Dartmoor and Exmoor are Devon’s two national parks, and also two of our smallest. Both are known for their wild ponies, but also their expanse of natural land.
Dartmoor is mostly moorland that transforms into a stunning canvas of colours in autumn, as the days grow short and crisp. Popular with walks for its trees bursting with shades of amber, gold and crimson, in autumn a mist blankets the hills as people walk through quiet woodland.
The weather can be unpredictable here (and very rainy) so check forecasts before you head off. Be sure to take good waterproof footwear and wellies, as trails can be muddy.
Created from granite over 300 million years old, this is full of hay meadows created by letting grass grow into late summer, which supports wildflowers like black knapweed, ox-eye daisy and self-heal yellow-rattle plus many rare orchids.
We’ve lost 95% of our flower meadows in the last 80 years or so, and so it’s vital to protect those left which provide havens for pollinating insects like bees and butterflies.
Hay meadows are also adored by rare cirl bunting birds and voles. The largest uplands are a ‘temperate rainforest’ and home to rare barbastelle bats who you won’t see, as they are shy!
The Politics of Dartmoor and Rewilding
You likely know that Dartmoor has a big prison in the middle of it. Apparently it’s closing down soon. What you may not know is that a huge chunk of Dartmoor is owned by Prince William, passed to him after the death of his grandmother, when his father became King.
It was recently reported that the estates owned by the Monarchy make millions, by leasing land to the NHS and others. It’s all legal, but ethical? This is the richest family in the land.
Now the prince has inherited the Duchy of Cornwall, he owns a sizeable chunk of land on Dartmoor. Land campaigner Guy Shrubsole says that a lot of the land he owns needs serious rewilding as it is ‘devoid of trees and birds for miles’.
Prince William did offer to hand over some land for rewilding, but campaigners says this is ‘small potatoes’. They appreciate the modern Royals are being seen to be ‘green’. But says if they really are, they need to do more to help restore what is kind of ‘England’s rainforest’.
Diverse Habitats of Exmoor
The moors and heathlands of Exmoor are home to rugged terrain with overhead stonechats and skylarks flying.The woodlands are home to badgers and dormice, and listen out for songs from robins and the head-butting of woodpeckers, with buzzards flying overhead.
The sparkling streams and tranquil ponds support trout and salmond, and provide breeding grounds for frogs and newts. Also here you’ll find majestic red deer and of course, the Exmoor ponies who have roamed this land for centuries, grazing on mooreland vegetation.
