DATE: Tuesday 25th August
TIME: 12.30 - 4pm
LOCATION: Meet at Lorna Doone Valley car park. Grid reference: SS791, 478
COST: Pay what you can - suggested cost £5.00
Booking required in advance.

Join East Quay and Queer Nature Club South West for a late-summer walk through the beautiful Doone Valley, following Badgworthy Water through the heart of Exmoor and ‘Doone Country’. The walk will be led by East Quay Curator and Wild Swimming writer and guide George Harwood Smith, alongside artist and Queer Nature Club founder Daniel Baker-Wells.

Who is it for?
This walk is for the LGBTQIA+ community, friends and allies, and anyone interested in exploring and connecting with nature through a ‘queer’ perspective.

About the walk
Situated in the heart of Exmoor National Park, the Doone Valley is closely associated with R.D. Blackmore’s famous novel Lorna Doone.

We’ll walk through a beautiful and atmospheric landscape of ancient oak trees and mossy temperate rainforest, following the river past bubbling pools and on towards the ruins of a medieval village. Along the way, we’ll learn about the valley’s birdlife, trees, wildlife and landscape. We’ll also stop at some lovely river swimming spots, with the option to take a dip for anyone who fancies it.

We’ll finish back at The Buttery Café & Riverside Gardens in Malmsmead.

Travel & parking
Please note: the meeting point is only accessible by car. Parking is available at the National Trust car park in Malmsmead. If you would like to join but don’t have access to a car, please let us know and we can explore possible travel options.

Accessibility & terrain
The walk is approximately 5 miles long and covers a mixture of grassy, rockyand moderately hilly terrain. Unfortunately, the route is not suitable for wheelchairusers or people with limited mobility.

If you have any questions about whether the walk will besuitable for you, please get in touch before the event.

What to bring
Please come prepared for changeable Exmoor weather. We recommend bringing:

• Appropriate walking shoes or walking boot
• A bottle of water
• Snacks
• A waterproof jacket
• A warm layer
• Swimwear and a towel if you'd like to swim

Age
This event is for adults aged 18+.
Young people aged 16–17 are also welcome when accompanied by an adult aged 18+.

Questions & access
If you have any questions about access, travel, the walk, swimming or anythingelse, please get in touch with Lottie: lottie@containsart.co.uk

Please book in advance via the link below: