SEVEN ways to celebrate this weekend’s 70th anniversary of Exmoor National Park are being promoted by the park authority.

The anniversary of the national park’s designation is on Saturday (October 19), which is Exmoor Day.

Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) chief executive Sarah Bryan said: “It is a day when we take a moment to celebrate all that Exmoor offers.

“This year, it is an extra special one, as it marks the national park’s 70th anniversary and the 75th anniversary of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.

A 70th anniversary cake for Exmoor National Park. PHOTO: ENPA
A 70th anniversary cake for Exmoor National Park. PHOTO: ENPA ( )

“Exmoor has officially been a national park since October 19, 1954.”

Ms Bryan said she wanted to remember and thank ‘everybody who had the vision and foresight to create national parks and allow people to have access to and enjoyment of nature’.

She said: “National Parks were created in response to the end of World War Two, ensuring outstanding landscapes were protected into the future as national assets.

“Seventy years on, we have been reflecting on where we have come and what the future may hold.

“The challenges surrounding looking after nature and enabling everybody to benefit from these spaces are greater than they have ever been, but so, too, are the opportunities.

“As we look to the next 70 years, we are committed to doing more for nature and people and we really appreciate everybody’s support in helping us fulfil those opportunities.”

Brian Seward, who donated a gate to the national park in memory of his late wife Caroline, who loved Exmoor. PHOTO: ENPA.
Brian Seward, who donated a gate to the national park in memory of his late wife Caroline, who loved Exmoor. PHOTO: ENPA. ( )

Ms Bryan said seven ways in which people could celebrate Exmoor Day and the 70th anniversary included walking, running, cycling, or riding in the ‘Exmoor 70 for 70 virtual walk’ by signing up here.

They could also

  • Donate to ENPA’s charity CareMoor 70 for 70 Appeal or carry out fund-raising in any way to raise £70
  • Share photographs, memories, and experiences of Exmoor or let the authority know about any celebration
  • Look out for local businesses holding special promotions
  • Visit one of the award-winning, dog friendly, National Park Centres in Dulverton, Dunster, and Lynmouth
  • Give a unique gift such as dedicating a tree or donating a gate at a special spot with a personalised plaque to remember loved ones or commemorate an anniversary
  • Visit an historical site or enjoy one of the authority’s Exmoor Walks, which cater for all abilities and include ‘accessible strolls’

To mark the anniversary, National Park Centres will be offering a 10 per cent discount on Saturday to everybody who mentions the phrase ‘Exmoor Day 70’, while there is also a discount code in the park’s online shop ‘EXMOORDAY70’ which can be found here.

Exmoor National Park Authority chief executive Sarah Bryan. PHOTO: ENPA.
Exmoor National Park Authority chief executive Sarah Bryan. PHOTO: ENPA. ( )

Exmoor National Park covers 267 square miles of coast, moorland, woodland, valleys, and farmland, and has more than 800 miles of rights of way for people to enjoy.

It is one of 15 UK national parks and in 2011 was designated Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve.

The annual 17-day Exmoor Dark Skies Festival opens on Friday, a day before the 70th anniversary, and has more than 50 events for people to attend, covering activities for all ages and interests.