Progress Reports

• 22% of Exmoor currently protected for nature (30by30)
• 30% of the National Park is priority habitat
• 29% SSSIs in favourable condition
• 14% SSSI features on track to achieve favourable condition
• 44,500 ha is under Agri-Environmental Schemes
• 93 ha of new wildflower meadows under restoration
• 63 ha wildlife-rich habitat outside SSSIs restored
• 70% of knotweed and skunk cabbage sites treated

Case studies:

Local Nature Recovery Strategies

The Devon and Somerset strategies were formally adopted, setting biodiversity priorities and mapping where habitat recovery actions should take place, providing a strong foundation for restoring nature across the two counties.

Landscape Recovery Scheme

Three schemes have been submitted, covering a quarter of the National Park. The Holnicote River Corridors LRS to the east of the Park covers 5,000 ha of land owned by the National Trust, Porlock Manor Estate and Exmoor National Park Authority, setting out long-term plans with tenant farmers and communities for nature-rich, resilient river corridors and their surrounding catchments. Reviving Exmoor’s Heartlands LRS aims to restore the ecological function, resilience and beauty of the central moorlands of Exmoor National Park and its surrounding farmland, in a large 11,000 ha partnership between 22 farmers, commoners, and ENPA, delivering peatland and heathland restoration, increased tree and woodland cover, and maintaining viable farming businesses. The 1,400 ha Arlington LRS, is a partnership between the National Trust and 19 land managers to reconnect habitats between the estate and the West Exmoor Coast through woodland, river and grassland restoration, regenerative farming and species recovery.

Wildlife-Rich Habitat Fund

A new £30 million UK government initiative established to restore and create wildlife-rich habitats across England’s National Parks and National Landscapes. On Exmoor, funding will help to create new wetlands, woodlands, orchards, species-rich grasslands, restore rivers, and carry out feasibility for future projects to create more habitat over the 3 years of the fund.

Farming in Protected Landscapes

Funding supported farmers and partners to deliver practical nature recovery through 52 projects, including meadow, pond, orchard and hedgerow restoration; tree planting and wood pasture; improved grazing and soil and water management; and control of invasive non-native species. In total FIPL supported 1,803ha of land across Exmoor in 25/25 including 63ha of wildlife rich habitat created or restored outside of SSSIs

Meadow restoration

The Sowing the Seeds project received a significant boost through sponsorship fromBuckleys Bees and a three-year donation from Burge’s Meadows to support delivery. New meadow owners have been brought on board, and a Meadows celebration day at Driver showcased restoration work with a wide range of landowners and partners.

Species reintroductions

Huge steps were made towards nature recovery on Exmoor with the reintroduction of three once-lost species: Pine Marten, White-tailed Eagles and Beavers; and ongoing feasibility work on the potential for other species such as water-voles and marsh fritillary butterflies.

The Two Moors Pine Marten project, a partnership between Devon and Somerset Wildlife Trusts, ENPA, the Vincent Wildlife Trust, released 19 Pine Martens on Exmoor in the autumn of 2025. The exciting confirmation that kits have since been born marks the first successful breeding on Exmoor for over a century.

In February 2026, a family of Beavers was released into the wild at the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate, marking their return to Exmoor after more than 400 years. As natural ecosystem engineers, the Beavers will help create wetlands, boost biodiversity and make the River Aller catchment more resilient to floods and drought

Six young White-tailed eagles were released on Exmoor in summer 2026, returning Britain’s largest bird of prey after more than 200 years. Their return is the result of a partnership between the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, Exmoor National Park Authority and Forestry England and will support natural ecological processes and biodiversity, while inspiring people and creating wildlife-tourism opportunities.

Exmoor Nature Festival 2026

A 2-week festival, designed to help people discover more about wildlife and habitats, connect with nature and unwind in Exmoor’s beautiful settings featured more than 50 events. Festival highlights included family fun days, wildlife walks, forest bathing, volunteering opportunities, farm tours, outdoor yoga, tree trails, bat walks, creative workshops and citizen science activities. The fortnight concluded with the Exmoor Society’s Big Nature Day at Nettlecombe Court, bringing together hands-on activities, talks, performances and nature-based experiences.

