Dartmoor Preservation Association

Dartmoor Preservation Association Official 'Friends of Dartmoor', keeping Dartmoor wild and free since 1883 Our members are active in helping to preserve artefacts and to improve habitats.

The DPA was founded in 1883 amidst concerns that land management of Dartmoor by the Duchy of Cornwall was threatening to extinguish the ancient rights of commoners on the moor. Interest in Dartmoor’s landscape, archaeology and natural history had been rapidly increasing through the latter half of the nineteenth century and the formation of a watchdog organisation seemed to be a prudent step to tak

e. Although the way that Dartmoor is managed has changed beyond recognition since those early days, the DPA still maintains a strong interest in archaeology and the ecology of the moor. We also maintain a watchful eye on proposed development in the area. The creation of Dartmoor National Park in 1951 provided a strong assurance of the degree of protection to be afforded to this area. These days, the DPA maintains a strong and close relationship with the Dartmoor National Park Authority and seeks to act in the capacity of “critical friend”. Through our relationships with DNPA and many other local organisations we influence the formulation of policy to manage Dartmoor and participate in actions to conserve its special qualities for posterity. The DPA became a registered charity in 1963.

A population of rare Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary butterflies has been confirmed on DPA owned land at High House Wast...
11/06/2026

A population of rare Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary butterflies has been confirmed on DPA owned land at High House Waste. Our Ecological Consultant, Albert Knott, spent a day on the land last week surveying for the presence of these butterflies, and was delighted to record substantial activity. As well as seeing fritillary butterflies, he also saw multiple Keeled Skimmer dragonflies emerging from the mire habitat. The confirmed presence of these species further underscores the vital importance of the mosaic of moorland habitat, including mires, at High House Waste.

As an adult, Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary butterflies consume nectar from spring flowers including bramble and thistle, flying low to the ground in a distinctive flutter and glide pattern. They can be identified by their striking orange colour, with black marks on the upperside of the wings and black and silver markings on the underside. They also has a distinctive row of seven ‘pearls’ on the outer edge of each wing. The caterpillars feed exclusively on violets (both marsh violets and also common dog violets) and require an ample food source growing near a thatch of bracken, which helps to keeps eggs and caterpillars warm as they develop.

Our refreshed land management plan for High House Waste acknowledges the importance of mires and seeks to improve the health of this habitat on site. We plan to further clear gorse from around the edges of the mires, opening them up and allowing light in so that marsh violets can flourish in these areas. Under the guidance of Albert Knott, we will carry out this work during the autumn and then survey the area again next spring, looking for evidence of Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary butterflies and their food plants.



📷 Albert Knott

Our friends at Chagford Local History Society extend an invite to their Dartmoor History Day.Chagford’s Jubilee Hall wil...
10/06/2026

Our friends at Chagford Local History Society extend an invite to their Dartmoor History Day.

Chagford’s Jubilee Hall will host a major free public celebration of Dartmoor’s history on Saturday 4th July 2026, marking the 75th anniversary of Dartmoor’s designation as one of Britain’s first National Parks.

Organised by the Chagford Local History Society, Dartmoor History Day will run from 10am to 5pm and bring together local history groups, exhibitions, music, storytelling, refreshments, and community memory projects from across Devon.

Visitors will be able to explore historical displays curated by some of Devon’s most active local history organisations, including groups from Lustleigh, Moretonhampstead, Okehampton, Throwleigh and Widecombe. The Devon History Society will also present a special exhibition, Devon in the 1920s, offering a glimpse into everyday life in the county a century ago.

The event will also feature live performances of Dartmoor-themed songs and traditional stories, alongside displays from the Chagford Heritage Centre highlighting the town’s rich local history collections.

In partnership with the Chagford Community and Memory Café, organisers will also invite local residents to share memories of Dartmoor life in decades past, helping preserve personal stories and experiences for future generations.

This free event is open to everyone with an interest in Dartmoor’s heritage, landscape, and communities. Admission is free, plus complimentary refreshments will be available.

The Ellwood Classic National Walling Competition is coming to Dartmoor on Saturday the 27th June, but there's much more ...
09/06/2026

The Ellwood Classic National Walling Competition is coming to Dartmoor on Saturday the 27th June, but there's much more to the event than just walling. This family friendly celebration of rural skills will also feature history walks, talks, music, local food, a bar from Dartmoor Brewery and sheepdog training demonstrations.

HISTORY WALKS AND TALKS WITH SIMON DELL

Simon Dell is the founder of Moorland Guides and an avid walker with a wealth of knowledge. He will be available throughout the event for an informal chat about Dartmoor history, plus will be leading two walks from the walling site to explore local archaeology.

Learn about past uses of the land, including traces of mining and stoneworking industries, such as the sett makers benches. No need to book, just arrive at the meeting point at the times displayed.

