Exmoor Nature Festival Events Calendar

Join Ruth from the Exmoor Natural History Society for a gentle butterfly spotting walk (approximately 2.5miles). Reasonable level of fitness required. Walk will be on narrow and at times steep paths. Booking required but free event. Donations to Exmoor Natural History Society and/or CareMoor for Exmoor. Meet at Bossington Car Park W3W distilled.owner.equal

The Yarn Market Hotel in Dunster, based within Exmoor National Park, has a 3 night residential break on a Dinner Bed and Breakfast basis, with packed lunches on Wednesday and Thursday with guided walks, in conjunction with the Exmoor National Park Nature Festival 2026. An Experienced guide and transportation for walks included.
All walks will be at a casual pace, allowing time to enjoy the views and experience nature.

Tuesday: Arrival—Local walk of 4 or 5 miles
Wednesday : Day walk—Coastal circular—10 miles maximum
Thursday : Day walk—Moorland circular—10 miles maximum
Friday: Morning walk of up to 5 miles before departing hotel.
The cost is £330.00 per person inclusive (no single supplements).

Join one of our expert gardeners for a guided walk through the grounds of Dunster Castle and discover some of the remarkable native and exotic trees that call this historic place home.

As you explore, you’ll learn what makes these trees so special-from their origins and unique characteristics to the stories they’ve gathered over centuries. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see the gardens through the eyes of the people who care for them every day. The walk lasts approximately one hour. Online Booking Essential- as limited spaces are available. There is no additional charge for the tour, but normal admission applies for non–National Trust members. Pre-booked ticket holders should meet at the Ticket Office at 11am, where a member of the garden team will meet you.

Further dates available: 26th &  28th May 2026 11am - midday.

Join Exmoor farmers Chris and Victoria ('Tortie') Eveleigh for a slow ramble around the easily accessible fields of their farm (about a mile) and then a tractor and trailer ride in a purpose-built tours trailer to the furthest part of the farm for a picnic lunch with a panoramic view, followed by a tractor-drawn tour of the cows and calves plus ewes and lambs in the fields. Beautiful views and abundant wildlife - typically including wild red deer.
Especially suitable for adults who love being outdoors but find walking long distances at a fast pace difficult. Not suitable for competitive walkers, as we'll go as slowly as the slowest person needs to go.
Not suitable for young children (there will be a tour for young families on 26th May).
Bring your own picnic lunch. £10 per person.
Please book via email or phone in advance because we can take a maximum of 12 people.
The walk will be suitable for Tramper off-road mobility scooters or similar.
Dogs on leads can come on the walk but not on the wagon. If dogs have to be left in cars, we have a shed where cars can be parked in the shade.

W3W paddocks.master.thinker

A guided walk onto a secluded beach where there is a hidden sea pool only revealed at low tide. Those brave enough to immerse themselves in the pool may find themselves swimming with rock pool creatures, observed by gulls, or possibly dolphins. After the dip the curious can explore the beach, seeking crabs, prawns and fish in the rock pools. We will finish with hot drinks and snacks, using the old lime kiln ruins as shelter if need be.

£28 per person, suitable for families. Ask about group rates. Uneven access, not suitable for those with limited mobility. Meet at Sir Robert’s Path parking area off the Martinhoe Road.  ///drifters.hill.spinners

Greet the day with a short, invigorating, guided sea dip in the sheltered waters of Porlock Weir harbour, then warm up with a hearty cafe breakfast. Optional walk along to Gore Point to finish. Suitable for confident swimmers, tow-floats to be used. These can be borrowed with prior arrangement. Please phone or email with any questions before booking.

£12 per person, purchase own cafe snacks.

A choice of a 1 hour beginner or 2 hour novice/intermediate trek starting at 10am from Brendon Manor Stables.  Taking in open moors and valleys with the option of Watersmeet woods instead if the weather is wet.  1 hour trek is £40 per person, 2 hour trek is £65 per person.  For your safety and comfort and our horses' welfare, we have a weight limit of 14st (89kg).

