We rely on volunteers to get involved and help undertake valuable work. From practical countryside management, wildlife surveying and controlling invasive species, to inputting data through to helping in public-facing roles in our National Park Centres and at public events.
Volunteers complement our staff effort and increase the amount we can achieve together.
Take a look at our current volunteer opportunities below. If you are interested in applying for one of these roles, click the 'Fill in an application' button, within the details of the role.
If time is short, have a look at our micro volunteering roles on our Look Wild on Exmoor page on Eventbrite. These seasonal activities are easy to sign up for and require no ongoing commitment.
For more general enquiries contact getinvolved@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk.
Get involved with the Simonsbath - Ashcombe Garden Volunteers. This lost Garden was designed and started by John Knight in the early 1800's but never finished. The garden represents one of the last Picturesque landscapes in England but it’s original vision was never completed. Traces of garden terraces, bridges and paths remain, but very little is known about the overall plan for the gardens. We are now working on uncover and reawaken this landscape, making it a welcome space for visitors to explore.
Focuses of activity vary from practical ground work, planting, through to historical research and ongoing maintenance of the garden.
We are looking to help people train up to help use scythes. free training can be given, and we will then ask volunteers to help manage some of our hard to reach meadows and possibly to help clear overgrown paths.
Role Title
Historic Signpost Refurbishment Officers
Main Activity
To keep a watching brief of Exmoor's Cast Iron road side signposts carrying out repairs as necessary within the limits on the scheme.
We are looking for volunteers to work as part of a team to clean and repaint signposts across Exmoor. Training will be provided on how to carry out this work safely and with appropriate equipment.
You can sign up to one or more of the signposts listed below. Once you are signed up, accepted and trained you'll be asked to adopt that sign post(s) for a period of at least 3 years. During this time you'll keep a watching brief on the sign,
Some of the signs may be outside to scope of the training (too fast/busy road) In this case keep a watching brief and report the problem back to the parish council to arrange works. (some money may be available to the parish through the national park Caremoor fund, although this is limited and not guaranteed)
As a trained volunteer you'll also have access to social events for all Exmoor volunteers and an email support group for the Historic Signpost Volunteers. Through this email group you'll be able to request help to work on a sign (to avoid loan working) or to share resources such as tools or paint.
Location
Every parish within the Somerset part of Exmoor National Park and those within the Exmoor and Dulverton electoral division.
Time Commitment
We ask for a minimum commitment of three years, but for one sign you may only volunteer 2 or 3 times a year.
We cleaned and repainted all the signs during the summers of 2017 and 2018. This is
now an on going project to keep them in shape, clean and repaint as needed.
Skills/Ability needed
You will need to attend a training day to cover health and safety guidance as you will be carrying out work on a highway, this must be completed before carrying out any work. Previous experience of any kind of painting work would be an advantage but not essential.
What you need to bring
You will need to wear stout shoes and old clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty! We will provide all the safety equipment and paint, brushes etc required to complete the task. Volunteers will need their own transport.
What’s in it for you
The opportunity to attend a training day and to contribute to the process of refurbishing historic signposts across Exmoor. There will be great job satisfaction when the work is complete and the signposts in your area are restored back to their former splendour. You'll also have access to the Exmoor national park volunteer network, training program and social events.
Woodland is integral to the many special qualities which help define the character of the National Park. Our tree nursery in Exford is an important part of efforts to increase tree cover on the moor, supporting our ambitions for nature recovery and helping woodlands and landscapes become resilient to climate change and diseases.
Volunteers are a vital part of the support team for the nursery, working along staff from our Woodlands Team. We have a range of volunteer opportunities for people to learn more about trees, assist with seed collection & propagation, help with day-to-day activities at the nursery and with aftercare of newly planted trees in our local woods.
The Exmoor Pioneers project seeks to connect people to the natural and cultural heritage of the former Royal Forest in the heart of Exmoor, support nature recovery, protect heritage at risk, and develop the skills needed to support this landscape in the future.
We will host a wide range of volunteering opportunities within the Exmoor Pioneers project. Whether you’re interested in seed sowing and horticultural tasks, habitat creation for priority species, event support, mapping of heritage sites through remote sensing, community excavations, or archival research, there will be something for everyone. Register with us to be kept up to date with exciting new opportunities to get involved with this project.