This competition is sponsored by the Dartmoor Preservation Association, with generous support from the Dartmoor Hill Farm Project, Dartmoor Brewery and the Dartmoor National Park. Proceeds will go towards Devon Air Ambulance and Sampford Spiney church. Competitors can register directly with the Ellwood Branch of the Dry Stone Walling Association GB. by emailing [email protected] or calling 07557399978.

Book your FREE spectator tickets to the Ellwood Classic Walling Competition on EventBrite.

Roz Brady, environmental composer and writer, shares her new article about DPA owned Pudsham Hay Meadows through the sea...
09/06/2026

Roz Brady, environmental composer and writer, shares her new article about DPA owned Pudsham Hay Meadows through the seasons, with illustrations by Simon Barron.

'There’s treasure trove in these meadows. I watched it rise up like the Sutton Hoo hoard, the yellow Rattle, the Southern Marsh Orchid, the charming little Lousewort and all their moths and butterflies. Most recently I discovered the meadows’ hidden night life; the huge, tropical green and pink Elephant Hawk-moth that flies to the sweet scented nectaries of the long-lipped Butterfly orchids, the undulating Peach Blossom moth like a rippling rose kimono. I found the mysterious purple Heath Spotted Orchid and its secret language written in cryptic markings on pale petals – landing lights for pollinating flies and hoverflies. My imagination was ignited.

On Wednesday the 24th of June I have been asked by DPA to take a nature-writing walk at Pudsham Meadows with folklorist and author Helen Bruce. What a privilege, to hand on the joy and life I have learnt here. And to read you some of the stories I found.'

Illustration:

-The male Marsh Fritillary Butterfly chooses only one Devil’s-Bit Scabious flower for his territory and home.

Our friends at Shallowford Farm extend an invite to their 50th Birthday Fete.Over the past five decades, Shallowford has...
08/06/2026

Our friends at Shallowford Farm extend an invite to their 50th Birthday Fete.

Over the past five decades, Shallowford has welcomed thousands of young people from across the nation onto their working Dartmoor farm, many of them experiencing the countryside for the very first time. That work has been made possible by the partnerships, funding and support of many organisations.

On Saturday 18th July 2026, Shallowford Farm are celebrating this milestone with a community fete at the farm and they'd very much love for as many people as possible to join them.

From 11am to 4pm, the farm will be alive with partner stalls, activities, food, farm animals and storytelling. It's a chance to see Shallowford at its best, to meet the community that makes it what it is, and to celebrate fifty years of making a difference, together.
Tickets are free and families are welcomed.

It was absolutely packed at the Exeter Book Market today, and we were pleased to chat with so many people. We covered ou...
07/06/2026

It was absolutely packed at the Exeter Book Market today, and we were pleased to chat with so many people. We covered our campaign with Campaign for National Parks for better Sunday bus services, land management, our Public Access Fund, Moor Boots, Girls Do Dartmoor, Youth Rangers, our conservation volunteer workdays and our hope for a healthier and more resilient future Dartmoor.

We were joined by Sophie Pierce Author whose writing is featured in our Wild Words magazine, to talk Dartmoor inspiration and landscape connection. The printed Wild Words magazine went down really well and people were delighted by the variety of writing it contained.

Huge thanks to Exeter Unesco City of Literature for inviting us along and supporting even more people in connecting with Wild Words, and Dartmoor as a whole.

It was also exciting to see a 40 year old DPA publication, which even contained a vintage DPA newsletter, for sale on one of the book stalls. The introduction was written by Sylvia Sayer. Sophie snapped it up as research for her next book.

We had a fantastic time at the first day of the Rivers & Moorland Festival and Moorland Festival in Ivybridge yesterday....
06/06/2026

We had a fantastic time at the first day of the Rivers & Moorland Festival and Moorland Festival in Ivybridge yesterday. Following a screening of the short film, 'A Cuckoo Calling' our CEO Tom Usher joined a panel discussing regenerative farming and rewilding.

The 'Moor Understanding' event at the Watermark was a day of big ideas, enlivening conversations and enriching workshops – hosted by Rally for Nature, a Sustainable South Hams project. Visitors were encouraged to engage with questions, such as:

What does a healthy river look like?

How can we speak up for nature?

What can we do to care for the places that care for us?

The DPA were delighted to play a part in helping to build a shared understanding of Dartmoor, spark new connections and inspire action for the landscape. It was excellent to hear from Emma Magee from the Duchy of Cornwall on the panel alongside us and catch up with our allies Moor Trees.

All are invited to our Annual General Meeting on Saturday the 13th of June, which includes a complementary lunch and a m...
05/06/2026

All are invited to our Annual General Meeting on Saturday the 13th of June, which includes a complementary lunch and a mini conference with speakers in the afternoon. We're pleased to announce the first of our speakers, Emma Magee from the Duchy of Cornwall.