This will be a sensory-led experience that encourages mindful and conscious interaction, with an emphasis on ‘being’ rather than ‘doing’. It includes slow walking through this beautiful, ancient woodland, breathing deeply, touching leaves or tree bark, noticing patterns textures and smells of the forest. The final element is a full body meditation under the canopy of trees - followed by herbal tea. Benefits include stress reduction alongside reduced anxiety, better focus and improved mood. Spending time in nature has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce cortisol and balance blood sugar levels. £15

Please telephone or email for more information and booking.

Meet at Horner National Trust Car Park (charges apply)  ///grants.stability.riddle

Join us at Tarr Steps for an evening of discovery beneath Exmoor’s spectacular Dark Skies!
As daylight fades, we’ll head out to explore the hidden world of nocturnal wildlife. Using our bat detectors, you’ll be able to hear the echolocation calls of the many bat species that make their home along the Barle Valley. We’ll also use UV torches to reveal the surprising glow of luminescent plants, lichens, and invertebrates that come alive after dark.

Come along for a magical night-time adventure and experience Tarr Steps as you’ve never seen it before. £5pp booking essential. Sorry no dogs.

Meet at Tarr Steps Car Park  ///footsteps.shady.wiggling

** CANCELLED BY HOST ** Relaxing walk through this beautiful ancient woodland, sensory led immersion,  breathing deeply, listening to nature sounds and noticing the textures and smells of leaves and bark in the forest. Full body meditation under the canopy of trees followed by herbal tea. Finally, experience and join in some wonderful harmonies and songs of nature led by a professional singing coach. You do not have to be musical or be able to read music. Please email or phone for more information and booking.

£25pp Meet at Horner National Trust Car Park  ///slanting.protrude.buns

The South West Heritage Trust is hosting a half-day creative workshop inspired by the life and work of artist and writer Hope Bourne. Led by Somerset artists InkJam, the session invites participants to create printed artworks that reflect the landscapes and wildlife of Exmoor you are invited to “Capture Exmoor in a Carton,” combining creativity and sustainability by reusing materials such as Tetra Pak cartons to make printing plates capturing the essence of Exmoor through drawing of wildlife and landscapes.

You will learn to print from the plates using the Intaglio method and introducing chine collé to add colour, texture, and recycled elements to your prints. There will also be opportunities to explore techniques such as cyanotype and silk-screen printing.

The workshop celebrates the legacy of Hope Bourne (1918–2010), a respected artist, writer, and creator who lived off-grid on Exmoor for much of her life. Bourne’s work focused on the natural beauty of the area, and she produced thousands of drawings and paintings. She also wrote and illustrated seven books and contributed a weekly column to the West Somerset Free Press.

FREE event but booking required.

Join one of our expert gardeners for a guided walk through the grounds of Dunster Castle and discover some of the remarkable native and exotic trees that call this historic place home.

As you explore, you’ll learn what makes these trees so special-from their origins and unique characteristics to the stories they’ve gathered over centuries. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see the gardens through the eyes of the people who care for them every day. The walk lasts approximately one hour. Online Booking Essential- as limited spaces are available. There is no additional charge for the tour, but normal admission applies for non–National Trust members. Pre-booked ticket holders should meet at the Ticket Office at 11am, where a member of the garden team will meet you.

How can poetry illuminate and deepen our relationship with the natural world? Join award-winning poets Jane Lovell, Mark Haworth-Booth and Graeme Ryan at Exmoor House, Dulverton for readings and conversation that explore Exmoor’s wildness, beauty and resilience in this changing world.
The evening will begin with a short reading by local poet Christopher Jelley from his new publication Cliques of the Moon.

Light refreshments on arrival. £7.50pp. Booking essential.

Join the Exmoor National Park Volunteer team to learn what goes on at their Tree Nursery in Exford and how you could get involved. Booking not required - Drop in anytime. Please email getinvolved@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk to find out more.

An informal and fascinating talk about swifts with James from the Exmoor National History Society. Learn more about these incredible migratory birds, their annual return to Exmoor, and how we can help protect them. Free to attend, with donations welcome to the ENHS. Booking essential as spaces are limited.

