A ‘BOGTASTIC’ celebration of all things Dartmoor takes place next week.

Meldon Old Quarry is once again hosting Dartmoor National Park Authority's Wildlife Festival - and this year it's bigger and better than ever before.

Tuesday, August 19 will see the return of the family-friendly Meldon Wildlife Festival which is free to attend and features fantastic activities organised by people with a passion for nature, wildlife and conservation.

This year, the popular event supports Peat-Fest South West - a region-wide celebration raising awareness of peatland heritage through youth-focused events, intergenerational skills exchange, creative activities, and digital storytelling.

The festival theme for 2025 is 'Bogtastic Dartmoor' and celebrates the National Park's wildlife with a spotlight on upland bogs and valley mires.

Meldon Wildlife Festival is organised by Dartmoor National Park Authority alongside a range of wildlife and conservation organisations.

This year it includes the South West Peatland Partnership, Devon Wildlife Trust, Art and Energy, Barn Owl Trust, 1st Okehampton Scouts, Devon Reptile and Amphibian Group and Museum of Dartmoor Life, Sticklepath and Okehampton Conservation Group, the National Trust, Devon Mammal Group, Adventure Okehampton and South West Water.

There will be heaps of things for children to do including stream dipping, wildlife crafting, a minibeast hunt and a water-themed obstable course.

Curious young minds can learn more about Dartmoor's legendary bogs and the rare and precious creatures and habitats they support such as water-wading snipes, the soggy sphagnum mosses and the beautiful but carnivorous sundew plant.

Andy Bailey, Dartmoor National Park's Outreach and Engagement Officer, said: ‘Meldon Wildlife Festival is a great day out for the family and we're always looking for ways to make it a fun and inspirational event that makes people want to come back year after year.

‘It is so exciting that we're able to team up with our many partners and Peat-Fest South West to help children and young people hear the stories of our peatlands, and their importance for Dartmoor's nature, heritage and our climate’.

As the largest and highest upland in southern Britain, Dartmoor is especially interesting in terms of its wildlife.

It is also an important reserve for species that can withstand harsher conditions including some very rare plants and animals. Dartmoor is particularly noted for rare lichens, butterflies and other insects but is known for its moorland birds, heath and farmland too.

People can make the most of the day by packing a picnic. Some light refreshments will be available on the day, kindly provided by 1st Okehampton Scouts Group with ice creams by Taw River Dairy.

There's also free parking and toilets.

The event is made possible thanks to the support of the landowners Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council and Duchy of Cornwall, and Adventure Okehampton, who lease the land. Meldon Wildlife Festival runs from 10.30am until 4pm.

Meldon Old Quarry is signposted off the B3260 opposite Betty Cottles near Okehampton.