• The main sources of carbon emissions on Exmoor are from agriculture, visitor & residents travel, and energy
• The average summer day on Exmoor could be 4^OC warmer due to climate change
• Summer rainfall may be reduced by up to 36% due to climate change
• The frequency and intensity of storms is increasing
• 2,600ha of peatland is under restoration on Exmoor
• 18% woodland and tree cover

• 52% of Exmoor’s monitored rivers, waterbodies and coastal or transitional bodies achieve ‘high’ or ‘good’ ecological status
• Chemicals used in flea and tick treatments for pets have been found in Exmoor’s rivers
• River levels in Spring 2025 were less than half the usual levels
• Exmoor’s rivers were polluted by 6,290 hours of sewage spills
• Exmoor’s protected heathland and woodland nature conservation sites are being impacted by air pollution levels, particularly emissions from agriculture

Case Studies

Carbon emissions

Overall carbon emissions from Exmoor National Park increased slightly in 2023 and 2024 (the last 2 years that there are figures for) compared to 2022. The main factors leading to these increases are the number of visitors coming to Exmoor, particularly as people mainly travel by car, alongside emissions from energy consumption by households and businesses. However, emissions from agriculture fell, and the amount of carbon being sequestered in woodlands, trees, hedgerows and soils increased.

Reducing lighting and emissions

Devon County Council has reduced the amount of energy used for street lighting through the dimming of street lighting, adding to the existing part-night switch off. Residential streetlights in rural areas are dimmed to 40% of output between 7pm to midnight, and switched off completely until 5:30am. This also supports the wider environment through reducing light pollution, helping protect nocturnal wildlife and supporting biodiversity in both urban and rural areas.

Greenhouse gas emission reductions

Exmoor National Park Authority continued to cut its greenhouse gas emissions, due to lower emissions from buildings and a greater proportion of business travel being undertaken in electric vehicles, avoiding 25,000 kg of carbon from being emitted into the atmosphere. Additional renewable energy capacity was installed with a solar array powering the tree nursery at Exford.

Peatland restoration

Over 300 ha of restoration works has been carried out on Exmoor’s peatlands by the South West Peatland Partnership over the last 3 years. Monitoring is highlighting the benefits this is bringing to nature, including thriving populations of dragonflies. Monitoring of National Trust sites at Alderman’s Barrow, Chetsford Water and Holnicote showed restored areas holding water during drought and reducing flood risk. Plans for future peatland restoration were progressed through Exmoor Pioneers (funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund) and Reviving Exmoor’s Heartlands Landscape Recovery Scheme.

Temperate rainforest creation

Somerset Wildlife Trust with the support of Aviva and Exmoor National Park Authority, purchased land to create new temperate rainforest near Haddon Hill in the south-east of the National Park. This transformative project will see a new 50 ha woodland comprised of oak, hazel, lime and alder, supporting a distinctive woodland ecology. The new woodland will also improve habitat connectivity, connecting to nearby ancient woodland, creating an extensive and dynamic wildlife-rich landscape as well as additional benefits such as natural flood management.

Expanding tree and woodland cover

Plans for expanding tree and woodland cover were progressed through development of the new Exmoor Woodland Strategy due for completion by the end of 2026.  The pipeline for new woodlands includes Forestry England’s 21-hectare Blackwell Wood.  ENPA/SWT 45 ha temperate rainforest at Haddon and further wood-pasture and applied nucleation at Long Holcombe. The National Trust planted over 7,000 trees across its Exmoor Estate, with plnas for further planting by 2030. The National Trust and Exmoor National Park Authority tree nurseries are working with volunteers to collect seeds and grow trees of local provenance that are well adapted to the Exmoor landscape but also able to adapt to uncertain future climate scenarios, to use in future woodland and tree planting schemes.

Farming in Protected Landscapes

Farming in Protected Landscapes funding supported six projects that increased understanding of farm emissions and carbon storage, and funded farmers and partners to plant 7,889 trees, 523 metres of hedgerow and restore 1,556 metres of hedge.

Preparing for climate change

A partnership climate risk assessment identified threats to habitats, heritage, farming, access, infrastructure and communities. Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Act to Adapt process is supporting communities across Somerset to adapt to climate change, including working with the local community in Porlock to identify practical actions they can take.

Wildfire management

The heightened risks of wildfires from the changing climate were highlighted during the heatwaves and drought during 2026. The Fire services lead the response to wildfire planning and control, working with landowners, farmers and commoners. Exmoor National Park Authority supports this work through helping the fire service to map key infrastructure such as water supplies, rendezvous points and access tracks, and providing public information via various media and onsite signage including extreme fire warnings. Whilst Exmoor was fortunate to avoid any major wildfires over the past year, the risk remains very real. Plans for long term land management through Landscape Recovery Schemes and Countryside Stewardship provide the opportunity to build resilience to wildfire, drought and flooding by holding more water on the land such as through peatland restoration and woodland creation which are proven barriers to wildfire.

