PRESS RELEASE

Monday 5th September 2022

Heritage brought to life on Exmoor 

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Two Heritage Open Day events held will unpack medieval and World War Two history on Exmoor in September.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to explore the ruins and earthworks of a medieval Priory founded in 1174-89 at Barlynch, near Dulverton on the 14th September and 2nd World War history will be retold at ‘North hill on the Radar’ on the 17th September near Minehead.

St Nicholas' Priory at Barlynch lies in a remote and beautiful wooded valley beside the River Exe, some 1.5kms north-east of Dulverton. The remains of three monastic buildings survive. On this open day access is provided to the standing wall of the infirmary and earthworks of other buildings and of a fishpond and leat in the valley fields by the farmhouse. A leaflet, guides and temporary interpretation panels will help visitors learn more about this historic asset during the open afternoon which runs from 14.00- to 16.30 on the 14th September.

The popular ‘North Hill on the Radar’ event will help people to discover the vital role North Hill played in World War II when the area was closed to civilians and brought under military control. It became one of country's five new tank training ranges for British, American and Canadian troops. Tucked down the coastal slopes lay a top secret Radar Station, one of 244 across the country and part of a coastal defensive chain to identify shipping and low flying aircraft.

A convoy of military vehicles will make its way from Minehead to North Hill at 10.30am on the 17th September, and throughout the day until 3pm there will be an opportunity to discover more about this incredible period of history from displays at the Radar Station, and through self-guided walks of the training grounds.

Speaking ahead of the events Shirley Blalock, Senior Conservation Officer at Exmoor National Park said: “It is great to join with 5,000 events across the country as part of Heritage Open Days to reveal a bit of Exmoor’s past to the public. Both these events provide a unique opportunity to get under the skin of Exmoor’s rich historical environment and we hope to see many people participate.”

Full details for both events can be found online at www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/enjoying/events. There is no charge but donations to CareMoor for Exmoor are welcome.

ENDS

For media enquiries contact:

Shirley Blaylock: [email protected] / 01398 323665.

Notes to editors

Both events are part of the heritage Open Days initiative - Homepage | Heritage Open Days

Priory Open Day, 14 September 14.00-16.30

St Nicholas’ Priory, Barlynch, TA22 9LH.

Conservation works funded by Historic England and Exmoor National Park were completed in 2020. Access is by kind permission of the owners.

No booking required.

Access: Access is relatively level but over rough grass in fields and irregular garden paths

Directions: Beside the A396 approximately 1.5km north of Dulverton, signed parking in field beside layby, What three words ///minimums.cheered.screening

North Hill on the Radar, 17 Septmeber 10.30-15.00

North Hill Tank Training Ground, Hill Road, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5LB

Suitable for all the family. No booking required.

Access: Rough tracks and steep paths, but much accessible from concrete roads with views across the Bristol Channel although some are steep

Directions: Follow the signs to North Hill from Minehead. The tank training ground is on top of the hill at National Grid Reference SS95384748, what three words ///tractor.trader.cavalier

About Exmoor National Park Authority

First designated in 1954, Exmoor National Park has an amazing variety of landscapes within its 267 square miles – stunning coast, moorland, woodland, valleys and farmland and more than 800 miles of rights of way to enjoy. It is one of 15 National Parks in the United Kingdom and in 2011 was designated Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve.

Exmoor National Park Authority works in partnership with the community, local councils, businesses and other organisations to look after the National Park and promote its conservation and enjoyment. Donations to CareMoor for Exmoor are gratefully received towards the upkeep of the National Park and its special qualities.