sowing the Seeds officer Lucy Cornwall | CareMoor Business Champions | Fundraising polo match in Dunster which donated over £500 to CareMoor for Exmoor | |
We'd like to thank our CareMoor Business Champions including Dunster Estate, Exmoor Tea, Channel Events, Schniffels and Really Wild Coffee. Their donations help support nature, heritage and access projects on Exmoor.
Find more info and the full list of CareMoor Business Champions here
| Exmoor Day and 'Eat Cake for CareMoor' | |
Exmoor Day on Monday 19 October is a fantastic opportunity for everyone who loves Exmoor to celebrate its designation as a National Park and all that makes this special place so unique
Following the success of last year’s Eat Cake for Exmoor, we would love our fantastic Exmoor cafés, tearooms and eateries to join us once again for the #ExmoorDay celebrations. By eating Cake for CareMoor, you can help raise much-needed funds to keep Exmoor special for future generations and support our nature, heritage, conservation and access projects.
Join in here
| Exmoor National Park Management Plan Celebration Event | |
Monday 19 October 2026
11am to 2pm
Porlock Village Hall
Book your space here
Join us on #ExmoorDay as we celebrate all that is good about Exmoor, and in particular the progress made over the last year since the launch of the 2025-2030 Exmoor National Park Management Plan.
A great opportunity for partners, stakeholders and all those with an interest in the National Park to learn about the progress made working towards our vision for a Exmoor that's even better. Greener, wilder, more accessible to all and a home to thriving communities.
Tea/coffee and cake will be available from 11am as we join with others across Exmoor to 'Eat Cake for CareMoor' as part of #ExmoorDay celebrations (cakes kindly supplied by Bampton Fresh, a CareMoor for Exmoor Business Champion).
Come along to hear about what's been happening this year towards the plan, including contributions from our partners.
This will be followed by a networking lunch.
Booking by 8 October is essential.
This is a free event with a voluntary donation to CareMoor for Exmoor
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The Two Moors Pine Marten Project, with support from the Woodland Trust, is providing free trees for landowners and community groups to help improve their land and support woodland wildlife.
The tree packs are filled with fruiting tree species to provide food for woodland creatures. Find out more
Community grants are available to support the monitoring of pine martens
Every record helps the project understand how pine martens are doing on Exmoor, learn more about their behaviour, and keep track of where they are found across Devon and Somerset.
Find out more here
Get up to speed with the Two Moors Pine Marten project so far with this special online talk...
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Credit Mark Hamblin 2020 VISION
| Farming in Protected Landscapes |
"One result of having a pond installed under the FiPL programme has been an increase in insects and swallows. At least 50 swallows have fledged from our Exmoor farm this year, with a record 39 ringed. This compares to 24 ringed in 2024, before the pond was made."
-Brian Milligan, Exmoor farmer
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We support a number of Exmoor Hill farming Network (EHFN) events and initiatives through Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) funding, such as sheep health updates, native breed ram fertility testing vouchers and equipment pools. Look out for more on EHFN's social media or sign up to their weekly newsletter to stay up to date.
FiPL supports one-off sustainable farming businesses and nature recovery projects. If you have a one-off project that could benefit, visit our website to find out if you're eligible or get in touch now with our team conservation@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
| | There are lots of fun events, exhibitions and workshops in and around our National Park Centres this autumn | | |
Gifts from the Autumn Hedgerow
Workshop at our Lynmouth National Park Centre on plants and fruits found in Exmoor’s autumn hedgerows
Discover their traditional culinary uses, seasonal stories and importance to wildlife. 11am-1pm 26 Sep 2026
Read more
Exploring the hills and landscape that surround the historical village of Dunster. Join a guided walk leader and explore the picturesque landscape around Dunster. starting from the National Park Centre Dunster. 11am - 1pm 2 October 2026
Read more
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This weekend, Saturday 19 September, runners take on the epic 50 mile journey of the salmon upriver from the sea to spawning grounds on Exmoor. The event, celebrating this remarkable endangered species and its ecological significance, finishes in front of Dulverton National Park Centre.
read more
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For more events and news keep an eye on our social media!
Or visit our Exmoor events page
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Thank you to everyone who has thrown themselves into litter picking, travelled by public transport or become a citizen scientist on inaturalist, then bagged their well-deserved reward! Last chance to take advantage of our pilot scheme and earn 20% off at Exmoor National Park Centres in Lynmouth, Dunster and Dulverton, with small acts that make a big impact.
Read more
| | Exmoor Dark Skies Festival | | |
Exmoor Dark Skies Festival returns this autumn with its biggest ever programme, marking the 10th edition of one of the National Park’s most popular celebrations.
Running from Friday 16 October to Sunday 1 November 2026, the festival invites everyone to celebrate and explore the wonders of Exmoor after dark, beneath some of the darkest skies in the country.
More than 70 events will take place across the National Park including the return of the popular Space Odyssey planetarium sessions and a special live theatre experience, Wonders of Our Universe.
For the full list click the Exmoor dark Skies programme below or visit
www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/darkskiesfestival
| | Free publications and advertising | | |
Bookings are now open for our 2027 advertising opportunities!
Promote your business through Your Exmoor, our flagship publication with an estimated readership of over 200,000, plus the Exmoor Nature Festival and Exmoor Dark Skies Festival programmes.
More info here
| | White-tailed eagle project | | |
The six young white-tailed eagles (sea eagles) recently released in Exmoor National Park are doing well. The process has followed natural fledging as much as possible with some birds coming back to near the original release site to be fed - some exploring further afield. The birds are satellite tracked so their movements can be followed. When juvenile, sea eagles like to explore over a wide area, then at around 4 years old they return to where they 'fledged' to breed.
Until they are fully ‘fledged’ these birds have been fed on small mammals like rabbit and grey squirrel (grey squirrels harm Exmoor woodland) fish like carp, grey mullet and cuttlefish and corvids like crows.
Find out more about the white-tailed eagle project with Forestry England, Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) and Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation and answers to FAQs here
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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!
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Exmoor Tales – Autumn - A Personal Journal of Life on Exmoor | | | The Exmoor Dark Sky Discovery Trail Guide | | | |
NEW! The Official Exmoor National Park Calendar 2027 | | | Exmoor Strolls: Our Top 12 Step and Stile Free Walks | | | |
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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), Exmoor House - Dulverton (weekends only), Haddon Hill, Tarr Steps and Valley of Rocks for 12 months. Just £65.
Buy your parking permit
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