• 9 distinctive landscape character types
• 18,768 hectares of moorland
• 55 km of coast
• c4,000 km of hedgerows and boundary features
• 200 Scheduled Monuments
• 748 listed buildings
• 17 Conservation Areas
• Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve

Caring for heritage at risk

Exmoor Pioneers completed its first year of projects caring for heritage at risk. This included establishing a Monument Management Scheme for 26 heritage assets with the support of Historic England, alongside volunteer projects to record farming heritage and use lidar evidence to identify previously unrecorded archaeological features. The Pinkery Canal archaeological investigation, the first detailed investigation for around 50 years, used modern archaeological and environmental techniques to explore England’s highest canal and the landscape sealed beneath its banks. A public open day enabled visitors to see the excavation, meet specialists and learn how pollen, soils and peat reveal Exmoor’s changing landscape.

A dynamic landscape- Porlock Marsh

A Doverhay Museum exhibition: Porlock Marsh – 30 years of a changing coastline marked 30 years since the 1996 breach in the shingle ridge, exploring how tidal inundation transformed Porlock Marsh from freshwater grazing land into saltmarsh. The exhibition helped celebrate the area’s distinctive natural and cultural heritage and showed how understanding past landscape change can inform its future care.

Restoring a designed landscape

Volunteer work parties, local contractors and the Ada in Porlock group continued restoring historic paths, viewpoints and planting associated with the nineteenth-century Ashley Combe designed landscape. Seeds from surviving Ada Lovelace-era trees were collected and germinated to help reinstate the gardens’ historic character.

Celebrating and protecting our Dark Skies

The 2025 Dark Skies Festival - the largest programme to date with over 70 events - brought together stargazing, science, wildlife, storytelling and cultural activities, helping residents and visitors enjoy Exmoor’s internationally important night skies and understand the need to reduce light pollution. Dark-sky-friendly lighting continued to be promoted through planning, with more than 140 planning permissions including lighting conditions, helping prevent unnecessary light pollution and conserve the character of the International Dark Sky Reserve.

Supporting farming heritage

Farming in Protected Landscapes supported practical projects to restore historic farm buildings and leats, revive traditional orchards and meadows, establish wood pasture, lay hedges, plant trees and improve access - helping conserve Exmoor’s distinctive landscape features and heritage.

Signs of the time

A renewed partnership approach between Exmoor National Park Authority and the highway authorities to care for historic rural roads and settlements promotes sensitive repairs, local materials and reduced road clutter, markings and unnecessary lighting, helping conserve the character of Exmoor’s historic villages, lanes and streetscapes.

• 2.6m visitor days with economic impact of £249m
• Exceptional visitor satisfaction - over 99% rating their experience as good or very good.
• Exmoor National Park Centres welcomed over 145,000 visitors for inspiration and information in 2025
• 1,325km of paths, with 86% considered ‘easy to use’ and 78% of the distance of Public Rights of Way step and stile free.
• 6 accessibility initiatives across Exmoor supported through Defra’s Access for All funding
• 995 nights under the stars by young people staying at the Pinkery Centre for Outdoor Learning
• 1,786 young people on educational day visits supported by ENPA
• 7 Exmoor Youth Board Members recruited, giving 18–26-year-olds a stronger voice in the future of the National Park

Good Tourism Plan and Pay with Exmoor Care

ENPA and tourism partners published a shared plan for a regenerative, productive and resilient visitor economy. Its flagship Pay with Exmoor Care scheme was piloted in the summer of 2026 to reward visitors for positive actions such as litter picking, volunteering and sustainable travel, helping tourism benefit Exmoor’s environment and communities.

Stronger partnerships for the visitor economy

Exmoor is now covered by two VisitEngland-accredited Local Visitor Economy Partnerships: Somerset & Exmoor and Devon & Partners. Bringing together Visit Exmoor, ENPA, Destination Management Organisations and public bodies, they provide a stronger framework for shared priorities, resources and targets, while improving accessibility, sustainability, visitor experience and support for local businesses and communities.

Promoting local food and drink

Eat Exmoor, a joint initiative between Visit Exmoor and ENPA, continued to promote local producers, cafés, pubs, restaurants and retailers. The 6th Eat Exmoor guide by Visit Exmoor encouraged visitors to spend locally and experience Exmoor’s food culture. ENPA also worked with producers and hospitality businesses to improve local product branding, while Rachel Gilmour MP hosted an Exmoor food and drink showcase at the House of Commons in April 2026.

Exmoor Young Rangers

The Young Rangers Programme continues to develop with support from the Exmoor Pioneers project, working  with local secondary schools in the greater Exmoor area to provide practical activities, residential experiences and skills development.

A natural health service

Nature Prescriptions continued with health coaches from the West Somerset Primary Care Network, offering supported outdoor activities as part of people’s wellbeing plans. Welcome to Exmoor days also helped people facing social, practical or financial barriers enjoy the health benefits of the National Park.

