70 Special Sites for 70 years of Exmoor National Park

Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) is launching a new series of historic blogs to mark its 70th anniversary.

ccook@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk

Dr Lucy Shipley, ENPA’s Historic Environment Record officer is highlighting 70 of Exmoor’s special sites that help to tell the story of Exmoor.

The Exmoor Historic Environment Record (HER) keeps track of over 10,000 archaeological sites and historic buildings to be found within the National Park boundary, recording their history, current condition and keeping abreast of new discoveries.

Lucy said: “We were really excited to highlight 70 of Exmoor’s special sites- some of which are very famous, while others are little known. They’re all fascinating, however, and all help to tell the story of Exmoor.

“The question is: Where do you start telling Exmoor’s story through its sites? Well, for me it’s best to start at the very beginning with some of the oldest archaeology on Exmoor - The Mesolithic! It’s a period of fairly ephemeral remains, usually dated to c.9600 to 4000 BCE, reflecting hunter gatherers moving around the Exmoor landscape”.

History devotees can enjoy blog one on the Mesolithic era and blog two on ‘Exmoor Stone Circles’ here, with more blogs to follow as we lead up to ‘Exmoor Day’ on 19 October and Exmoor National Park’s official 70th birthday.