Please contact Allerford Tea Gardens to book your place 01643401019

** EVENT FULL ** Join Exmoor Ranger Nathan for a walk at dusk on Dunkery Beacon. Meeting just before dark we will walk a circular route listening for bats with bat detectors, looking out for glow worms along the route and listening out for the churring calls of Night Jars.

Please bring appropriate footwear and a head torch. Reasonable level of fitness required. Walk will be on uneven and sometimes steep paths. £5pp booking essential. Sorry no dogs!

W3W  ///sonic.mural.safe

** CHANGE of VENUE & DATE ** Join Hannah and Dan from Really Wild Coffee for a social 5k or 10k Bank Holiday run from North Hill, Minehead followed by their delicious coffee and homemade snacks (chargeable). All abilities welcome. Booking not required but donations to CareMoor encouraged.

Meet at North Hill Tank Ground Car Park at 9am W3W: bulb.drummers.champions

Join Maia from the West Exmoor ranger team learning new skills like campfire cooking, woodworking, whittling and more. Chose between a morning session (10am-12pm) or an afternoon session (1pm-3pm). £2 per session.

Children 7 & under must be supervised by an adult during the session. Normal parking charges apply (free parking for NT members) Tickets only need to be bought for children taking part in the forest school.

The Yarn Market Hotel in Dunster, based within Exmoor National Park, has a 3 night residential break on a Dinner Bed and Breakfast basis with a light lunch at the hotel Tuesday and Wednesday.
All admissions and transportation are included..
Monday: Arrival—Short walk to the Deer Park or Arboretum
Tuesday: Explore Dunster — Castle, Gardens and Mill
Wednesday: AM— Explore Dulverton and Heritage Centre
Wednesday: PM— Explore Porlock Weir, Porlock Weir Centre,      
Boat Museum and Galleries
Thursday: Dunster Beach gentle nature walk, then depart hotel. The cost is £390.00 per person inclusive (no single supplements)

This is a fun, story-generating workshop with Somerset children’s author Emma Bettridge and her dog Nell. During the workshop, we will go for a walk to Burridge Wood  where we will gather to write and use dictaphones to record stories and ideas.  It is a relaxed, interesting and inspiring workshop for children aged 5-12 years.

Please note that the workshop involves Nell the dog – a very friendly and lovely Labrador x Golden Retriever (please don’t bring any animals of your own with you on the walk, thank you).

At the end of the session, there will be an opportunity to purchase a signed copy of Emma’s books, Goodbye Hobbs & Red is Home.

£10 per child (parent/guardian expected to stay with the child)

Start your visit to West Ilkerton with a leisurely ramble around some easily accessible fields close to the farmhouse, and meet some of our animals.
Then gather up your packed lunch (bring your own food and drink) and come on a tractor-and-trailer adventure over to the far side of the farm for a picnic amidst stunning scenery followed by a tour of the fields where ewes and lambs plus cows and calves live during the summer. Get close to the livestock from the safety of our purpose-built trailer.
Cost £10 adult, £ 8 for 10 to 16-year olds, £5 for children 9 years and under.
Dogs on a lead are welcome on the walk but not on the trailer ride. Cars with dogs in can be parked in the shade of a farm shed.

W3W paddocks.masking.thinker

Please book via telephone or email.

Join one of our expert gardeners for a guided walk through the grounds of Dunster Castle and discover some of the remarkable native and exotic trees that call this historic place home.

As you explore, you’ll learn what makes these trees so special-from their origins and unique characteristics to the stories they’ve gathered over centuries. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see the gardens through the eyes of the people who care for them every day. The walk lasts approximately one hour. Online Booking Essential- as limited spaces are available. There is no additional charge for the tour, but normal admission applies for non–National Trust members. Pre-booked ticket holders should meet at the Ticket Office at 11am, where a member of the garden team will meet you.

Further dates available: 19th & 28th May 2026 11am - midday.

Join staff from the Exmoor National Park Team for a free, pop up nature and wildlife activities day for all the family to enjoy. Free of charge, donations to CareMoor appreciated. No booking required.