Exmoor Pioneers seeks to nurture and grow local talent to support the development of skills that can sustain the natural and cultural heritage of Exmoor. Exmoor Pioneers is for everyone, and we will host many events and volunteer opportunities where everyone is welcome. But we recognise there are specific challenges some groups face to accessing or experiencing wild places and this is something we’re trying to tackle. We have some specific focus audiences: young people (including young people with disabilities), families (including those from low-income backgrounds), Global Majority groups (including black and minority ethnic groups), older residents facing social isolation or poor wellbeing, and local residents in general who do not currently engage with Exmoor.
Ever wondered what lies hidden beneath Exmoor’s rolling hills and wooded valleys? The Living Landscapes – Exmoor Pioneers lidar portal project is your chance to uncover the secrets of the past using remote sensing technology. Discover lost settlements, trackways, and field systems - through an interactive online portal.
Ideal volunteering from home opportunity.
Training and Support provided
On the portal website you will find great training videos to take you through the process of understanding what Lidar is, how it works and how you can begin making archaeological discoveries on Exmoor.
We are running an online evening workshop on Thurs 22nd Jan to discuss findings and give support to new users of the portal.
Field Visits
Once discoveries are made, you will have the chance to get your boots on and explore your findings alongside heritage experts, helping us to gain deeper insights into Exmoor’s past. Be part of the journey and help bring Exmoor’s lost heritage to light!
How to get started
Click here to register your interest on our form. Our Heritage Ranger, Kimberley Colman will then be in touch with details of how to access the Lidar portal.
This Role has 2 parts. Firstly site based in your own time, searching for and recording wildlife on iNaturalist. Secondly home based, looking for others records on iNaturalist. And helping to improve the data set. It's assumed most people will do both parts of this role, but there are options to do one or the other.
Time Commitment- as and when
Location- Home, anywhere on Exmoor
You will arrive at site for around 0930, carry out a litter pick around the area. Then from 10am run a stand to hand out leaflets, and give visitors information.
Time Commitment- 10 days a year, at weekends and in the school holidays.
Location- Tarr Steps, Simonsbath.
Himalayan Balsam Control Volunteer
Pulling this plant up along riverbanks, as part of organised groups or in you own time.
Time Commitment- 3-6days a year in July and August
Location- Withypool, Tarr Steps, Winsford.
Short term footprint, hair and nut surveys, and long term dormouse box checking.
Time Commitment- 5 days for the short term surveys, 15 days a year for the box checking
Location- Simonsbath, Luxborough, Tarr Steps.
These happen on an ad hoc basis. minibus pick up from Barnstaple. we drive onto exmoor, and carry out a range of tasks, including practical days and surveying. These days are aimed at 18 to 25 year olds.
signup for this to be sent alerts when we have a day running
These happen on an ad hoc basis. minibus pick up from Minehead. We drive onto exmoor, and carry out a range of tasks, including practical days and surveying. These days are aimed at 18 to 25 year olds.
signup for this to be sent alerts when we have a day running.
Basic training is available to all volunteers.
People who are not regularly volunteering on Exmoor may be asked to make a donation to Caremoor for Exmoor.
See course details below for more information.
| Activity | Shifts | Start | End | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volunteer Coffee Mornings | 2 | 2/27/2026 | 5/8/2026 | |
Every year Staff and volunteers help hundreds of school children and families to visit and learn about Exmoor. We need volunteers to help in different capacities
We are currently recruiting volunteers for a new Activity Assistant role at our National Park Centre in Lynmouth. If you are interested in this role click on the following link for more details https://bttr.im/i64mb
| Activity | Shifts | Start | End | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Park Centre Activity Assistant Lynmouth | 1 | |||
Woodland is integral to the many special qualities which help define the character of the National Park. Our tree nursery in Exford is an important part of efforts to increase tree cover on the moor, supporting our ambitions for nature recovery and helping woodlands and landscapes become resilient to climate change and diseases.
On site at the tree nursery we have a covered and secure work area, with saplings growing in pots and in cultivation beds and ambitions to work towards a throughput of 10,000 trees per year.
As these plants mature they will allow us to increase production of infrequent, declining, rare and Exmoor endemics, with trees supplying ENPA’s own and other local community woodlands.
Volunteers are a vital part of the support team for the nursery, working along staff from our Woodlands Team. We have a range of volunteer opportunities for people to learn more about trees, assist with seed collection & propagation, help with day-to-day activities at the nursery and with aftercare of newly planted trees in our local woods.
| Activity | Shifts | Start | End | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tree Nursery Activity Days | 3 | 2/20/2026 | 3/20/2026 | |
Get Involved, working in collaboration with partner organisations to promote, support and develop of a wide range of opportunities, helping more people to enjoy, learn about and help look after Exmoor National Park.
