Meldon Wildlife Festival
Join the National Park and partners for a wild day out celebrating Dartmoor's unique and beautiful wildlife. A free fun-filled, event for all the family!
The theme for 2025 is “Bogtastic Dartmoor”-celebrating all of Dartmoor’s wildlife with a spotlight on Bogs and Mires.
There will be lots of wildlife activities to help you get closer to nature and nature crafts to take home. More details to follow but here is a quick taster of some of the things planned
Stream dipping- see signs on the day for times
Minibeast hunts
Ranger Ralph wildlife craft
Barn Owl Pellet Dissection with the Barn Owl Trust
Butterfly Conservation
Mammal Tracks and signs quiz and mammal related craft activities + skulls, droppings, nibbled hazelnuts and stuffed specimens with Devon Mammal Group
Reptile walk, slow worms in a tank and reptile and amphibian craft activities with Devon Amphibian and Reptile Group
Discover Dartmoor invasive plants- quiz and colouring activity with Dartmoor Invasive Project and South West Water
Museum of Dartmoor Life
National Trust
Discover Dartmoor's bogs - spot the difference, stick the beak on a snip, interactive water display with South West Peatland Partnership
Refreshments from 1st Okehampton Scout Group
Ice creams from Taw River Dairy
Snail and Minibeast activity from Adventure Okehampton
Why not grab your phone and become a Look Wild i-Naturalist to help us record the wildlife you see on Dartmoor or take part in our Time for Nature Challenge
Water themed obstacle course participatory event - seen signs on the day for times
Spend the day with us and our wildlife partners at a beautiful part of Dartmoor.
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.
Facilities
Photo: Dartmoor National Park Authority
Free parking, toilets, and refreshments available to purchase.
Getting there
From Okehampton: Follow the B3260 uphill and look for Meldon Quarry sign. Turn left just before Betty Cottles. Follow road over A30, through the woods, under viaduct and look out for car park entrance to Meldon Old Quarry on right.
From Tavistock & A30 Cornwall: Follow signs to Okehampton leaving the A30 via slip road. Turn left onto B3260 towards Okehampton until you see Betty Cottles on your left, take next road on right marked Meldon Quarry. Follow road over A30, through the woods, under viaduct and look out for car park entrance to Meldon Old Quarry on the right.