20 June 2006
Summer Dartmoor Pony walks
| The Dartmoor Pony is part of the fabric and culture of the Dartmoor landscape – an icon of the National Park, known and loved by the millions that visit every year – but how much do you actually know about this hardy native pony? This summer Dartmoor National Park Authority has organised a series of guided walks to help you get to know and understand Dartmoor Ponies a little better. |  |
Join local pony expert Judy Southcombe who, accompanied by a Dartmoor National Park Guide, will take you In search of the Dartmoor Pony, on 25 June and 4 August at 10:30 am. Walks start at Dunnabridge car park (on the B 3357, between Dartmeet and Two Bridges) and will take you to see Dartmoor ponies in their natural environment. Learn about their life on the moor and their importance to the ecology of Dartmoor, as well as initiatives to safeguard their future. There is no need to book a place on these walks.
Dartmoor Pony Encounters start from Widecombe-in-the-Moor, on the 23 July and 27 August, and include a visit to Shilstone Rocks Dartmoor Pony Stud, to see pedigree Dartmoor Ponies at close quarters and find out more about their history. Walks start at the Teignbridge District Council car park, Widecombe-in-the-Moor at 10.30 am. To book a place on one of these walks telephone the High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown, on (01822) 890414.
Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Postbridge Information Centre is once again hosting the popular Spirit of the Pony exhibition. Open daily, during the summer months, with free admission, the exhibition contains a wealth of information on moorland ponies – including children’s activities and audio visual presentation.
The full programme of guided walks and events can be found in the Dartmoor National Park Visitor Guide, the Authority’s free information newspaper, available from Information Centres. The programme can also be viewed on the Authority’s website www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk. Click on Visiting/ Events and Guided Walks.
Many guided walks are accessible by public transport. If you arrive at the start point by public transport, and show your ticket to the Guide, you can join the walk free of charge. For public transport information telephone Traveline on 0870 608 2 608.
Ends
For Further Information
Claire Partridge, Information Officer (Activities)
Mike Nendick, Communications Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority
Tel: (01626) 832093
High resolution images are available to accompany this news item
Please contact Marie-Claire Sabel, Multi-Media Technician, Dartmoor National Park Authority.
Tel: (01626) 832093
Agendas for full Dartmoor National Park Authority meetings and Dartmoor National Park Authority planning meetings are now available on the Authority's website These Agendas are placed on the Authority's web site 7 days in advance of these meetings.
You can receive an e-mail notification each time a News Release is issued by the Dartmoor National Park Authority (see www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk and click on In the news).
News Releases from all UK National Parks (external link, opens new window)
Notes for Editors
Guided walks costs
Up to 2 hours £3.00
Up to 3 hours £4.50
Up to 4 hours £5.00
Up to 6 hours £6.00
Children 14 & Under £1.50
Navigation Courses £12.00
Children’s activities £2.50
Accompanying adults go free but must accompany children 14 and under.
Dartmoor National Park Authority has worked with all interested parties to try to ensure that there is a sustainable future for all ponies on Dartmoor. The Authority has been successful in setting up not only support for all breeds on the commons, but worked in partnership in ensuring that the future of the native breed - the Dartmoor Pony has a sustainable future in its native habitat.
The Dartmoor Pony Society (external link, opens new window) Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust (external link, opens new window) Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony (external link, opens new window) and the Duchy of Cornwall’s Dartmoor Pony Newtake scheme (external link, opens new window) all offer valuable help to safeguard the future for ponies on Dartmoor.
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.
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This page last updated 20 June 2006
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Page updated 19 June 2006
