MORE than 80 business owners, entrepreneurs, and community leaders attended the annual Rural Enterprise Exmoor Networking Day organised by the national park authority in Dunster Tithe Barn.

The event had been designed to share ideas and strengthen the business community across Exmoor and was hailed by organisers as ‘a wonderful business networking event with inspiring speakers’.

The day featured case studies from local businesses such as Good Vibe Veg and Best of Exmoor, and speakers included Harry Singer, chief executive of Singer Instruments and chairman of Somerset Growth Board.

Other speakers included Visit Exmoor director Emma Thomasson, and Katherine Williams, of the Exmoor Hill Farming Network.

National park enterprise and communications manager Dan James told the audience: “The day is about more than just information sharing.

“It is about connecting as a community, inspiring one another, and equipping ourselves to face the unique challenges and opportunities of doing business on Exmoor.”

The day saw the launch of Exmoor’s new ‘Good Tourism Plan’, developed with partners across the sector, to encourage everybody to enjoy and benefit from Exmoor while contributing to the wellbeing of its communities and landscapes.

Mr James said: “It was great to see and speak with so many Exmoor local businesses and we hope everybody found it useful and inspiring.

“We were really encouraged by the positivity in the room and some of the feedback we have had.

“It was wonderful to hear so many stories showcasing the resilience, creativity, and passion that define Exmoor’s business community.

“Our thanks, also, for the generous support of the Heart of the South West Growth Hub.”

Copies of the presentation materials and a summary video of the event can be accessed on the national park’s website.

Details of the 2026 networking day will be announced via ‘Rural Enterprise Exmoor’ updates and the national park’s social media.