Join us for a storytelling walk where we will discover some of the flowers special to Dartmoor meadows, and hear stories about plants that we find along the way. Expect tales from across Britain that inspire, provoke curiosity and explore the connections between people and nature.
With beautiful views of Holne Moor to the west, and set high at 1,200 feet, the field supports a stunning profusion of wildflowers and grasses in the summer, with four kinds of orchid reaching their peak in mid-June - Southern Marsh, Greater Butterfly, Heath Spotted, and Twayblade. Part of a larger group of small fields that make up a County Wildlife Site, the field has had no applications of agricultural chemicals for a generation and has been managed for wildlife and biodiversity for several years.
Ralph Mackridge and Jill Millar are custodians of this wildflower meadow. And in return for us walking through and exploring their beautiful field, they have asked us for an hour's volunteering time clearing bracken. Hopefully you'll agree that this is a worthwhile endeavour and helps us to offer something back to Ralph, Jill, and the ecology of Dartmoor.
Lisa Schneidau is a a storyteller and environmentalist based on Dartmoor. Having worked in nature conservation for 20 years, Lisa currently works with the Devon Wildlife Trust managing and developing landscape scale conservation programmes in north Devon. Lisa has been collecting and telling folk tales about plants for a forthcoming book. Botanical Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland is a story journey through the growing year, with folk tales of the land and the wild trees and plants that surround us through the seasons, in countryside, town and city. It will be published by the History Press in spring 2018. You can find out more about Lisa’s work at www.lisaschneidau.co.uk
Dartmoor’s Daughter creates walks & nature-connection experiences to transform health, wellbeing, and performance. As a professional guide and facilitator, Emma Cunis is a qualified Hill & Moorland Leader (HML) with the requisite Outdoor First Aid certificate, and has a background in global business. Her maternal family has loved Dartmoor for generations. Her grandmother introduced her first husband Eric Hemery to Dartmoor in the 1950s where he set up and offered guided walks and pony treks then wrote a series of well regarded books including ‘High Dartmoor’ described as 'the bible for anyone who has the spirit of Dartmoor'.
Tickets
PRICE: £15 per adult. Group size is limited so pre-booking essential please.
Further Information
LEVEL: MODERATE - Approximately 4 miles at a relaxed pace although you will need to be comfortable walking for 3-4 hours in hilly moorland terrain. And be up for some bracken clearing together as a group too.
WHAT TO BRING: Sturdy hiking boots, long light-coloured trousers (helps to avoid ticks), sunscreen, warm layers, gardening gloves if you have them, waterproof jacket and trousers (whatever the weather forecast); picnic lunch and drink.
LOCATION: 9.45am for 10am walking start together at the small carpark by the little conifer plantation above the Ruddy Brook (SX736746) near Pudsham Down. Car parking is very limited so car sharing is strongly recommended/encouraged - please email if you can offer/need a lift.
Detailed driving directions will be sent in the reconfirmation email a week before the walk.
Sorry no dogs.
CANCELLATION POLICY: The event will go ahead come rain or shine. Sorry no refunds unless event is postponed or cancelled.
RISK: No liability accepted for accidents or incidents.