1 September 2008
Heritage Open Days
11 – 14 September 2008
Join Dartmoor National Park Authority in a celebration of Dartmoor’s rich cultural heritage. From Thursday 11 to Sunday 14 September 2008, a specially organised series of events is taking place as part of the Heritage Open Days 2008 national event. This well established, popular annual event is co-ordinated by the Civic Trust and English Heritage.
Heritage Open Days 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, providing people with an opportunity to visit sites and buildings which are not usually open to the public or that normally charge admission, and all for free!
This year, Dartmoor National Park Authority has arranged a number of special events focusing on the importance of farming to the cultural heritage of Dartmoor.
Join specialist National Park Authority staff and guides to look at changing patterns in the landscape and building design associated with this ancient and most vital of activities. Visits include prehistoric farmsteads and fields, medieval and post medieval complexes and buildings, including an example of a medieval Dartmoor longhouse and an exceptional 19th century farmstead - an insight into times when horses provided the power on the farm.
Thursday 11 September
Bullaton Farm
Visit this 19th century historic farmstead and learn about Dartmoor’s pre-petrol farming history. There is an interesting array of original farmyard buildings including a threshing barn, linhay and granary, as well as examples of early farm machinery. There are two opportunities to visit on 11 September. The first starts at 11 am, for one and a half hours, and the second from 2 pm – 3.30 pm.
Friday 12 September
Higher Uppacott
 | This weekend there are a number of chances to enjoy a guided tour of this Dartmoor longhouse, a grade I listed medieval farmhouse, in which both people and cattle were accommodated. Higher Uppacott is one of the few remaining examples of this historic building type which has retained its original unaltered shippon (cattle shelter). There are two opportunities to visit on 12 September. The first starts at 10 am, for two hours, and the second from 2 pm - 4 pm. |
Saturday 13 September
Two further opportunities to visit Higher Uppacott, 10 am – 12 noon and 2 pm – 4 pm.
Challacombe
 | A two hour guided moorland walk to explore the well-preserved remains of a medieval farming landscape. Discover how medieval farming practices have shaped the landscape we see today and look at the vital role modern farming plays in the conservation of Dartmoor’s archaeological sites. Starts at 2 pm. |
Sunday 14 September
Visits to Higher Uppacott (times as above).
Ditsworthy Warren
 | An exploration of Ditsworthy Warren Farm in the Plym Valley, once the largest rabbit warren in England, where for over 200 years rabbits were farmed for meat and fur. Discover remains associated with the warrening industry on Dartmoor and a wealth of other features associated with farming over the last 3,500 years, including prehistoric and medieval houses and field systems. This three hour walk starts at 2 pm. |
There are limited places on all these events so it is essential to book your place in advance by calling the High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown, on (01822) 890414.
Details of the programme are also available on the Civic Trust web site www.heritageopendays.org.uk (external link, opens new window)
Ends
For Further Information
Val Harrison, Historic Buildings Officer
Claire Partridge, Events and Activities Officer
Mike Nendick, Communications Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority
Tel: (01626) 832093
Notes for Editors
Heritage Open Days are co-ordinated by the Civic Trust with core funding from English Heritage. Thousands of opportunities to enjoy the nation’s rich diversity will be on offer throughout the country. Events will be free of charge and/or allow access to sites not normally available to public visits. The aim is to encourage interest in all aspects of our cultural heritage, from historic buildings and grand houses to archaeological sites and oral history. Heritage Open Day events are free of charge.
National Parks cover 10% of the land area of England, Wales and Scotland. They 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 33,500 people live inside the Dartmoor National Park and many millions of visits are made to it each year.
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 .
News Releases from all UK National Parks (external link, opens new window)
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This page last updated 1 September 2008
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Page updated 4 September 2008