The fantastic Childrens Author - Emma Betteridge will join the National Park Team offering 2 chargeable sessions with her (booking essential). See additional event page to book her sessions - 'Stories in the Wilds' and 'Story Club'.

Guys, it’s the National Year of Reading! Who cares? We care!

Story Club is a place to share our own stories, talk about books we’ve read and liked (or not!), co-author long version stories on the spot and read stories together. It’s about building confidence in Literacy, through reading and writing, whilst also developing a critical dialogue in children as young as 5yrs, alongside collaboration skills, mental wellbeing and supportive feedback.

Story club is a book club, a place where children co-author a story with a professional author, share new ideas, read aloud & feel part of a club; a club which supports development, mental health & wellbeing. It is for different abilities, tastes & interests.

Suitable for 5-12yrs and up. £6pp

FREE, booking required. Session 1: 10am-12:30pm, Session 2: 1pm-3:30pm.

Flower Press and Print

Inspired by Hope Bourne’s life and work, the South West Heritage Trust are running family-friendly activities, creating printed artworks inspired by the landscape and the natural world. Join Somerset artists InkJam  for a relaxed and creative family-friendly printmaking workshop inspired by Exmoor artist Hope Bourne and using everyday discarded materials as she often did. We’ll discover how simple materials can be transformed into beautiful artworks. Together we’ll explore flowers and foliage through observational drawing, before transferring our sketches to our printing plates, made from recycled card and tetrapak cartons. We will experiment with markmaking, etching tools and cut out shapes ready for printing. We can layer colour inks, inspired by the rich tones of the Exmoor landscape, before printing using our large relief press.

This playful hands-on session encourages curiosity, creativity and sustainability- perfect for families who enjoy making art together. No drawing skills are required, and everyone will leave with their own unique, colourful print.

Hope Bourne (1918-2010) was a respected artist, writer, and creator who lived off grid on Exmoor for most of her adult life. Her work focused mainly on nature and the beauty of the local area. Along with thousands of drawings and paintings, Hope wrote and illustrated seven books and contributed a weekly column to The West Somerset Free Press.

There will be two half-day workshops on this date (booking required).

Session 1: 10am-12:30pm, Session 2: 1pm-3:30pm.

** CANCELLED BY HOST ** This will be a sensory-led experience that encourages mindful and conscious interaction, with an emphasis on ‘being’ rather than ‘doing’. It includes slow walking through this beautiful, ancient woodland, breathing deeply, touching leaves or tree bark, noticing patterns textures and smells of the forest. The final element is a full body meditation under the canopy of trees - followed by herbal tea. Benefits include stress reduction alongside reduced anxiety, better focus and improved mood. Spending time in nature has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce cortisol and balance blood sugar levels. £15

Please telephone or email for more information and booking.

Meet at Horner National Trust Car Park (charges apply)  ///grants.stability.riddle

Enjoy a day of free activities at the wonderful Doone Valley, from creative crafts to exciting nature discoveries. Try your hand at lawn games, get creative and explore the wild play area complete with climbing frames, tunnels and games.

Free Event - no booking required.

Park at Westerclose House (excellent parking) and start with a welcome coffee before setting out on an enjoyable 1 mile walk. Westerclose overlooks open moorland and is flanked by the beautiful River Barle and Pennycombe Water.

We'll walk from the house exploring varied pasture and woodland flora via wooded footpaths alongside Pennycombe Water, through meadows towards the River Barle at a time of year when nature is bursting with all the good things in life!  Walking to the sounds of running water and vibrant birdsong, pausing to identify bankside flora and habitats with a leading member of Exmoor Natural History Society. We’ll return for an informative talk by a member of RETA (River Exe & Tributaries Association) on the ecology of Exmoor rivers and their fish. Informal light lunch and chat time. £15 per head.

Our local village tea-rooms in Withypool serve excellent afternoon tea and cake for your homeward journey.

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Book via email or telephone (by Mon 25 May latest)

A fun day for all ages, young to old, to dig deeper into the natural world. Join us to try out some nature surveying, learn more about the natural world around us and dip your toe into citizen science!

