The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouth’s city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
This film is part of Free
Dartmoor Ponies
Dartmoor ponies go wild on the moors
In partnership with:
Overview
This is a film of the ponies that live in a semi feral state on Dartmoor. Dartmoor ponies are a hardy breed and deal with the harsh climate of the moors. Traditionally ponies were used as working horses in local tin mines and quarries. Ponies have lived on Dartmoor for centuries and from the 1900s to the 1960s were bred at Dartmoor Prison and used to escort the prisoners. The ponies belong to Dartmoor farmers and are cared for with extra food put out in the winter.
Dartmoor became a National Park in 1951 and the pony was chosen as its emblem for its unique character and long rural history of inhabiting the moors. The Dartmoor pony adds to a visitor's enjoyment, is part of the area’s cultural heritage and is used for conservation grazing. There is the native pony, the pure-bred Dartmoor pony, often seen at shows and the Shetland pony. The Shetland is not local to Dartmoor but was introduced in the early 20th century. They are not truly wild animals and may sometimes bother picnickers for food. They are a popular riding breed for children.
Related
Watch for free
The Way to the West The Way to the West
Travelogue 1947 17 mins Silent Location: Cheddar Gorge
Hitchcock went the wrong way! Head south by southwest with this travelogue from Bath to Cornwall.
Watch for free
Postbridge Clapper Bridge Postbridge Clapper Bridge
Current affairs 1963 1 mins Silent Location: Dartmoor
Dartmoor's foremost Saxon bridge receives traditional repair.
Watch for free
Recollections of Our Summer Holiday at Babbacombe South Devon August 1931 Recollections of Our Summer Holiday at Babbacombe South Devon August 1931
Amateur film 1931 10 mins Silent Location: Babbacombe
Bowling along country lanes in the family's Austin motor car plus dancing on the beach: the delights of a holiday in Devon
Watch for free
Cricketers visit Dartmoor Prison Cricketers visit Dartmoor Prison
News 1968 0 mins Silent Location: Dartmoor
Ex-England, England and County Cricketers visit Dartmoor Prison
Watch for free
Dartmoor Pony Trekking Dartmoor Pony Trekking
Current affairs 1962 4 mins Location: Dartmoor
A group of riders unbridle their passion for horses and moors
Watch for free
Dartmoor Ten Tors Dartmoor Ten Tors
Current affairs 1976 1 mins Silent Location: Dartmoor
Young people take the Ten Tors challenge on Dartmoor
Watch for free
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Watch for free
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.