Children enjoying activities at Meldon Wildlife Festival 2025 © Dartmoor National Park Authority

Make a day of it at Meldon Wildlife Festival

Get ready to discover the wonders of Dartmoor's birds, insects and mammals as Meldon Wildlife Festival returns for another year.

Organised by Dartmoor National Park Authority, the festival is set to be a day-long celebration packed with family activities that celebrate Dartmoor's extraordinary landscapes and the creatures that call it home.

Free to attend, Meldon Wildlife Festival once again returns to the beautiful surroundings of Meldon Old Quarry on Tuesday 18 August from 10.30am - 4pm.

This year, the popular event marks the 75th anniversary of Dartmoor's designation as a National Park with a full line-up of events, activities and crafting. The day includes:

Interactive wildlife encounters: get hands-on with slow worms and reptiles, explore a minibeast and mollusc display and discover fascinating facts about Dartmoor's species with Butterfly Conservation, Devon Reptile and Amphibian Group and Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council.
Nature discovery: craft wooden peg dragonflies, birdy bookmarks and take part in children's activities brought by the Museum of Dartmoor Life, Dartmoor Preservation Association and the National Trust.
Special projects: dissect pellets to uncover what owls eat with the Barn Owl Trust, have a go at origami while learning about curlews with the Duchy of Cornwall and discover the watery world of peat with the South West Peatland Partnership.
Walks and challenges: explore Dartmoor's hidden gem with walks, look beneath the river with dipping activities by Westcountry Rivers Trust and enjoy a picnic accompanied by Devon Wildlife Trust's pine marten pals.

There will also be storytelling, performances by Martin the Wildlife Rapper, exhibitions, displays as well as more activities from Devon Mammal Group, Okehampton Rivers Improvement Group, Stickepath and Okehampton Conservation Group and Adventure Okehampton.

Full details are on the Authority's website.

The 1st Okehampton Scouts are kindly giving time to oversee refreshments including hot food and drinks with Dartmoor Ice Cream Company selling their favourite flavours and best sellers.

Andy Bailey, Dartmoor National Park's Outreach and Engagement Officer, said: "This year's festival is going to be a fun and inspirational day out that celebrates some of the many reasons that contribute to Dartmoor's designation as a National Park.

"It's wonderful to have so many organisations and partners hosting events and activities, helping people of all ages explore nature and connect with the qualities that make Dartmoor special."

The event is possible thanks to the financial support of landowner Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council, alongside the Duchy of Cornwall, and Adventure Okehampton who lease the land.

As the largest and highest upland in southern Britain, Dartmoor is especially interesting in terms of its wildlife. It is also an important reserve for species that can withstand harsher conditions including some very rare plants and animals. Dartmoor is particularly noted for rare lichens, butterflies and other insects but is known for its moorland birds, such as the meadow pipit and curlew, heath and farmland too.

2026 marks the 75th anniversary of Dartmoor being designated as a National Park. As part of its mission to protect Dartmoor and ensure people can access and enjoy its special qualities, the Authority is holding range of public events throughout the year including Ranger-led walks, talks and family days out.

People can win exclusive prizes in a special 75th anniversary prize draw and snap up limited‑edition products on sale in the visitor centres at Haytor and Postbridge.