Celebrating 60 years

In 1949 the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act was passed and the first UK National Parks were designated in 1951. Dartmoor was designated in October that year, the fourth area of land in the UK to receive National Park Status. This year Dartmoor National Park celebrates its 60th year.

This year Dartmoor National Park is 60 years old. So, in this special year, why not find out more about this wonderful place? Your starting point is this web site. Explore these pages and you’re sure to be inspired.  Spring 2011 sees the launch of Enjoy Dartmoor, the new look free publication designed to help you make the most out of your time in the National Park during its 60th year. Pick up a copy from a National Park Information Centre - or see it online. There really is something for everyone to enjoy.

See below for information about what’s on to celebrate Dartmoor’s 60th birthday, and come back soon as information will be added regularly.

Coming soon -  a new book celebrating Dartmoor (PDF Help 890kb)

Dartmoor National Park Authority are running two competitions:
1. Photo Competition
The winners have now been announced - please see the press release and the gallery of images below.

2. Dartmoor Moment
Congratulations to Mrs Rose from Lewes who described the magic of greeting the New Year in on Dartmoor and thank you to all those who submitted their favourite Dartmoor ‘moment’

High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown, exhibition programme

Exhibitions running throughout the year. Special exhibition celebrating the 60th anniversary to be held in summer 2011.
Going for Bronze, a partnership exhibition produced by Dartmoor National Park Authority and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum will be on display at Postbridge information centre from Easter 2011.

Dartmoor National Park Authority has produced a film telling the story of the making of a replica Bronze Age cooking pot. The pot is on display in the exhibition.

 

Guided Walks and Events

Dartmoor National Park Authority has a programme of guided walks and events running throughout the 60th anniversary year.

Special events for the anniversary year include:

1950s Dartmoor (Princetown) Sunday 24 April 2011, 10:30, 6hr walk, 9 miles (14.5 km).
A walk through Dartmoor¹s high moor and the remains of human influence in the past. The walk will be a celebration of 60 years of Dartmoor National Park. It will be based on the 1inch to 1 mile map of the 1950s and the official Dartmoor National Park guide book of the era providing a flavour of 1950s Dartmoor. Plus fours, sturdy boots and knapsacks welcome!

Wednesday 11 May 2011
10:00 – 15:00: To celebrate our 60th Anniversary join Dartmoor National Park Authority Ranger Paul Glanville to explore one of his favourite areas of the moor.  On the walk enjoy looking at a great variety of archaeology, flora, fauna and hopefully maybe even see and hear a cuckoo. Please bring binoculars and a packed lunch.  Meet at Norsworthy Bridge, Burrator Reservoir.

The Many Faces of Dartmoor (Postbridge) Saturday 21 May 2011, 10:00, 4hr walk. 
A taste of those aspects of Dartmoor that make it a very special place - from pre-history to plants.

60 Special Items (Haytor, lower car park) Saturday 11 June 2011, 10:30, 4hr walk.
A walk featuring 60 items of interest celebrating Dartmoor's special qualities.

Focus on Archaeology (Princetown) Saturday 2 July 2011, 10:30, 5hr walk, 7 miles (11 km).  Explore the archaeology of the Meavy valley with human activity evident from the Bronze Age to the 20th century.

Tombs, Tors and the Two Moors Way (Lukesland Gardens, Ivybridge)
Sunday 14 August 2011, 10:30, 4hr walk, 10 miles (16 km). Celebrate Dartmoor's many special features from walking routes to archaeology.

Focus on Industrial Archaeology (Shipley Bridge) Sunday 25 September 2011, 10:30, 6hr walk.
Explore the south moor.

1950s Dartmoor (Postbridge) Sunday 16 October 2011, 10:30, 4hr walk.
A walk through Dartmoor's high moor and the remains of human influence in the past.

Festival of British Archaeology walks:
Bellever (Postbridge Information centre) Friday 22 July  10.30am & 14.00 – 2 hour walk – visiting some of the prehistoric sites within Bellever Forest, the excavation of a Bronze Age round house, ands the chance to visit the Going for Bronze Exhibition at Postbridge
These walks will also take place on Saturday 23 July 10.30am and 14.00 and Saturday 30 July 11.00am.

Heritage Open Days
Bellever Day - Sunday 11 September  11am – 4pm

A number of free activities will be taking place to celebrate this Day which was once an important social occasion for locals.  There will be no need to book in advance.

It is a joint event organized by the Dartmoor National Park Authority, the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust, (DPHT), the YHA and the Forestry Commission and Devon County Council .  The day also co-incides with Heritage Open Days, the International Year of the Forest day, and is part of the DNPA 60th birthday celebrations

It will be organized from marquees outside the Postbridge Information Centre where there will be a number of hands on archaeological activities, quizzes and games.  Refreshments will be available to buy courtesy of the YHA.
 
There will also be a number of free guided walks throughout the day.  Those starting at 11- 1pm and 11.30 – 1.30  will be led by members of the DPHT, who will look at the conservation work of the DPHT with displays of ponies working in harness.  Another walk at 11.30 – 1.30pm led by DNPA archaeologist will visit the prehistoric archaeology in the area including the site of a recently excavated round house.

Special activities for Children or Families
The Day is especially geared towards families with the chance to build prehistoric round houses close to the Centre with DNPA Education Officer.  The Forestry Commission are also organizing events around a campfire within the woods; these include building a forest shelter, charcoal making for crayons and willow binding.

Dartmoor Ponies belonging to the Trust will be outside Postbridge Information Centre in the morning and  will lead a moving pony train up to Bellever Tor, where, in the afternoon, there will be an open air theatrical performance which will be a celebration of stories, work, relationships, myth, song and natural history with our native heritage pony breed the Dartmoor Pony. 

Activities will include:

• Clay Pot making
• Handling of bronze weapons
• Mini dig box with associated quiz
• Building a mini hut circle
• Forest Shelter building and charcoal making around the camp fire
• Mass tree hug
• Dartmoor ponies working
• Open air theatrical performance “The Horse’s Tale” (PDF Help 500kb)
• Games and quizzes
• Guided walk to archaeological sites
• Going for Bronze Exhibition
  

Volunteering for Dartmoor
In common with most countryside services throughout the country the use of volunteers to complete practical conservation tasks is very important and is the only way that we can manage certain sites and keep on top of the ever increasing maintenance work! Its also a great opportunity for anyone to put something back into an area they love and respect.
If you are interested in supporting a range of practical tasks during this special year, then please contact the Head Ranger, Robert Steemson rsteemson@dartmoor.gov.uk