It is important to realise that most of the land that you will want to work on or walk over is privately owned. You must not take it for granted that just because there are no buildings and the land is uncultivated or looks unoccupied that you have the right to enter, even if the landowner is an organisation such as the National Trust or the Forestry Commission.
It is only good manners to ask permission if you intend to set up a study on private land. The Exmoor National Park Education Manager can help you identify landowners and give advice on the choice of sites for study.
The Outdoor Classroom
Exmoor is an ideal outdoor classroom offering tremendous opportunities for study and recreation in every area of learning and experience and to every age. Subjects for study range from the human impact on the landscape, through planning and conservation issues to river mouth studies and designing for the environment. Walking is often the best way to reach a study site and provides the opportunity for first hand experience of the countryside in all its moods. More than 75% of Exmoor is privately owned but a network of rights-of-way gives access to most of the National Park.
A number of residential centres offer complete study courses in both environmental and outdoor education that can be adapted to meet he specific needs of a group while the variety of accommodation available on Exmoor allows teachers and leaders even greater flexibility and freedom. We are proud of our own outdoor education centre high on the chains at Pinkery (see contacts), and encourage your groups to come and stay there.
A Fragile Environment
All countryside is vulnerable but the special landscapes and habitats of Exmoor are particularly fragile. Please bear in mind this when planning your visit and try to include an element in your studies which encourages your group to value the environment they are studying. Please ask if you would like help in doing this.
Contact for specialised advice and information concerning specific activities and study sites.
All group leaders responsible for young people outdoors should be qualified and experienced in the activities they are leading. Most local authorities have their own guidelines, which must be followed, and run teacher and youth leader courses in outdoor activities.
Educational Sites and Contacts for advice on using land on Exmoor.
For more information about public access in Exmoor National Park please see the 'access to the countryside' pages