Beowulf: Hugh Lupton at Moor Barton Wilding

Dartmoor Storytellers and Moor Barton Wilding present

Beowulf by Hugh Lupton

Beowulf is the oldest story in the English language – and it still has the power to raise the hairs on the back of the neck! It tells of a hero’s life, a life that is mapped by three tremendous blood-curdling encounters.

As a young man Beowulf defeats the monster Grendel and his even more terrifying Mother, the original creatures from the Black Lagoon. Then, as an old man, he tries his strength against a gold guarding Fire-Drake (a dragon). Alongside these adrenalin-charged encounters the story explores the journey we all make from the seeming invincibility of youth to the heroic vulnerability of old age.

The story has had a tremendous effect on the imagination of many writers and poets, most notably J.R.R. Tolkien. Without Beowulf there would have been no Lord of the Rings.

Hugh Lupton is an award-winning storyteller, performer and author. He is also a poet and lyricist. His work spans over 35 years, working on both solo projects and in partnership with other artists, writers, musicians, illustrators and performers. He has toured both nationally and internationally and has performed at the RSC, the National Theatre and the Barbican, as well as at schools, community venues and arts centres the length and breadth of Britain. His repertoire ranges from Greek epic to Grimms Fairy Tales, from Norse and Celtic myth to East Anglian folk-tales, from the Great War to John Clare. Thematically his work often explores our place in the landscape and the deep cultural memories we carry. Hugh is based in Norfolk.

This is the third of a series of Wild Stories events on Dartmoor in the summer of 2026: we aim to showcase amazing storytelling in extraordinary places. It is hosted jointly by Dartmoor Storytellers and Moor Barton Wilding.

Age suitability 16+. No dogs please. If you need to bring an assistance dog please let us know beforehand.

This event will be in the woods, held outdoors around the fire under the shelter of White Deer Lodge at Moor Barton. Come prepared for the outdoors with suitable clothing and footwear. Refreshments will be available, and there are compost toilets. You can park nearby; there is a short walk to the venue, with an earth path which can be uneven underfoot.

Details of how to get to the site, and what to bring, will be sent through to all ticket holders near to the date of the event.

Moor Barton Wilding CIC is a 120 acre project on the north east shoulder of Dartmoor dedicated to rewilding land and people. The land is made up of a mosaic of ecologically rich habitats - including wood pasture, hazel coppice, transitional edge and wildflower glades, closed canopy woodland, wetland, veteran trees and conifer woodland - and is a key site on Dartmoor for species reintroduction. Believing that humans are part of nature with a key role to play in restoring our ecological systems, Moor Barton engages communities near and far, offering many opportunities to learn about and get involved in different aspects of rewilding. https://www.moorbarton.org/