Moorland Guides

I have been walking the hills and mountains of Britain since the early 80s and have been regularly trekking, climbing and skiing the larger mountains for over 25 years.
With almost 28 years active service in Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team (Tavistock), I have seen Dartmoor at its best and worst, many times over! I hold the International Mountain Leader Award and write guidebooks for Cicerone Press as well as leading for Explore in Italy.
I have trained teams for Ten Tors at all distances and I’m usually on the moors most weeks with my wife Sue, a Hill and Moorland Leader, and Beau Beau, our German Shepherd.

After travelling the world for over 15 years, Gillian finally put down roots in Devon over 17 years ago.

She’s always been drawn to the outdoors, noticing the positive effects on mental well-being.

A passionate photographer, she can guide you to some of her favourite views and ‘secret’ spots. Immerse yourself in the beauty of Dartmoor, history, myths & legends and connect with nature.

Gillian also gives her time to nurture the ‘get outside bug’ in the next generation by training young teams for the Ten Tors and Duke of Edinburgh awards.

She’s a qualified Hill and Moorland Leader (HML), Outdoor First Aider and Mental Health First Aider, so you know you’re in safe hands.

I have always been attracted to the great outdoors and I am a part time English teacher.
Some years ago, as part of the military, I took part in expeditions to Snowdonia, the Brecon Beacons and Popocatepetl, Mexico; but more recently I’ve spent time on Dartmoor with DofE and Ten Tors through schools. Since we moved to Devon in 2016 I have rambled all over Dartmoor and have taken the opportunity to renew my outdoor leadership qualifications by completing my HML.
A perfect day on the moor for me would probably involve a Bronze Age site and a dip in a Moorland stream.

Sue retired from 30 years of teaching in both primary and secondary schools in 2020. During her teaching career Sue helped students to participate in the Ten Tors Challenge and assisted her husband when he ran a school trip to the Italian Alps.

Since retiring from teaching Sue has qualified as a Nordic Walking Instructor with British Nordic Walking, become a Duke of Edinburgh Assessor and a Hill and Moorland Leader. Sue is keen to encourage others to learn to Nordic Walk because of the many benefits that this form of exercise offers including the chance to socialise whilst getting fit.

Sue enjoys hill walking, mountaineering and ski touring in various locations including the French, Italian and Swiss Alps, Bolivia, North Wales, the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Peak District, Exmoor and of course Dartmoor.

Colin was born in Wales and is a former Royal Marine, Teacher and Expedition Leader with vast experience of leading groups of all ages and ability. During his teaching he was involved in Ten Tors, the Duke of Edinburgh scheme and all forms of outdoor learning. He is a great believer in the outdoor classroom and is passionate about the great outdoors.

Keith has in the region of 35 years of Backpacking and mountaineering experience with over 25 years active service in Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Ashburton. Keith Grew up in Sussex and moved to Dartmoor in 1992.He now leads and guides small groups and individuals on a variety of public and bespoke hikes and walks. Keith is a passionate explorer of the links between history, legend and landscape of the British Isles and Dartmoor in Particular.

Keith is fully insured and holds the South West Mountain and Moorland Walking Leader and Camping Leader Award and the National Mountain Training Hill and Moorland Leader qualification.

Willem Montagne was born in the Netherlands and grew up and was educated in England. He has a degree in Geography and trained and worked as a teacher. Willem has worked as Dartmoor National Park Education Officer for 26 years and is now retired. He has an excellent working knowledge of Dartmoor, Devon and beyond. His interests range across all aspects of the landscape including Geology, Geomorphology, Natural History, Archaeology, Environmental Education and the cultural heritage, including folklore and the arts. As an experienced guide he has a passion for exploration and adventure and aims to design and provide walks that entertain, challenge and intrigue participants. He has extensive experience of working with young people and adults and enjoys adapting and providing for very different kinds of audiences. He likes working with all age ranges, from pre-school groups to postgraduate university students and beyond. He has also specialized in groups, with or including, people with learning, behavioral and mental health difficulties.

Willem has travelled widely and is very open to working with groups from different cultural back grounds. Although he works mainly in English he is able to communicate well with people with a limited understanding of English and speaks fluent Dutch. Willem’s experience of planning, organizing and leading bespoke walks and educational events is second to none and he would like to use this knowledge to benefit those that wish to understand and enjoy Dartmoor in keeping with the National Park “ethos” and its aims. Guided walks and other events can be designed to include physical challenges, formal field studies, environmental games and arts activities.

Sue is passionate about bringing people and wildlife closer together for their mutual benefit and has spent many years showing people the delights of Dartmoor’s habitats and species.
She is an environmental consultant specialising in conservation policy, environmental assessments and sustainable tourism as well as leading many events for the public and specialist groups.. She worked for the Dartmoor National Park Authority for over 30 years latterly as Director of Conservation and Director of Park Management, heading up a multidisciplinary team working across many disciplines, and formerly as the Park Authority’s ecologist. She is currently the Chair of Natural Devon, the Devon Local Nature Partnership and a trustee of the Devon Wildlife Trust.
Sue is a qualified Hill and Moor Leader, a First Aider and experienced navigator. She has trekked and botanised in many mountain ranges including the Himalayas, the Caucasus, and the Tien Shan.
She lives on Dartmoor in the Teign Valley.

Richard moved to Tavistock in 1985 from the wilds of North Cornwall and immediately started exploring Dartmoor. The remoter the area the more he wanted to explore and find out all he could about the natural beauty, Wildlife and Cultural Heritage. After 25 busy years as Managing Director of the family Landscape Contracting business he decided to give something back so he became a National Park Guide in 2009. He has enjoyed everything about the job since then and has particularly enjoyed the school walks and walks with families. He believes all walks should be fun and one of the main attributes of a Guide should be a good sense of humour.

Hi, my name is Richard Gooding and I am both a Moorland Guide and a Dartmoor National Park Guide. I now live in Plymouth with my wife and two children. My wife and daughter have their own businesses and my son is working with the HM Coastguard Agency. I spent 32 years in the Royal Navy as an engineer and then as a project manager with Babcock. Ever since I was a boy my parents used to take me onto the moor and I have always liked to walk and explore. During my time in the forces we were encouraged to get out and compete in Adventure Training to keep us fit and work as a team. As we travelled the world I wanted to visit more remote areas and take like-minded ships’ personnel to experience life away from the vessel. To do this I qualified as a mountain leader (Joint Service Expedition Leader (MLT)) which enabled me to plan my own expeditions and excursions. I completed and attained the Mountain Bike Instructor and Assessor award for wild country terrain to give people who had never tried mountain biking the ability to attain a level where they would feel competent on a bike over rough ground.
Since retiring I have enjoyed spending time walking, camping and biking on the moor and decided to use these skills in joining the Dartmoor National Park and Moorland Guides. I love taking people out and being able to show just how interesting and fascinating Dartmoor can be with a sense that I am giving something back to the community. Dartmoor is a unique place on our doorstep with a fantastic history that can be seen and shared.
Getting out for a walk with a qualified guide can give all a sense of well-being as well as the knowledge about a place we all need to care for and cherish.
All Moorland guides are helpful, informative people who love the moor and are willing to help you in any way possible to make your experience a safe and pleasurable one. I look forward to meeting you soon.