Exmoor Awareness

Details of the 9th series of the ever popular Exmoor Awareness courses for tourism businesses have been announced with bookings now open.
On Thursday 1 March Moorland Magic will offer a chance to learn more about the beautiful moors of Exmoor with the Heart of Exmoor Moorland Landscape Partnership team.  The course will cover why moorlands are so special, learning about Exmoor’s treeless forest, visiting the unique Victorian water-powered sawmill, a tour of Ashcombe Woods and going on a trail with a tale to the abandoned mine at Wheal Eliza. Lunch and refreshments will be included in this action-packed day.
On Wednesday 14 March at the Moorland Hall in Wheddon Cross, The Star Attraction will explore how Exmoor's new status as Europe's first International Dark Sky Reserve can benefit tourism businesses.
Leading the session will be award-winning astronomer Steve Owens who was UK co-ordinator for the International Year of Astronomy in 2009. In 2011 he was a Winston Churchill Travelling Fellow visiting designated dark sky areas in Canada and the USA to evaluate astro-tourism and has been supporting dark sky tourism in the Forest of Galloway Dark Sky Park.
Steve will be joined by the Exmoor Stargazers a newly formed astronomy society on Exmoor who are keen to work with local businesses to make astronomy accessible to all.
The evening will finish with light refreshments, an opportunity for networking and some stargazing if the sky is clear.
On Wednesday 28 March Town and Country through the Ages offers an opportunity to join the Exmoor National Park Authority Historic Environment team to consider the development and interaction between settlements and the countryside on Exmoor from the prehistoric and medieval ages up to the present day and beyond.
Medieval Dunster will be the base and used as an example while considering issues relevant across Exmoor and interpret the sights our visitors see. The Crown Estate will share some of their new initiatives and future ambitions in the area during the day which will include presentations, a guided town trail and an afternoon field trip to Conygar Tower as well as lunch and refreshments.
Commenting on the courses, Dan James from Exmoor National Park Authority said: “These courses have proved to be both popular and useful to tourism providers on Exmoor, helping them to promote their own businesses and discover more about Exmoor’s special qualities with expert guides.”

The cost of attending 1, 2 or all 3 seminars per person, including refreshments is: 1 seminar £15, 2 seminars £27.50 and for all 3  £32.50.

Published: 16 February 2012