A WEEK of festivals, fairs and open days have been organised on Dartmoor next month, aimed at putting the spotlight firmly on the many qualities that the area has to offer.
Dartmoor Days, Dartmoor Ways has been launched by Dartmoor National Park Authority to coincide with Devon Food Festival week — and organisers hope the marketing push will really open people's eyes to all that is available to enjoy on the moor.
Three 'food trails' have been created, on the western, northern and eastern edge of the moor. They include food producers, restaurants, events and walks — and although the trails are being launched during food festival week, October 5-13, most aspects of the trails will be available to enjoy throughout the year.
Stella West-Harling, food consultant for DNPA, said: 'There is really something for everyone. The idea is really to give Dartmoor its own identity. We were very badly hit last year with foot and mouth and we are still recovering.
'People have said to me 'This is Britain's best kept secret". They think Dartmoor is just the moor, but we have all these wonderful chefs and producers — for example, we have more AA rosettes and Michelin starred chefs than in any other part of the country on Dartmoor.'
Around Chagford, the trail covers Castle Drogo, The Oxenham Arms at South Zeal, the Museum of Dartmoor Life in Okehampton, Moorlands Dairy in Chagford and Runnage Farm at Postbridge, plus many more places of interest.
A comprehensive full-colour leaflet has been produced for Dartmoor Days, Dartmoor Ways, packed with maps, recommendations for places to eat and stay, dates of festivals and markets, guided walks and information on food producers on Dartmoor.
In addition there are addresses of outlets where people can buy meat and dairy produce direct from the farm gate.
Mrs West-Harling said: 'We want people to see what's going on in the area and also to get producers themselves to get in contact with suppliers to source things locally, which boosts the economy of the area.'
She said there were a 'massive' amount of specialist producers living on the moor and the aim was to raise their profile.
Jo Rumble, community planning officer for the DNPA, said the project aimed to boost tourism by linking the landscape with farming and food production and hoped Dartmoor Days, Dartmoor Ways could become an annual event.
'It's the first one we've done so we'll have to see how it goes, but hopefully we can develop it for next year,' she said.
Dartmoor Days, Dartmoor Ways has a dedicated hotline for information on 01364 653000. More information can be obtained from the High Moorland Visitor Centre at Princetown — leaflets are available at tourist information centres, libraries, shops and restaurants throughout West Devon.
The £12,000 project has been supported by a partnership including Dartmoor Tourist Association, West Devon Borough Council, The Countryside Agency and South West Local Food Partnership Ltd.