Exmoor Day’ A Celebration of Nature and People in the National Park
19 October is ‘Exmoor Day’! A day to celebrate all that Exmoor National Park offers to the world.
Our National Park (One of 15 National Parks across the UK) is known for inspiring landscapes, thriving communities, wonderful wildlife, enterprising businesses, and a rich cultural heritage.
Everyone can get involved by sharing photos, memories, and experiences of Exmoor using the #ExmoorDay hashtag on social media, looking out for special promotions from local businesses and by joining in our ‘Eat Cake for CareMoor’ campaign.
Here are some of the ways the day is being marked across Exmoor!
Eat Cake for CareMoor! Saturday 17 October - Monday 19 October 2026: By eating Cake for CareMoor, at participating cafes, eateries and tearooms, you can ensure that those outlets are donating much-needed funds to keep Exmoor special for future generations and support our nature, heritage, conservation and access projects.
Exmoor Day Discount On #ExmoorDay a 10% special discount is being offered for use in Exmoor National Park Centres by sharing the phrase “Exmoor Day” or within the National Park’s online shop using the code EXMOORDAY26
Space Odyssey Planetarium Sessions Exmoor is famous for its Dark Skies – these sessions offer immersive journeys through space and a chance to learn more about the universe, Minehead Middle School Monday 19 October from 4.30 – 8pm www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/darkskiesfestival
Exmoor Day Challenge Visit Exmoor will be inspiring visitors to explore more of Exmoor through experiences, places to visit and ways to support local businesses, on Exmoor Day itself and throughout the weekend.
Exmoor National Park Management Plan Celebration Event Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) and its partners are marking a year of practical action for nature and people, as part of the Exmoor Management Plan and launching a report on progress made.
Sarah Bryan, Chief Executive of Exmoor National Park Authority, said: “A year on from the launch of the Management Plan, we are seeing what can be achieved when people come together behind a shared vision for Exmoor. From restoring habitats and returning lost species, to supporting farmers to care for the landscape and helping young people gain skills and a stronger voice, this progress belongs to the many partners, land managers, communities and volunteers working across the National Park. There is much more to do, but these achievements give us a strong foundation for an Exmoor that is greener, wilder, more accessible and home to thriving communities.”
Here are just some of the achievements across Exmoor in the past year:
Restoring nature: Partnerships have returned three once-lost species to Exmoor. Devon and Somerset Wildlife Trusts, Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) and the Vincent Wildlife Trust released 19 pine martens, with kits since born in the first successful breeding on Exmoor for more than a century. A family of beavers was released at the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate after an absence of more than 400 years, and six young white-tailed eagles were released through work led by the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, ENPA and Forestry England.
Creating opportunities for young people: Exmoor National Park Authority supported 1,786 young people on educational day visits and enabled 995 nights under the stars at Pinkery Centre for Outdoor Learning. Through Exmoor Pioneers, Young Rangers, careers events, practical volunteering and paid traineeships, young people have explored pathways into conservation, forestry, woodland management, heritage and engagement. An Exmoor Youth Board has also been established, giving younger people a stronger voice in the National Park’s future.
Supporting farming and nature: Through Farming in Protected Landscapes, Exmoor National Park Authority supported 52 projects involving 79 farming businesses and 1,803 hectares of land. The programme helped create or restore 63 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat outside Sites of Special Scientific Interest, while farmers and partners planted 7,889 trees, created 523 metres of hedgerow, restored 1,556 metres of hedge and improved soil health across 886 hectares. Three Landscape Recovery proposals, covering a quarter of the National Park, have also brought farmers, commoners, landowners and conservation bodies together around long-term plans for healthier rivers, peatlands, moorland, woodland and farmland.
Improving public access and rights of way: ENPA rangers and field services team, volunteers and partners have continued to care for Exmoor’s 1,325 kilometres of paths; also creating almost 200 metres of new boardwalk at Porlock Marsh, a safer and more accessible bridge at Cloutsham Splash delivered with Somerset Council, replacement of the Danesbrook bridge after flash-flood damage, and six accessibility initiatives supported through Defra’s ‘Access for All’ funding. ‘Path Fixer’ events have also restarted, helping local volunteers play a direct role in keeping routes open and welcoming.
You can find the full Exmoor Management Plan Delivery Report here www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/management-plan