Access for All

Partners improved access through physical works and new resources to help more people experience Exmoor. ENPA worked with Calvert Exmoor on accessible, volunteer-led birdwatching walks at Wistlandpound, while South West Lakes Trust maintained accessible paths and Tramper hire at Wimbleball Lake. ENPA also developed a sensory story to help autistic visitors, families, people with learning disabilities and people living with dementia prepare for their visit. Defra funding supported further improvements, including an accessible room and pond path at Pinkery, a path at Oakbeer Wood, new seating in Snowdrop Valley and accessibility surveys of public toilets.

Porlock Marsh boardwalks

Almost 200m of new boardwalks improved year-round access to Porlock Marsh. To the east, the National Trust installed a new board and worked with local young people to create words and artwork for the handrail, inspired by the marsh. To the west, ENPA created a new boardwalk, funded by the South West Coast Path Association and CareMoor donations via Best of Exmoor, improving access to an area often inaccessible without wellies.

Maintaining paths and adapting to extreme weather

Rangers and volunteers kept inspections up to date and restarted Path Fixer events. Major works included a new safer, more accessible bridge at Cloutsham Splash in partnership with Somerset Council and the replacement of the Danesbrook bridge after a flash flood swept it away. Preparatory work also progressed for a replacement Hinds Pitt Bridge on the Tarr Steps circuit.

Car-free access along the coast

Somerset Council and Devon County Council jointly supported key bus routes, including the summer 300 service linking Lynmouth with Ilfracombe and Minehead, providing an important sustainable travel option for visitors and communities.

• Over 1,200 businesses within the National Park, 37% home based
• 339 local businesses promoted through the Rural Enterprise Exmoor business Directory
• £45k raised through CareMoor for Exmoor in 25/26 with 20 businesses acting as CareMoor Champions
• Affordable housing pipeline of 18 new dwellings (inc. 8 self/custom build)
• £520,842 of funding allocated via Farming in Protected Landscapes, delivering 52 projects across the National Park, supporting 79 farming businesses.

Case Studies:

Pioneering new pathways to Exmoor careers

The Exmoor Pioneers project helped young people discover local careers and build specialist and transferable skills through careers fairs, talks, group work experience, Young Rangers activities and practical volunteering, responding to evidence that over a quarter of rural Exmoor businesses struggle to recruit suitable labour. The project also expanded paid traineeships for young people in engagement, woodland management, forestry, environmental conservation and heritage skills. SS&L, Somerset Council and partners have also developed the Exmoor Supported Internship Programme to help young people with SEND access meaningful employment.

Creating a pipeline of affordable homes

Housing work continued with councils, communities and housing partners. Existing parish surveys have helped initiate homes with local-need ties, while schemes permitted or under construction include social-rent, self-build and other affordable homes intended to help people remain in Exmoor communities

Housing needs survey

To contribute to the evidence base for future planning and housing delivery, Exmoor National Park Authority worked in partnership with Somerset Council and North Devon Council to undertake the Exmoor Housing Need Survey in early 2026. The survey invited anyone who lives on, works on, or has a strong connection to Exmoor to provide information about their current and future housing needs. Nearly 400 responses were received. The findings will help inform the review of the Exmoor Local Plan and support future decisions about the location and type of housing required within the National Park.

Championing the needs of young people

Exmoor Young Voices has continued to champion the needs and aspirations of young people living and working across the National Park. Building on its established work around affordable housing and opportunities for young adults, EYV has broadened its focus to engage more children, young people and families. During the year, the group has supported wider community initiatives demonstrating how youth-led action can strengthen community resilience and help make Exmoor a place where younger generations can live, work and thrive.

Backing young entrepreneurs

The Exmoor Society’s Pinnacle Award supported young people aged 18–35 to establish or grow Exmoor-based businesses. The 2026 award offered grants of up to £7,000, helping young entrepreneurs build livelihoods that contribute to the local economy and care for the National Park

Exmoor Hill Farming Network

The Network provided trusted, farmer-led training, peer support and knowledge exchange for around 480 farming businesses across Greater Exmoor. Its programme covered habitat and woodland management, moorland fire risk, livestock welfare, natural capital, supply-chain opportunities and traditional skills such as hedge laying, helping farms adapt to environmental, economic and climate pressures

Bringing People Together

A range of partnership events brought Exmoor communities together including: The Rural Enterprise Exmoor Day, connected around 100 local businesses to share knowledge, build networks and explore opportunities for a resilient, low-carbon rural economy; Exmoor Hill Farming Network events, including wellbeing-focused social gatherings such as a summer BBQ attended by over 200 people from the farming community; Exmoor Young Voices’ first Family Fun Day for local families; Somerset Council’s Local Community Networks covering the Somerset area of Exmoor; and; The Visit Exmoor Exchange, which brings tourism providers together ahead of the visitor season.