An Outdoor Pursuits Festival

Walking safely & responsibly with your dog on Dartmoor

A course aimed at dog owners who would like to improve their skills in handling their pet whilst walking on the moor. Covering aspects such as dog behaviour, where and when to keep your dog on a lead, control around livestock and many other aspects. This event will be run by Kirsty Peake, who is a dog behavioral specialist from Widecombe-in-the-Moor.
Meeting Point: Cold East Cross car park - Car park on the Ashburton - Widecombe road. GR SX 740 742

Legends of Dartmoor - guided walk organised by the DNPA

Dartmoor is renowned for its legends, from hairy hands to the hound of the Baskervilles, you don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to uncover them, simply join this walk.
Meeting Point: Hound Tor car park - Take B3357 Bovey Tracey - Widecombe road. 1 mile from Hemsworthy Gate cattle grid, take signed turning for Hound Tor. Meet in large car park west of tor.
GR SX 739 792

Introduction to Dartmoor - guided walk organised by the DNPA

If you're a first time walker or on your first visit to Dartmoor, why not come on this walk to discover more about Dartmoor's special qualities.
Meeting Point: Venford - Car park with WC's west of dam on the Holne-Hexworthy Road. Meet by the information board. GR SX 685 712

The Granite Railway - guided walk organised by the DNPA

Enjoy the area around one of Dartmoor's best known tors, making the most of the spectacular views, the quarries & the unique tramway made of granite.
Meeting Point: Haytor lower car park - Car park with WC's, below the rocks on the B3387 Bovey Tracey - Widecombe Road. GR SX 765 771

Evening illustrated talk in St. Lawrence Chapel by Norman Croucher

Norman Croucher, living locally in Topsham, is well known in outdoor circles. He has climbed extensively at home and abroad for over 40 yrs on artificial legs. He has written a guide to outdoor pursuits for people with disabilities, as well as his autobiography. His mountaineering ascents number 80 in excess of 10,000 feet and include the 6th highest in the world, Cho Oyu which rises to 26, 906 feet.
Venue: St. Lawrence Chapel, St. Lawrence Lane, Ashburton.

The Southern Moor - guided walk organised by the DNPA

High moorland walk over the Southern Moor, giving a real sense of the remoteness of this part of Dartmoor.
Meeting Point: Venford - Car park with WC's west of dam on the Holne-Hexworthy Road - Meet by the information board. GR SX 685 712

Navigation Day - A day of navigation instruction on the moor around the Haytor area

This will be run by Adrian Partridge, based in Ipplepen. He is a certified instructor with the NNAS, holds a Summer Mountain Leader Certificate and is currently a member of the Ashburton section of the Dartmoor Rescue Group. The day will cover many aspects of navigating out in open country, covering map interpretation, compass work, access areas and much more.
Meeting Point: Cold East Cross car park - Car park on the Ashburton - Widecombe road.
SX 740 742

GPS / Memory Map & Anquet Mapping Systems demonstration

An introduction in the use of hand held GPS receivers and Memory Map/Anquet route planning software. Principally aimed at people who are new to this technology or who have recently acquired a GPS/Software and would like more knowledge in their use.
Compass Works based in Princetown will host this event. They are a new company specializing in navigation and GPS, including Memory Map and Anquet mapping systems.
Venue: St. Lawrence Chapel, St. Lawrence Lane, Ashburton.

GPS / Memory Map & Anquet Mapping Systems demonstration

A Repeat of the Demonstration shown at 10.30 this morning.

Climbing & Bouldering taster

Have you ever wanted to have a go at some climbing and bouldering? Why not come along and take part on one of the climbing sessions to be held on some of the Dartmoor tors. Spirit of Adventure, based at Powder Mills near Postbridge, will be organizing this activity. A long established local company, they specialize in multi activity outdoor courses and adventure holidays.
Venue: Haytor rocks, meet at Haytor carpark SX 759 767

Caving taster

CRS Adventures will be organizing a trip down one of our local caves near Ashburton at Pridhamsleigh. Come and experience a voyage of discovery underground in one of the larger caves in this area.
Venue: Traiventure, North Street, Ashburton. Meet here at 9.45

Canoeing taster

Have you ever wanted to have a go at conoeing in a safe environment at a local lake. Spirit of Adventure, based at Powder Mills near Postbridge, will be organizing this activity. A long established local company, they specialize in multi activity outdoor courses and adventure holidays.
Venue: Colehayes field centre, 2½ miles east of Haytor rocks, turn off at Edgemoor cross. SX 791 776

Joint Canoeing and Climbing taster

Why not take advantage of the chance to have a taster session at climbing and also canoeing. Instructors from Spirit of Adventure are offering this chance at a combined bargain price.
Venue: See climbing and canoeing venues above.

Hill First Aid

Would you know what to do if your worst case scenario on the hill becomes reality. Come and learn the basics of casualty care on our 4 hour practical, interactive, jargon defined and fun first aid workshop. By the end of the 4 hours you will have the skills to manage unconsciousness, undertake CPR, deal with severe bleeding, have an idea of what to carry on the hill and what information the rescue teams find most useful when you call them. This workshop will provide you with a flavour of the full 16 hour Mountain and Outdoor First Aid course delivered by Adventure First Aid who are the leading provider of such courses in the South and South West of England. Participants will receive a basic first aid certificate valid for 3 years.
Venue: St. Lawrence Chapel, St. Lawrence Lane, Ashburton.

