National Park Centres Open

National Park Centres across Exmoor will open for the season from 1 April 2006. The Centre at Dulverton is open throughout the winter and some Centres have been open for weekends but from next week all five Centres will open daily from 10am to 5pm. The National Park Centres are located at Dulverton, Dunster, Combe Martin, Blackmoor Gate and County Gate.

Guided walks taking place in April include Below the Beacon on Sunday 2nd; Charming Challacombe on Wednesday 19th; The Exe and the Barle on Sunday 23rd; Sunken Lanes and Summits on Thursday 27th; and Kennisham Hill on Sunday 30th.  For further details and for the rest of the year's walks visit www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk or pick up a copy of the Exmoor Visitor from a National Park Centre.

On Monday 17th April National Park Ranger will be leading a walk titled 'Moor Dog Paws! Comer's Gate' which will give dogs and owners the opportunity to learn about the new Open Access on Exmoor.  The walk starts at Comer's Gate SS860355 at 2pm for 2 miles/1½hours.

Visibility nil! Not a landmark or person in sight. Join a qualified Mountain and Moorland Leader on Tuesday 18th and gain confidence and skills to navigate off the open moor. 'How to navigate on open moorland' takes place at Pinkery Outdoor Education Centre SS723412 from 10am-4pm. The course costs £5 per person and booking is essential on 01398 323665. Please bring picnic. Sorry no Dogs.

For something a little more gentle, join Exmoor National Park Authority Head Ranger Mike Leach for a slow tootle around the National Trust's easy access trail on Tuesday 18th. See the sculptures from Wood 2004 and look out for wildlife on 'Access for All' - a free event. Meet at Webber's Post SS904440 at 2pm for 1½ hrs.

Walkers are requested to wear walking boots and bring waterproofs. Walkers under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult and all under 16s and full time students can participate free of charge. Walks of up to 4 hours cost £3 and over 4 hours, £5. All proceeds from the walks and events programme are used in a variety of conservation projects in the National Park through the Authority’s environmental support fund, CareMoor for Exmoor.