News from Dartmoor

The 2008 Ivybridge Walking and Outdoor Festival ..

..runs from 26 April to 5 May 2008 and offers you a wide range of opportunities to enjoy Dartmoor as spring changes to summer.

And it's not just walking! There are skills to learn like dry stone walling, cycle events, the opportunity to learn about edible wild plants, outdoor bowls, arts events, running and jogging events and much, much more.

Walks range from short and easy to long and challenging, with something to suit everyone. Events have also been organised by Dartmoor National Park Authority, South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beatuty (AONB) and The Devon Wildlife Trust.

For more information contact Mark Walker on 01752 897034 or go to the Ivybridge community website.

Castle Drogo, on Dartmoor, in Top 10!

Castle Drogo, on Dartmoor, has been named as one of the top 10 unsung UK attractions by the Guardian newspaper. The article relates to a league table, published recently by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA), listing attractions and visitor numbers and suggests that for a great day out, avoiding the worst crowds, the National Trust's Castle Drogo is the place to visit. For the full article go to the Guardian's webpage.

To find out more details about the visiting the Castle itself go to the National Trust website. To find accomodation near Castle Drogo go to our Accommodation Page.

West Devon is one of the best places in England, and the best in Devon!

It's official! West Devon, which takes in much of Dartmoor National Park, is one of the best places to live in England and it's the best in Devon, local residents tell the Government.

In a survey carried out for the Government last year, 90% of residents said they were satisfied with West Devon as a place to live, more than in any other area in Devon.

Cllr James McInnes, Leader of West Devon Borough Council, said: "We're delighted but not surprised with the results. After all West Devon is one of the most beautiful areas in the country."

For the full story visit West Devon Borough Council's website or to visit Dartmoor for yourself go to our accommodation pages now to book your stay.

Dartmoor featured on BBC2's Natural World programme.

The Natural World. Earth Pilgrim: A Year on Dartmoor. Shown on Friday 18 Jan and Sun 20 Jan, this personal account follows Satish Kumar's journey over his "wild paradise". Against the stunning backdrop of the ever changing seasons on Dartmoor, this programme shows the the variety of beautiful Dartmoor wildlife. Thorugh different eyes, the familiar becomes exotic.

You've seen the programme, now visit and experience the magnificence and mystery for yourself!

If you want to walk in Satish's footsteps, go to our accomodation pages and find your ideal place to stay and start your own journey on Dartmoor.

Ben's Zoo (Dartmoor Zoological Park)on BBC.

Featured by the BBC last year, Ben's Zoo told the story of how the Dartmoor Wildlife Park, near Sparkwell, was saved from closure. Visit Ben's Zoo, now known as Dartmoor Zoological Park, for yourself. Find out more at: http://www.dartmoorzoologicalpark.co.uk

Grant awarded to Safeguard Dartmoors Ancient Woodlands!

Dartmoor National Park has been given a £30,000 grant by the Forestry Commission to safeguard its ancient woodlands.

The money will be provided over the next 2 years and will be put towards caring for the wooded areas that are known to date back to at least the 17th Century.

The Restoring Ancient Woodlands project will help restoration management plans, including the removal of invasive rhododendron, as well as promoting the creation of new native woodlands that extend or link ancient sites.

Wildlife Thrives in Dartmoor and the Westcountry

In a study carried out by British Waterways, some of the rarest species of wildlife can be found in the Westcountry's rivers and canals.

It showed that that while mallards, swans, herons and moorhens are quite common, some rarer birds and animals can be seen.

Among them otters, the water vole, (seen along the River Teign, Dartmoor) mink and kingfisher. Salmon can also be found in the upland streams of Dartmoor.

For bird watchers Dartmoor offers an excellent landscape for spotting such gems as the skylark, ring ouzel, stonechat, nightjar, buzzard and the dartford warbler.