During the day we’ll look and listen for singing birds, explore the riverbed for riverflies, and get to know the bees and trees in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Absolutely no experience necessary, just an interest in the natural world!
N.b. this day will sample some citizen science surveys. Suitable for anyone who has an interest in nature and wildlife.

Free event but booking essential. Donations to CareMoor for Exmoor welcomed.  Meet at Ashcombe Car Park.

FREE, drop-in.

Foliage Forest

Inspired by Hope Bourne’s life and work, the South West Heritage Trust are running family friendly activities, where visitors can create printed artworks inspired by the landscape and the natural world.

Join Somerset artists InkJam and embrace a wild and free approach to creating an illustration. Print layers of foliage to build up a foliage forest and capture the essence of an Exmoor scene. Using black paper, the colourful or simple white prints will create a backdrop where landscapes and farmsteads grow, and wildlife and local characters can appear with the addition of collage or drawing. The black paper also lends itself to a night scene where you can add the stars as they are seen in Exmoor.

You will also have the opportunity to try other creative printing techniques, including silk-screen printing and Cyanotype printing.

Hope Bourne (1918-2010) was a respected artist, writer, and creator who lived off grid on Exmoor for most of her adult life. Her work focused mainly on nature and the beauty of the local area. Along with thousands of drawings and paintings, Hope wrote and illustrated seven books and contributed a weekly column to The West Somerset Free Press.

Free, drop-in, family friendly session between 10:30am – 3:30pm.

Join one of our expert gardeners for a guided walk through the grounds of Dunster Castle and discover some of the remarkable native and exotic trees that call this historic place home.

As you explore, you’ll learn what makes these trees so special-from their origins and unique characteristics to the stories they’ve gathered over centuries. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see the gardens through the eyes of the people who care for them every day. The walk lasts approximately one hour. Online Booking Essential- as limited spaces are available. There is no additional charge for the tour, but normal admission applies for non–National Trust members. Pre-booked ticket holders should meet at the Ticket Office at 11am, where a member of the garden team will meet you.

Further dates available: 19th & 26th May 2026 11am - midday.

Roll up! Roll up! Roll up! Count Cuckoo’s Treetop Circus is coming to a woodland near you! Watch in wonder at the nimble fingered, nut-cracking escapades of Little Red the Juggler. Prepare to be astounded by the high energy hijinks of Grey-Trix the Magician. Hold your breath in disbelief at the gravity-defying aerial antics of Exmoor's own marvellous mustelid The Flying Pine Marten… Set in ancient woodlands, The Treetop Circus is a strange, silly, mad and magical puppet show for families, inspired by the Two Moors Pine Marten project, a conservation project that has reintroduced once native pine martens back to Dartmoor and Exmoor. Enjoy the show before learning how to make your very own dancing pine marten puppet out of paper and card, inspired by the aerial antics of the charismatic tree climbing pine marten.

This event is £3 per participant, hosted by the Two Moors Pine Marten project https://twomoorspinemartens.org/

Roll up! Roll up! Roll up! Count Cuckoo’s Treetop Circus is coming to a woodland near you! Watch in wonder at the nimble fingered, nut-cracking escapades of Little Red the Juggler. Prepare to be astounded by the high energy hijinks of Grey-Trix the Magician. Hold your breath in disbelief at the gravity-defying aerial antics of Exmoor's own marvellous mustelid The Flying Pine Marten… Set in ancient woodlands, The Treetop Circus is a strange, silly, mad and magical puppet show for families, inspired by the Two Moors Pine Marten project, a conservation project that has reintroduced once native pine martens back to Dartmoor and Exmoor. Enjoy the show before learning how to make your very own dancing pine marten puppet out of paper and card, inspired by the aerial antics of the charismatic tree climbing pine marten.

This event is £3 per participant, hosted by the Two Moors Pine Marten project https://twomoorspinemartens.org/

Minehead Golf Club join forces with the Exmoor National Park team for a fun evening of quizzing. Food options available from 6pm and quiz commences at 7pm. Max 6 per team. Booking essential via Minehead Golf Club Website.