Celebrating 75 Years
Celebrating 75 years of Dartmoor National Park 
Dartmoor National Park is celebrating a significant anniversary in 2026, marking 75 years since its official designation on the 30th October 1951.
But the story of how our treasured National Parks came to exist started even earlier.
In 1932, a group of young walkers took part in the famous Kinder Scout trespass, standing up for the belief that the outdoors should be open to everyone, not just a privileged few.
Their actions helped spark a movement that eventually led to the creation of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act of 1949, providing a framework in which our National Parks and National Landscapes were shaped.
Today, Dartmoor is one of 15 National Parks across the UK to be given this special designation. Long before its official protection, Dartmoor has stood as a cherished landscape. Dartmoor is a place of wonderful wildlife and powerful geological forces, relentless weather and more than 10,000 years of human activity. To take an expedition across Dartmoor is to walk in the footsteps of those who came long before us.
2026 Celebrations
Throughout 2026, we will be marking this special anniversary with a year of celebrations, including:
- 75th Anniversary Prize Draw
- Guided Walks and Talks by our Dartmoor National Park Ranger Team
- Limited Edition Products available to purchase from our Visitor Centres
- Special Edition of our Enjoy Dartmoor Visitor Magazine
- Fun family events throughout the year
Residents, local businesses, visitors and partners are invited to celebrate 75 years of Dartmoor National Park by sharing their stories, photos, and memories on social media using #DNP75.
Whether it’s a first glimpse of the sea from Haytor Rocks, a family picnic by a meandering river or an overnight expedition, every new memory made contributes to the living history of this incredible landscape.
75th Anniversary Prize Draw
Packed full of prizes generously donated by local businesses and partner organisations, you can support Dartmoor by buying a ticket for our bumper draw.
The prize draw is operated by Dartmoor Futures, a charity set up to support people and nature on Dartmoor. Proceeds from the sale of tickets will be used to support this ongoing and important work.
Tickets for the prize draw are available for purchase at our Haytor and Postbridge Visitor Centres and online.
Tickets cost £2 each, 3 for £5, or 10 for £15.
Enter the 75th Anniversary Prize Draw
Read the full prize draw's terms and conditions
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Dartmoor National Park Authority as a free-standing organisation was created in 1997 – find out more about who we are.