Are you ready for the Exmoor Perambulation on Saturday, 21 June 2025?

When runABC South news correspondent Alan Newman heard about this 725-year-old tradition, he was immediately transported back to his days as a Cadet Training Instructor for Thames Valley Police. The 'Exmoor Expedition' was a rite of passage for the young people in his charge. One activity was the search exercise... 

Before Elf 'n Safety ruled the world, Sergeant Newman would 'go missing' at midnight and the party of Cadets would be turned out of their cosy tents by the PTI, have to get organised, select a leader and conduct a structured search until he was found – often halfway up a tree!

The main activity was a five-day backpacking tour of Exmoor, followed by relaxing at Croyde Bay. The Police Cadets then compiled a project folder in teams to illustrate their experiences, complete with original artwork, handwritten, and submitted on deadline—good discipline for future cops!

But we digress, back to the subject. This will be the 65th edition of Exmoor Perambulation. The Perambulation is Exmoor National Park’s iconic, self-navigated, circular, long-distance walking event that can trace its origins back to the reign of Edward I. The 30-mile route follows the boundary of the Royal Forest at the time of its sale in 1818.

Although primarily a walking event, entries from runners are positively encouraged. Everybody pays the same £30 entry fee, and you can choose to walk or run the full Perambulation or the 15-mile half-distance option (and you can decide on the day). The halfway point is at Picked Stones Lane, where you’ll be greeted by the ‘Miles‘ tea stop to enjoy a brew while waiting for the complimentary minibus service back to the start/finish point at the Pinkery Centre for Outdoor Education. 

One great aspect of this event is that much of the route is accessible only with the landowners' permission, so you’ll access parts of the National Park not normally open to the public. Entries are strictly limited to 500 to minimise the impact on the beautiful Exmoor National Park landscape.

If you would like further information, visit Channel Events Exmoor Perambulation here.

You can enter directly via the runABC South race listing here.

Photo courtesy of Channel Events on Facebook