Explore every episode of the podcast Voices of Dartmoor

In this, the first episode of our second series, I was delighted to be joined by not one, but three guests at Postbridge Visitor Centre.

I met Tim Russell, Recreation and Access Projects Officer from the DNPA, Kate Wass, a service user of the Miles without Stiles paths on the moors and Amanda Head, the Vice-Chair of the Dartmoor Access Forum and experienced outdoor educator.

They joined me to talk about the Dartmoor Access Forum, the Wheeled Access Group and the Miles without Stiles initiative run by the park. We discussed what obstacles people might face when it comes to access and why it's so important to promote and improve access to Dartmoor. I also discovered a deep hatred of stiles, shared by all three guests!

You can find information on the things we talked about here:

https://www.dartmoorwags.org/

https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/enjoy-dartmoor/outdoor-activities/accessible-dartmoor/miles-without-stiles\

https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/about-us/meetings-and-committees/dartmoor-local-access-forum

It was a fantastic conversation and a great start to another season in which we're looking forward to talking to a whole host of interesting folk across Dartmoor!

In this episode, we were delighted to be up on Holne Moor with Rob Steemson, a sector ranger from Dartmoor National Park Authority.

Rob joined us to talk about the 75th anniversary of the park being ratified, back in 1951. Rob himself has worked for the park for almost 50 years so was well placed to join us and talk about the occasion.

We discussed the role of the park and it's statutory responsibility, how they balance the needs of the many stakeholders on Dartmoor and how they're celebrating their birthday this year!

We also chatted about some of the features we encountered on our walk, Rob shared some anecdotes from his role, and we pinpointed why Dartmoor is such a unique national park with features and aspects that you just don't find in any other park in the UK.

It was a fascinating and enjoyable conversation and a fantastic way to end season 1 of the Voices of Dartmoor podcast. We hope you enjoyed listening and we hope you come back for season 2 in a month or two!

In this episode, we were delighted to be joined by Geri Skeens, a guide with a particular interest in natural history who specialises in mosses, lichens and the temperate rainforests of Dartmoor.

She joined us in Bovey Down Woods, just outside of Bovey Tracey, to talk about these unique habitats that we are lucky enough to have several of on Dartmoor. We talked about how she came to Dartmoor, her background in nature conservation and she explained what exactly a lichen is!

Her infectious love of nature and wild habitats was evident throughout the conversation and we discussed the work she does on the moors and talked about how people can be mindful of protection whilst visiting these fragile and special landscapes.

You can find out more about Geri and see her upcoming walks over at www.geriskeens.co.uk.

In this episode, I was so delighted to be joined by the wonderful Gillian Healey from Dartmoor Walking Tours in Hembury Woods, just outside of Buckfastleigh.

We went for an early morning stroll, to the backing track of the dawn chorus, to discuss nature connection, land rights and how she found herself working on Dartmoor.

We talked about her involvement in 'The Stars Are For Everyone' campaign, which was set up to protect our right to wild camp on Dartmoor and her subsequent connections with Right to Roam.

We also meandered into talking about the mental health benefits of spending time outside and how she facilitates space for connecting with the land through the walks she leads.

It was a gentle, interesting, and enjoyable conversation and we hope you enjoy listening to it!

In this episode, I was delighted to be walking through the beautiful woods at Lustleigh with Jenny Carden, also known as The Dartmoor Herbalist.

A qualified medicinal herbalist and Hill & Moorland Leader, Jenny has an enviable knowledge base and it was an absolute treat to see her mind at work as we walked through the woods earlier this summer.

We discussed her road to herbalism, the importance of getting to know your local landscape season after season, plant medicine, and the work she does on Dartmoor. We also discussed the barriers of getting out on the moors for those with chronic illnesses and she shared her experience of this.

We talked about foraging, nature connection, accessibility, and she shared some fantastic stories and anecdotes from her life. It was frankly, an absolute pleasure and we so hope you enjoy listening to the episode!

You can find out more about Jenny and the work she does at www.thedartmoorherbalist.wordpress.com.

In this episode, I was delighted to meet Rob Gardner at Hound Tor for a blustery walk and talk. Rob runs Discover Dartmoor, an organisation that runs guided walks and navigation workshops.

We chatted about his earliest navigational experiences, his journey to becoming a Hill & Moorland Leader and the work he does now. We discussed the importance of navigational skills, particularly in a place like Dartmoor, a landscape notoriously difficult to navigate on.

We talked about the place the digital mapping apps have, where they hold value and some of the things people who use them should be aware of. We also discussed the role of social media when it comes to honey pot spots and mused on how you strike a balance.

It was an enjoyable and easy conversation and we hope you enjoy listening to it! You can find out more about Rob and his work at www.discover-dartmoor.co.uk.

In this episode, we were delighted to be joined by the wonderful human being that is Lisa Schneidau. Lisa is a professional storyteller, ecologist, and one of the founders of the Dartmoor Nature Alliance. She is passionate about finding and telling stories that inspire, provoke curiosity and build stronger connections between people and nature.

Lisa joined me at Two Bridges to walk towards Wistman's Wood where we wandered and talked about the tradition of story on Dartmoor, the art of storytelling and her journey into story.

