2025 on Dartmoor: The Moorlander reflects on a year of challenges and progress across the moor

As the New Year begins, The Moorlander reflects on a year that brought familiar rural challenges alongside signs of resilience, activity and local progress.

2025 brought extensive reporting on issues affecting everyday life across the moor, from rising living costs, pressure on rural infrastructure to ongoing concerns around farming and housing.

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The past year saw strong evidence of community engagement and participation. 

Markets, festivals and outdoor events continued to draw residents and tourists alike, helping support local economies and reinforce Dartmoor’s role as both a working landscape for many, but also a place for recreation. 

Coverage of long-established events and significant milestones reflected the importance of tradition and continuity within moorland communities.

Outdoor activity remained a central theme across the moor. 

Events celebrating walking, cycling and adventure sports demonstrated a growing appetite for access to Dartmoor’s landscapes, while also prompting wider conversations about sustainability and responsible use. 

Alongside this, volunteer-led initiatives aimed at improving accessibility helped broaden participation, enabling more people to experience the moor regardless of mobility.

Environmental management was another consistent focus for the region. 

During the year, The Moorlander reported on woodland expansion plans, tree-planting initiatives and peatland and biodiversity projects taking place across Dartmoor and its surrounding areas. 

These schemes highlighted the balance between conservation, climate priorities and the needs of farming and land-based businesses.

Farming and rural livelihoods continued to face uncertainty in 2025. 

Changes in policy, market conditions and environmental expectations shaped discussions across the moor, with residents contributing to consultations and surveys on the future of the National Park.

Dartmoor saw moments of recognition and achievement. 

Several Dartmoor towns and businesses received regional and county-level acknowledgement, reflecting ongoing efforts to maintain  a high quality of life, attract visitors and support the local economy.

Many of the themes seen over the past year are expected to remain central in 2026. 

Housing availability, transport links and access to services are likely to stay high on the agenda for councils and community groups. 

Environmental projects already under way are set to continue, while discussions around tourism management and infrastructure are expected to develop further.

This year has brought change not just to Dartmoor as a region, but also for myself as a journalist. 

From graduating University to now coming into my fourth full month as a reporter for The Moorlander.

In 2026 I hope to continue to champion local voices across the region, and bring the readers a wide-range of local news that matters, whether that be entertainment, political, sport or everyone’s (least) favourite… roads and traffic!

And finally, as always, if you or someone you know has a story that you feel is important for our part of the world, send me an email on jamie.townsend@clearskypublishing.co.uk.