10 January 2012

Experience the War Horse landscape in Dartmoor National Park

Experience the War Horse landscape with Dartmoor National Park Authority on a specially organised guided walk to a War Horse film location.

Dartmoor National Park provided stunning locations for the filming of the new Spielberg blockbuster War Horse which premiered in London on 9 January and opens nationally on 13 January. The film tells the story of a Devon farm boy who braves the trenches in a search for his horse Joey after he is sent to France as an army horse during the First World War.

Specialist staff from the National Park Authority provided advice and assistance to the production team before and during the filming of War Horse, helping arrange filming permissions for the locations and providing Ranger assistance for access management. Historic buildings and archaeological advice was also provided by National Park staff during set construction.

Steven Spielberg has said of Dartmoor that ‘There’s no place like it in the world…..it’s pretty extraordinary country.’

Dartmoor locations used for the filming include:

•    Ditsworthy Warren House and surrounding area

•    Ringmoor Down

•    Combestone Tor and surrounding area

•    Haytor

•    Bonehill Rocks and surrounding area

•    Hexworthy Bridge

•    Cadover Bridge/Brisworthy

If you want to be one of the first to experience the extraordinary War Horse landscape with a National Park Guide, there are two walks currently on offer.

On Saturday 21 January visit one of the main locations used on Dartmoor. Plenty to see and talk about on this walk as you take in the landscape which so inspired director Stephen Spielberg. As well as visiting Dartmoor locations used during the filming of War Horse there is the chance to find out what life on Dartmoor would have been like during the First World War. This two and a half hour walk starts at 10.30 and visits the Gutter Tor area. Booking is essential: please telephone the High Moorland Visitor Centre on 01822 890414. The Centre is open Thursday - Sunday 10:30 - 15:30, please call during these hours.

On Sunday 19 February there is another chance to visit this area on a three hour walk. The walk starts at 10.30 and booking is essential. Please telephone the High Moorland Visitor Centre on 01822 890414. The Centre is open Thursday - Sunday 10:30 - 15:30, please call during these hours. The distance covered is 3 miles (4.5 km).

On Saturday 17 March there is a special War Horse themed walk for children aged 5-12 years. This is a specially organised event for Ranger Ralph Club members only.

Ranger Ralph meets on a regular basis and each activity is safely led by a Dartmoor National Park Ranger.  Children who wish to join this walk will need to be Club Members. Membership is just £5 per child per year. The club runs up to twelve outdoor events per year .These are all free to attend once you are a member.

Ranger Ralph’s War Horse walk starts at 2pm and lasts for 2hrs - Visit some of the locations used during the filming of War Horse and reflect on life on Dartmoor during the First World War. Bookings for this walk are being taken from 24 February 2012. To find out more about joining visit the Ranger Ralph Club page of the National Park Authority’s web site.

If you prefer to venture out on your own the National Park Authority produces a number of publications which will help you enjoy this inspiring landscape.

Visit the National Park Authority’s online shop for the best selling Walks Around leaflets for Haytor and Princetown - taking you right into War Horse country.

There is a superb selection of cycling opportunities which enable you to enjoy some of the War Horse locations and leaflets and maps are also available. If you need some advice on where to go and what to do to make the most of your War Horse visit to Dartmoor our Information Centres are there to help. Please telephone the High Moorland Visitor Centre on 01822 890414. The High Moorland Visitor Centre is open Thursday - Sunday 10:30 - 15:30, please call during these hours.

For updates on Dartmooor National Park Authority’s War Horse programme visit the National Park Authority’s web site www.dartmoor.gov.uk and go to the special War Horse page.

Ends

For further Information

Mike Nendick, Communications Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority

Claire Partridge, Events and Activities Officer

Tel: 01626 832093

Notes for Editors

Other sources of information

www.dartmoor.co.uk (external link, opens new window)

www.visitdevon.co.uk (external link, opens new window)

www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk (external link, opens new window)

www.moorlandguides.co.uk (external link, opens new window)

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 link, 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.