We discussed where these stories and myths have come from, their purpose, themes that run throughout them and how they can be relevant in today's environment. We also touched on how the story of Old Crockern has become a symbol of resistance and hope, and the work that the Dartmoor Nature Alliance does.

It was a really interesting and enjoyable conversation and we're so grateful to Lisa for her time. If you'd like to find out more about the work she does and her upcoming projects, you can do so at https://www.lisaschneidau.co.uk/.

In this episode I was delighted to meet up with the fantastic Paul Rendell, also known as 'Dartmoor Paul'. We found a sheltered spot nestled underneath Bell Tor to enjoy the view on a blustery day and to talk about Paul's life on Dartmoor.

He shared his earliest experience of Dartmoor that ignited his love of this area of the world and his particular interest in Burrator Reservoir and the tragic story surrounding it. We talked about his involvement in the discovery of a Bronze Age burial cist on Cut Hill, the origins of letterboxing and his involvement in this traditional moorland activity.

We also chatted about his work as a Dartmoor guide, his penchant for spooky stories and his passion for conservation. It was a fantastic chat that we really enjoyed having. You can find out more about Paul and his work at www.paulrendelldartmoor.co.uk.

In this episode, we were so delighted to walk from Cold East Cross with Emma Cunis, from Dartmoor's Daughter.

With a wealth of knowledge and a deep love of the land, we could have spoken to Emma about a whole range of different subjects but for this episode we settled on delving into the sacred sites of Dartmoor.

We chatted about the history of these sites, the various theories about them and why people are still drawn to them today. She introduced me to the concept of phenomenology and explained how she blends it with archaeology on her walks.

We also talked about the art of dowsing, the significance of these sites and the role that they play in facilitating connection with the land and our place within it.

It was such an interesting conversation and we're very grateful to Emma for sharing her time and thoughts with us. You can find out more about her work and see her upcoming walks at www.dartmoorsdaughter.com.

In this episode of the podcast, I was delighted to be walking on the moor with Keith Lambeth. Keith is the man behind Out There on Dartmoor and has over 35 years of backpacking and mountaineering experience with over 25 years active service in Dartmoor Search and Rescue team. Most recently, he qualified as an outdoor therapist and will be incorporating this into the work he does on Dartmoor.

Keith joined me to talk about grief and loss within the context of the landscape on Dartmoor. We talked about how the moors can be used as a metaphor for grief, the liminal nature of the space and how the outdoors can be used as a therapeutic tool.

It was such an interesting conversation and we took some delicious tangents off to explore related areas surrounding access, how death is woven into many of the traditional Dartmoor tales and our attitude to death these days.

You can find out more about Keith and the work he does over at www.outthereondartmoor.blogspot.com.

In this episode, I was so delighted to take a stroll alongside the River Dart with the fabulous Sophie Pierce. Sophie is is a writer and broadcaster based on the edge of Dartmoor. She has a deep interest in our relationship with wild places and came to talk to me about her relationship with Dartmoor, how it deepened after the tragic death of her son Felix and the work she does relating to Dartmoor.

It was a gentle and nourishing conversation as we discussed what being outdoors does to the soul, the role of Dartmoor as she navigated an unexpected loss, her love of swimming in wild spaces and talked about her books and the upcoming Dartmoor Tors festival that she's running. It was an absolute pleasure and we hope you enjoy listening.The paperback of Sophie’s memoir, The Green Hill: Letters to a son, is published on April 23rd 2026 with Wilton Square Books.  Sophie is also co-author, with Alex Murdin of Rock Idols: A Guide to Dartmoor in 28 Tors. Together they are co-founders of the Dartmoor Tors Festival, which this year takes place 30th April – 4th May.

You can find out more at www.sophiepierce.co.uk, on Instagram: @mssophiepierce and on Bluesky @smpierce.bsky.social

In this episode, I was so delighted to sit down with the affectionately nicknamed 'Mr Dartmoor', Simon Dell. Simon fell in love with the moors as a young boy and has never been far from them ever since.

Over his extraordinary life, Simon has served as a pacifist police officer (he says he talks enough to subdue anyone into custody!), guided groups of all ages and from all walks of life across the moors and was an integral member of the Tavistock chapter of Dartmoor Search & Rescue, being involved in the development of an innovative new search system and a founding member of the Search & Rescue Dogs Association.

As well as talking to me about all of the above, we discussed the Ten Tors, his recent award from The Dartmoor Society and he shared some of his favourite anecdotes from a lifetime spent on the moors.

It was a captivating and entertaining conversation and one I felt privileged to be part of. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I did speaking to him!

In this, our inaugural episode of Voices of Dartmoor, I was delighted to be joined by Helen Bruce and Albert Knott, both of Dartmoor Preservation Association.

We headed to Swincombe Valley to walk the land and talk about the important work that they do. We discussed the history of the charity, some of their biggest achievements and their goals for the future. Along the way, Albert also shared his ecological expertise with us and pointed out various plants and features for us and the listener.

It was a fantastic meander across this special area of the land and felt like the perfect start to our exploration of all things Dartmoor. To find out more about the work that the DPA do, head over to www.dartmoorpreservation.co.uk.