VISITORS to Dartmoor National Park Authority's High Moorland Visitor Centre in Princetown will now be able to enjoy all exhibitions and displays free of charge.

At the beginning of December, authority members approved the return to free entry after a trial period of charging. 

Charging was introduced in April to help offset running costs.

The authority made the decision to remove the charging in order to maximise opportunities to promote understanding of the park's special qualities to all visitors to the centre.

Anyone who has paid for season ticket entry can receive a refund when they next visit the centre. 

The centre provides extensive, interpretative displays that provide insights into Dartmoor, its history, culture and wildlife, as well as a gallery with regularly changing exhibitions and a small auditorium where visitors are able to watch various short films about Dartmoor.

The High Moorland Visitor Centre is open from 10.30am to 3.30pm, Thursday to Sunday until February. 

Over the Christmas and New Year period the centre will be open from December 27 to January 6, inclusive, (closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day). The centre will be open daily from 10am to 4pm from March, (except March 4 to 8, inclusive).

The National Park Visitor Centre at Postbridge is now closed for the winter and will re-open in spring.

Staff at Dartmoor National Park visitor centres will be pleased to help with advice and ideas on where to go and what to see during a visit to the park this winter. 

The centres also stock a range of useful items for the outdoor enthusiast such as maps, publications about Dartmoor and guide books.