Emma is the Head of Communities and Nature for the Duchy of Cornwall, working on Dartmoor. Tasked with delivering an ambitious vision spanning protected habitats, upland livelihoods and innovative delivery mechanisms this work necessitates working in partnership and close collaboration with a wide range of partners. From peatland restoration and upland commons, through ancient oak woodland and highly biodiverse grasslands, via curlew and other upland birds, Emma has practical experience of delivering results on the ground.

Emma has strong experience in catchment management, having worked on hydrological restoration and conservation projects improving condition and extent of priority habitats as well as delivering natural flood management and biodiversity benefits. She has a background in environmental project management weaving in safety, EIA and sustainability expertise but always with a preference for working with natural processes and local communities.

A proud Devon resident, Emma loves being outdoors and indulging her passion for our wonderful species, habitats and landscapes. A keen runner, sea swimmer and sailor she quite often sacrifices pace for wildlife spotting in the wonderful places in Devon these sports take her to. As a mum to two young children she especially enjoys seeing the world through their eyes – sharing their wonder and amazement at the beauty of our world.

Attending both our morning meeting and afternoon mini conference is completely free. Simply register your attendance online.

The Exeter Unesco City of Literature Book Market is coming to Exeter Quay this Sunday the 7th of June, bringing together...
04/06/2026

The Exeter Unesco City of Literature Book Market is coming to Exeter Quay this Sunday the 7th of June, bringing together 13 independent bookshops from across Devon, plus free activities and author talks throughout the day.

The DPA will be in the community tent talking about our recent Wild Words magazine project and the important relationships between creativity, connection and conservation. Sophie Pierce Author will be joining us as a guest for part of the day, chatting informally about her book 'The Green Hill: Letters to a Son,' an extract from which features in Wild Words.

Pop down between 11am and 4pm and enjoy a fantastic celebration of books, stories and community on the Quay. Entry is free, no need to book.



📷Dave McMahon

Volunteers are at the core of conservation work and land management carried out by the Dartmoor Preservation Association...
04/06/2026

Volunteers are at the core of conservation work and land management carried out by the Dartmoor Preservation Association. Many of our skilled team have been volunteering with us for decades, passing on their knowledge to newer recruits and welcoming everyone who wants to give their time to benefit Dartmoor.

This Volunteer Week, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to all our volunteers, who give their time and energy so willingly. We couldn’t have the huge positive impact we do without the support of our volunteer machinists, bracken bashers, gorse cutters and workday co-ordinators. Read on to hear from Kate Wareham, sharing her journey from her first volunteer day with the DPA, to becoming a workday co-ordinator.

Three years ago I was looking for a way to “give something back” to Dartmoor as it had “given” me so much since we moved to the area 11 years ago. In the process I came across the DPA website. Poking around I found the link to the volunteer working parties and decided to give it a go.

Though I didn’t realise it at the time, my first outing was to what is probably our most challenging site, High House Waste (HHW). Not only is it the largest site, it’s also a good 20 minute walk across the moor to the boundary wall and can be another 10 or 15 minutes more to the actual worksite for the day. All of which may not sound too challenging until you add carrying all the equipment needed for the day including loppers, saws, strimmers, petrol and safety gear! On my first visit in March 2022, I spent the day forging a path through some very thick gorse and loved every minute of it! Everyone was very friendly and welcoming. The work was physical but fun with a real sense of achievement when we broke through to our destination.

The day ended with a drink at the Cornwood Inn where I realised that the team were about to break for the nesting season and there would be no more workdays for 3 months – I was so disappointed! However, talk turned to the June orchid count at Pudsham Meadows and I knew I had to be involved. We counted over 4000 orchids! In July it was on the settlement at Buckland Common for bracken pulling but it wasn’t long before I was considered competent enough to be let loose with a strimmer and am now one of the regular “machinists”.

Three years on and I felt I had a good handle on the work at a number of sites and how the various leaders organised the running of a workday. Could I do it? – Worth a shot, so I asked if I could take something on. To be honest I thought would be something small or time limited, but instead I found myself saying “What about High House? – would that be helpful now Claude (the previous lead) has gone back to the US?” And so it is that last October I found myself fretting about the weather (would it be ok should I cancel?), was there enough work for 2 machinists? Should we have coffee before starting work? Then as the day wore on – is everyone happy with their task? Is the weather turning, should we leave? I need not have worried, the team were, as ever, hugely supportive both in their efforts and in responding to my requests for help and advice.

Address

Old Duchy Hotel
Princetown
PL206QF

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dartmoor Preservation Association posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to Dartmoor Preservation Association:

Shortcuts

Share