‘Bigger and better than ever before’ – major Dartmoor festival kicks off this summer

A major Devon festival is set to return this summer with more events than ever before.

The Dartmoor Outdoor Festival 2025 will run from Friday 29 August to Friday 5 September, with activities taking place across the national park and a central hub in Princetown.

Formerly known as the Dartmoor Walking Festival, the event has been rebranded to reflect a wider variety of outdoor activities on offer, from gorge scrambling and forest tai chi to film nights and live music.

New co-directors Richard Matthews and Hannah Durdin took over the running of the festival in 2024 and have expanded the programme to appeal to a broader audience.

In a joint statement, they said: “This year’s festival, celebrating the community and countryside of Dartmoor, is set to be bigger and better than ever before.

“The festival has been designed to highlight the many sustainable recreational activities that can be enjoyed in the national park, and to encourage everyone to access Dartmoor responsibly.

“We are keen to make the festival as affordable and accessible as possible, and we have been delighted with the response from people booking activities. Some events have already sold out and many more are close to capacity.”

The festival begins with a free family fun day on Friday 29 August at the Haytor visitor centre, running from 10.30am to 3pm. Visitors will be able to take part in interactive experiences, learn about the wildlife and history of the moor, and join guided walks led by subject experts.

Other events throughout the week include accessible walks, rock climbing sessions, a ceilidh, and workshops suitable for all ages and experience levels.

The festival is supported by Dartmoor National Park Authority, the Dartmoor Preservation Association, and other local organisations. It has also raised thousands of pounds for Devon Air Ambulance over the years.

Booking for events is now open at www.dartmooroutdoorfestival.co.uk/programme.