Meldon Wildlife Festival returns

There is something for everyone at this summer’s Meldon Wildlife Festival, which is taking place on Tuesday 17 August. 

The festival, hosted by Dartmoor National Park Authority alongside a range of wildlife and conservation organisations, makes a welcome return to the beautiful Meldon Old Quarry and is free for all to attend.It’s a great opportunity for people to discover more about the wild side of Dartmoor with drop in events and workshops.

Festival goers can get close to awesome birds of prey, try some stream dipping, go on a butterfly walk, look for reptiles and signs of Dartmoor’s secretive mammals, or get crafty with fun nature makes to take home. 

People can also use their mobile phones to become a Look Wild i-Naturalist or take part in the Time for Nature Challenge which celebrates 70 years of Dartmoor being designated a National Park. 

Visitors are encouraged to take a packed lunch or buy some refreshments from the Okehampton Guides who will be providing tasty treats on the day.

Claire Partridge, Dartmoor National Park’s Outreach and Events Officer, said: ‘We are hosting this free wildlife festival to help people discover why Dartmoor’s wealth of fascinating and unique creatures makes the National Park internationally important for wildlife. 

“Bring your family along and take part in some great wildlife adventures to help young people gain an understanding of the huge variety of life on Dartmoor and indeed in their own gardens or parks at home.

“We would like to thank the landowners Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council and the Duchy of Cornwall, and Adventure Okehampton, who lease the land, for their support in making this event possible.”

Meldon Wildlife Festival runs from 10.30am – 4pm. Meldon Old Quarry is signposted off the B3260 opposite Betty Cottles near Okehampton.

Full details are on the National Park website.