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31 August 2011

A weekend of time travel in Dartmoor National Park

Higher UppacottStep back in time with Dartmoor National Park Authority between 8 and 11 September as part of Heritage Open Days 2011.

This year Dartmoor National Park Authority has arranged a number of events as its contribution to this national heritage celebration and also as part of the Authority’s celebrations of Dartmoor National Park’s 60th Anniversary.

Explore Hutholes - a deserted medieval village and learn how many medieval houses on Dartmoor now only survive as archaeological sites.

You can also see one of the best examples of a standing medieval house on Dartmoor by joining us on a visit to the grade 1 listed medieval Dartmoor longhouse at Higher Uppacott. In the past this house would have accommodated both people and animals. Today, only a few longhouses survive on Dartmoor with the shippon (animal accommodation) in its original state; most have been converted for domestic use. Come and find out about how the house has changed over the centuries and hear from some of the former occupants.  

On Sunday 11 September National Park archaeologists, the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust (DPHT), the Forestry Commission and the YHA are running a full day of exciting activities at Bellever, near Postbridge. This event is a celebration of our heritage and the 60th anniversary of Dartmoor’s designation as a National Park. It is also an important day for our nation’s forests as the Forestry Commission celebrates the International Year of the Forest.

Bellever races used to be a special event in the Dartmoor calendar attracting people from miles around to take part in pony and foot racing. Bellever Day 2011 will also be celebrating the important contribution of ponies to Dartmoor’s heritage and environment with guided walks looking at the conservation work of the DPHT and displays of ponies working in harness.  DPHT walks start at Postbridge car park at 1pm.

There will also be guided walks exploring the many archaeological sites at Bellever, including a recently Round House guided walk Belleverexcavated Bronze Age round house. There will be a special performance of CaudaEquina - The Horse's Tale (at the foot of Bellever Tor 2 pm - 3 pm) - celebrating the pony in song and myth, prehistoric round house building, and a mass tree hug at 2pm. The Forestry Commission are also running activities around the camp fire, which will include charcoal making (for drawing) willow binding and shelter building.  Expert help will be provided all day, and visitors may drop in and come and go as they wish.  

Marquees outside the Postbridge Information Centre will have ‘hands on’ archaeological activities, quizzes and games and refreshments will be available to purchase courtesy of the YHA.

For those wishing to find out more about Dartmoor’s prehistoric past, Postbridge Centre is displaying the acclaimed Going for Bronze Exhibition, detailing the story of life, death and landscape in Bronze Age Dartmoor.

Details of the Dartmoor Heritage Open Days programme and Bellever Day are set out below:

Thursday 8 September

2.00-4.00pm

Higher Uppacott Medieval Dartmoor Longhouse     

Friday 9 September

2.00-4.00pm    

Higher Uppacott Medieval Dartmoor Longhouse    

Saturday 10 September

10.00-12.00am and 2.00-4.00pm

Higher Uppacott Medieval Dartmoor Longhouse    

10.00-12.30pm         

Hutholes – the deserted medieval village         

Sunday  11 September

10.00-12.00am and 2.00-4.00pm

Higher Uppacott Medieval Dartmoor Longhouse

11.00- 4 pm

Bellever Day

For full details of timings of these events check out www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk or www.heritageopendays.org.uk

The Heritage Open Days, co-ordinated by English Heritage, aims to give people the opportunity to visit and enjoy England’s wonderfully diverse architectural and cultural heritage. Thousands of events take place across the country and give people a chance to visit sites and buildings which are not usually open to the public or that normally charge admission, and all for free! Last year over 1 million people joined in the fun.

Please note most Heritage Open Days events only have limited places so it is essential to pre-book your place on 01822 890414 or at the High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown.

Ends

For further information from Dartmoor National Park Authority

Val Harrison, Historic Buildings Officer

Jane Marchand, Senior Archaeologist

Mike Nendick, Communications Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority

Tel: 01626 832093

For further information from the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust

Clare Stanton Tel: 07885 699802 Email:cgs222@btinternet.com

For further information from the Forestry Commission

Stephen Lees, Recreation and Public Affairs Manager, Peninsula District.

Telephone 01392 834215 or 07831 275651 Email: stephen.lees@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Notes for Editors

Dartmoor National Park Authority’s purposes under the Environment Act 1995 are:

•    to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Park;

•    to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the area by the public.

In carrying out this work, we are also required to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the National Park.

Agendas for full Dartmoor National Park Authority meetings and Dartmoor National Park Authority planning meetings are available on the Authority's web site.You can receive an e-mail notification each time a News Release is issued by the Dartmoor National Park Authority. Subscribe to Dartmoor National park Authority News.

For News Releases from all UK National Parks visit www.nationalparks.gov.uk (external website, opens new window)

For maps, guide books, trail guides, clothing and other Dartmoor merchandise visit Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Online Shop

There are 15 members of the National Parks family in the UK: Brecon Beacons, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Lake District, New Forest, Northumberland, North York Moors, Peak District, Pembrokeshire Coast, Snowdonia, South Downs, Yorkshire Dales, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, the Cairngorms and the Broads.  National Parks are of special value to the whole nation because of their great beauty, their wildlife and cultural interests and the opportunities they offer for quiet enjoyment.  However, they are not nationally owned - the land is in the hands of many landowners or occupiers including farmers.  Over 34,500 people live in Dartmoor National Park and many millions of visits are made to it each year.

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Page last updated: 31 Aug 2011
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