Dartmoor Walking Festival Renamed and Expanded to Boost Visitor Numbers

Organisers have announced that a Dartmoor festival has undergone a renaming and expansion initiative, aiming to draw a larger audience. The event, previously known as the Dartmoor Walking Festival, has been relaunched as the Dartmoor Outdoor Festival. The festival’s program will feature a variety of activities, such as film showings, climbing sessions, and running events, in addition to guided explorations of the moors. According to organisers, the newly conceptualized festival is scheduled to occur from 29 August to 5 September 2025. Hannah Durdin, the festival director who assumed management of the walking festival earlier in 2024, commented on the expansion, stating: “There is so much we can be doing in Dartmoor other than just walking, so we are going to take it bigger.” She further noted the international interest: “We’ve already had people from America ask when it’s on so they can coincide their trip to the UK with the festival so they can be there for it, which is quite the compliment,” adding, “It’s a bit of pressure but I’m sure we can match it.” Mrs. Durdin also expressed the festival’s core mission: “What we are passionate about is trying to help people who may be on the fringes, and would like to explore Dartmoor but don’t really know how to do it. “To be able to come and not worry about the kit and be able to put on accessible events for them too.” The event is being conducted in collaboration with the Dartmoor National Park Authority and the Dartmoor Preservation Association. Mrs. Durdin articulated the festival’s inclusive approach: “It’s aimed at anyone, whether you’ve been walking on Dartmoor for 20 years of if you’ve never been to Dartmoor, anyone can come. “We are working with the wheelchair access group to have accessible walks for people who are in wheelchairs or trampers, literally anyone is welcome. “All the events will be individually bookable, it’s not like you have to commit to spending hundreds of pounds to come, it will be booking walks that you like the look of.” Mrs. Durdin confirmed that booking for events would commence following the launch of the festival’s official website.