Summer Solstice - June

The sundew is out, it must be June! These vibrant red-gold, carnivorous bog plants herald the summer months.

The Moor has been bursting with new life, and over the last few weeks I’ve enjoyed seeing the abundance of foals, lambs, calves, young rabbits, jewel-coloured damselflies, fledglings (I’ve had to rescue three from the inside of my woodburner as they’d somehow fallen down through the storm cowl on the top of the flue!); plus lots of yellow rattle in the meadows along with purple and heath spotted orchids; pretty blue-white heath milkwort; and the cockchafer beetle known as the May Bug is attracting large flocks of seagulls that seem to know when there’s a good meal to be had each year!

Summer solstice and midsummer are nearly upon us when we get to enjoy the longest day and shortest night. It’s a perfect opportunity to celebrate what may have grown and developed in our lives since the dark winter months, to nurture our projects/family/partners/pets, and to feel gratitude. When the news presents such tumultuous and troublesome times, gratitude for the small daily moments of connection and care seem even more important. 

We have some gorgeous walks, talks and nature-connection experiences coming up. There’s just two tickets left for the weekend of walking to 9 stone circles to celebrate the solstice and midsummer. There’s several places left on the stunning Teign Gorge walk followed by a dip in the river and outdoors wood-fired sauna. And for those of you that yearn for a gentle pace with lots of stops along the way to accommodate health issues or a more mindful way of experiencing Dartmoor, you might enjoy the Gentle Moorland Stroll to the fascinating Buckland Beacon. There’s more than meets the eye at this location. And if you would like to build your confidence to explore off the beaten track - whatever the weather, then come and join our next Navigation Skills for Beginners (or Refresher).

Lastly, please take a moment to consider Dartmoor's iconic semi-wild hill ponies. They are native to Dartmoor, pivotal to biodiversity, and central to Dartmoor traditions, culture as well as tourism. There are less than 1,000 breeding mares left so they are rare and endangered. Having agreed to wait for the outcome of the Dartmoor Management Land Use Group (DMLUG) research to be completed next year, Natural England is jumping the gun this year by proposing that the ponies should be included in all livestock grazing numbers. The ponies will likely lose out against the more commercially viable cattle and sheep as they will vie for farmers’ attention and livelihoods. For more information, please read and sign this petition and help to spread the word please to anyone you think may wish to support the issue, thank you.

June blessings to you all, Emma x 

What you’ll find here…

• Join us this Summer

  • We have Spaces Available for Upcoming Walks, see below for more information.

• Father’s Day

  • Gift a Walk or Experience this Father’s Day with a Dartmoor’s Daughter Gift Voucher.

• What’s On

  • There are Fantastic Events being held over Dartmoor this Summer, see below for more information.

Spaces Available

Click below to see the full calendar of upcoming walks and talks, and as newsletter subscribers you will be the first to know new dates. If walks or talks are fully booked, you can add yourself to the waitlist. Or how about Hire a Private Guide to enjoy the experience with just your friends and family?

Father’s Day

This Father’s Day, treat your loved one to a Walk or Experience with a Dartmoor’s Daughter Gift Voucher.

Our Vouchers can be used towards any of our Walks, Experiences, or a Private Walk for you and your family. They are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.

We’d love to make this Gift extra special, so once you’ve placed your order, simply send us an email and we’ll be happy to personalise the Voucher for you.

What’s On

Thank you for reading!

We hope to see you on the moor over the next few months, and if not, you can catch up with us in our July newsletter!