About the event

About Dartmoor Estate Tea:

In 2015, Jo Harper and Kathryn Bennett took the plunge to cultivate a non-native plant on their 13 acre small-holding on the south-facing slopes of the Ashburn Valley. The choice was Camellia Sinensis, the end product, a high quality cup of Devon Estate tea.

“We’ve reverted an over-grazed pasture to wildflower meadows. Bluebells and early purple orchids flourish here in late spring. We’ve planted wild cherry trees, nuts and soft fruits – even szechuan pepper – alongside tea. When introducing a non native species it’s important to protect and support the natural ecology and commit to constant monitoring of its impact on the surrounding area. With our native hedges, wild flowers, mixed food sources and habitats we have recorded increased biodiversity levels amongst our soil and plant life and also of reptiles, insects, birds and small mammals.”

Find out more. Visit Dartmoor Estate Tea

About John Walters:

John Walters is a life long naturalist who explores the natural world through field sketching, photography and video. He grew up on Hayling Island in Hampshire and has lived on Dartmoor since 1990.

He works as an ecologist, artist and public speaker and is based in Buckfastleigh. He has published several books and guides including The Wildlife of Dartmoor and has appeared in many television and radio programmes.

We are very fortunate to have John guide us through the wildlife in this unusual setting.

For more information about John and his work please visit: www.johnwalters.co.uk