Discover some Secret Wartime History as Exmoor Spring Walking Festival unveils some fascinating themed walks

The 2014 North Devon and Exmoor Walking Festival (26 April to 4 May 2014) has some surprises in store with several new walks offering a different perspective on the peaceful moors that seem so familiar today. www.exmoorwalkingfestival.co.uk

Exmoor at War (2 May £3) is a short but very informative new moorland walk. It is well-known that 70 years ago Exmoor was one of the training grounds used by troops ahead of D Day, but who knew that chemical weapons training was once carried out near Brendon Two Gates? The Brendon Hills also rang to the sound of more than 200 workers toiling in the mines and on the railway taking iron ore from the hills to Watchet Harbour for shipping to Wales. Learn about this fascinating history and marvel at the Victorian engineering on the West Somerset Mineral Line walk (27 Apr Free)

The Festival offers a choice of over 36 guided walks ranging from short strolls to challenging full day walks, all showcasing North Devon and Exmoor and the surrounding countryside to its very best advantage.

More than a third of the walks are new this year including Combe Martin's Silver Days walk (26 April £6) which explores the story of the town's silver mines, once a key part of the Royal coffers, and the intriguingly-named Bottoms, Scruffets and Castles (3 May £8) takes walkers in and around Dunster and includes ascents, descents and amazing views.

For those who enjoy a good discussion as they stride along there is an opportunity to join the Talking Book Club (2 May £3). Participants are asked to read The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot by Robert Macfarlane beforehand, and the book will be discussed whilst enjoying the beautiful scenery around Dulverton along the way.

The Lundy Island Discovery walk (26 April £39 adults; £22 Children including boat ticket) is making a welcome re-appearance at the Festival. Lying 12 miles off the North Devon coast this unspoilt island, undisturbed by cars, is home to a fascinating array of wildlife amidst dramatic coastal scenery. Exploring with a knowledgeable guide means that walkers will uncover Lundy's history as well as discover the best places to spot the flora and fauna of this peaceful paradise.

The popular Abandoned Exmoor; Flowerpot Men, Secret Covesand Old Mill as well as the intriguingly named Talking Trees guided walks are all back this year too.

The longest stretch is the Classic Exmoor Walk at 10.9 miles (28 Apr £8). A spectacular route above Lynmouth which encompasses all that is so breathtaking on Exmoor in the spring and a fitting way to laud the National Park's 60th anniversary this year.

Festival Organiser Bryan Cath says, "I would like to thank all our guides, wardens and rangers for their continued support. The Festival would not be able to continue without support from the Exmoor National Park, the National Trust and the Crown Estate Dunster. To help keep costs down for the Festival many of the guides are offering their services for free. This has enabled us to keep the Festival going and I am most grateful to those guides. It's going to be a good year."

For more information on the Walking Festival visit www.exmoorwalkingfestival.co.uk and for more things to see and do and places to stay in the area see www.Visit-Exmoor.co.uk

For further information about the Exmoor Tourism Partnership, contact Dan James, Sustainable Economy Manager at Exmoor National Park Authority (DTJames@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk / 01398 323 665)

For further press information, interviews or hi res images, contact Jane Adkins, A Head for PR, T/: 01935 813114 or E/: jane@aheadforpr.co.uk

April 2014 (VE 03)