Wild walking words on Dartmoor

This will be a guided day walk of moderate length, from New Bridge to Dartmeet. It will be a walk with a difference, because armed with notebooks, we will be stopping at various points to stop and admire, then participate in creative writing sessions. There will be a resident walking poetry tutor who will encourage the group to be free and bold with words and images inspired by this river valley walk, and to capture some moments of the day on paper.
Meeting Point: Dartmeet, Dartmeet carpark SX 672 732

Biodiversity Trail

A fun family experience at Brimpts Farm at Dartmeet. The farm lies between the east and west forks of the River dart, at the heart of the Dart valley prime biodiversity area. It covers a rich and diverse landscape, providing important habitats for many of Dartmoor's characteristic plants, animals, fish, birds and insects. The Brimpts Farm Biodiversity Trail will help you explore many of the interesting habitats on the farm.
This walk is self guided.
Meeting Point: Brimpts Farm - located on the B3357 between Two Bridges and Dartmeet

Evening illustrated talk in St. Lawrence Chapel by Chris Townsend

Chris Townsend is widely recognized as one of the country's leading writers & photographers specializing in long distance backpacking and trekking. He is a regular contributor in The Great Outdoors magazine, reviewing equipment and writing on trails etc. He has completed many long distance walks, such as The Pacific Crest Trail, Lands End to John O'Groats, The Continental Divide and all the Scottish Munro's in one continuous walk. He is also the author of the definitive guide, The Backpackers Handbook.
Venue: St. Lawrence Chapel, St. Lawrence Lane, Ashburton.

Climbing & Bouldering taster

Have you ever wanted to have a go at some climbing and bouldering? Why not come along and take part on one of the climbing sessions to be held on some of the Dartmoor tors. Spirit of Adventure, based at Powder Mills near Postbridge, will be organizing this activity. A long established local company, they specialize in multi activity outdoor courses and adventure holidays.
Venue: Haytor rocks, meet at Haytor carpark SX 759 767

Caving taster

CRS Adventures will be organizing a trip down one of our local caves near Ashburton at Pridhamsleigh. Come and experience a voyage of discovery underground in one of the larger caves in this area.
Venue: Traiventure, North Street, Ashburton. Meet here at 9.45

Canoeing taster

Have you ever wanted to have a go at conoeing in a safe environment at a local lake. Spirit of Adventure, based at Powder Mills near Postbridge, will be organizing this activity. A long established local company, they specialize in multi activity outdoor courses and adventure holidays.
Venue: Colehayes field centre, 2½ miles east of Haytor rocks, turn off at Edgemoor cross. SX 791 776

Joint Canoeing and Climbing taster

Why not take advantage of the chance to have a taster session at climbing and also canoeing. Instructors from Spirit of Adventure are offering this chance at a combined bargain price.
Venue: See climbing and canoeing venues above.

Visit England's second remotest Place - guided walk organised by the DNPA

A walk offering a real opportunity to escape onto the open moor.
Meeting Point: Two Bridges - Quarry car park opposite Two Bridges Hotel on the B3212.
GR SX 609 750

Navigation Day - A day of navigation instruction on the moor around the Haytor area

This will be run by Adrian Partridge, based in Ipplepen. He is a certified instructor with the NNAS, holds a Summer Mountain Leader Certificate and is currently a member of the Ashburton section of the Dartmoor Rescue Group. The day will cover many aspects of navigating out in open country, covering map interpretation, compass work, access areas and much more.
Meeting Point: Cold East Cross car park - Car park on the Ashburton - Widecombe road.
SX 740 742

GPS / Memory Map & Anquet Mapping Systems demonstration

An introduction in the use of hand held GPS receivers and Memory Map/Anquet route planning software. Principally aimed at people who are new to this technology or who have recently acquired a GPS/Software and would like more knowledge in their use.
Compass Works based in Princetown will host this event. They are a new company specializing in navigation and GPS, including Memory Map and Anquet mapping systems.
Venue: St. Lawrence Chapel, St. Lawrence Lane, Ashburton.

GPS / Memory Map & Anquet Mapping Systems demonstration

A Repeat of the Demonstration shown at 10.30 this morning.

Hill First Aid

Would you know what to do if your worst case scenario on the hill becomes reality. Come and learn the basics of casualty care on our 4 hour practical, interactive, jargon defined and fun first aid workshop. By the end of the 4 hours you will have the skills to manage unconsciousness, undertake CPR, deal with severe bleeding, have an idea of what to carry on the hill and what information the rescue teams find most useful when you call them. This workshop will provide you with a flavour of the full 16 hour Mountain and Outdoor First Aid course delivered by Adventure First Aid who are the leading provider of such courses in the South and South West of England. Participants will receive a basic first aid certificate valid for 3 years.
Venue: St. Lawrence Chapel, St. Lawrence Lane, Ashburton.

Biodiversity Trail

A fun family experience at Brimpts Farm at Dartmeet. The farm lies between the east and west forks of the River dart, at the heart of the Dart valley prime biodiversity area. It covers a rich and diverse landscape, providing important habitats for many of Dartmoor's characteristic plants, animals, fish, birds and insects. The Brimpts Farm Biodiversity Trail will help you explore many of the interesting habitats on the farm.
This walk is self guided.
Meeting Point: Brimpts Farm - located on the B3357 between Two Bridges and Dartmeet

families outdoors

Bushcraft skills for young children 0 - 5 yrs old and their parents where they can experience, explore and engage with their natural environment. To be held at Brimpts Farm, Dartmeet. Dannie O'Reilly will be taking this half-day fun session.