Dartmoor National Park Authority announces closure of visitor centre

Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) has confirmed that it will not renew the lease for the Duchy Hotel in Princetown, home to the National Park’s Princetown Visitor Centre. 

This decision, made at the Authority’s meeting on November 1, means that the Visitor Centre will close in March 2025.

The DNPA’s members agreed not to extend the lease with the Duchy of Cornwall, the landlord of the Duchy Hotel, and discussions will begin soon regarding new arrangements. However, due to the confidential nature of the negotiations, the Authority has refrained from providing further details on these discussions.

The Authority clarified that the private session was held due to commercial confidentiality, as certain matters (exempt information) are allowed to be discussed in private under the law. While all Authority meetings are open to the public, Part Two of the meeting addressed such confidential issues.

The closure of the Princetown Visitor Centre is part of wider cost-cutting measures as Dartmoor National Park continues to face significant financial pressures. 

Funding for England's National Parks has been increasingly strained, with Dartmoor having experienced over a 40 per cent reduction in real terms funding from Defra since 2010/2011. Despite occasional one-off grants, such as the £440,000 from Defra in March 2023, these funds have not been enough to secure the long-term financial sustainability of the Visitor Centre.

The decision to close the Visitor Centre follows a review that began in 2022. 

While the centre’s closure is set for March 2025, the DNPA emphasised its ongoing commitment to Dartmoor’s communities and natural environment. 

“Our focus will be on supporting our colleagues through this formal process. Discussions are likely to conclude in early 2025,” said the Authority’s spokesperson.

Further consultations will take place with staff and trade unions as part of the closure process.

In the meantime, DNPA will continue to explore new funding opportunities and consider changes to its service delivery to ensure the park remains sustainable and effective in fulfilling its conservation and recreational goals.

The DNPA also reiterated that both its Business and Partnership Plans reflect a continued commitment to Dartmoor.

These plans aim to support thriving communities, create accessible nature-rich spaces, and help people better understand and appreciate the park’s natural beauty.