Life of Exmoor nature writer Hope Bourne recognised with exhibition | Wildlife

It was considered an eccentric by some, bringing out a frugal existence on a wild English moor, surviving the earth and exchanging its sketches of the countryside for meals.

But the first exhibition of the museum on the life and work of the writer and artist of nature largely forgotten Hope Bourne underlines that her opinions on the environment, recycling, access to the countryside – even rewilding – were ahead of his time.

The exhibition, open to the Rural Somerset Life Museum in Glastonbury, says that Bourne, who died in 2010 at the age of 91, should be considered a nature writer and an environmental champion.

Sara Hudston, co-commissioner, said: “Hope Bourne was one of the greatest writers of the 20th century nature, whose work was unfairly neglected. His ecological consciousness, his rejection of materialism and his close relationship with the natural world are increasingly relevant. She had very avant-garde ecological thoughts. ”

Bourne has spent decades to record the landscape, fauna, history and evolution of rural traditions of Exmoor. His writing provided a small and precarious income.

Hudston said: “She was incredibly frugal. She reused everything. Many of her works were on the back of the envelopes and racing lists. She lived very slightly on earth. She was very concerned even in the 1970s with saving water.” There was also perhaps a practical reason – when she lived in a caravan, she had to transport water from a spring on the hillside.

Today, the redesign takes place around the world, but Bourne spoke of these projects half a century ago. “She called it the impossible dream and recommended to reintroduce brown bears, wolves and the lynx,” said Hudston.

Bourne was also interested in another subject who feels very current – the right to travel. “She felt that people should have free access to Exmoor – as long as they were on foot or were on horseback,” said Hudston. “And you could camp as long as it was not deleterious for fauna.

“I think many people have considered him an eccentric local character.

“Her inspiration for her creative work was so linked to Exmoor but it was a difficult place to live, it was not an idyll. She said that she did not want people to think that she was a kind of idealistic back to nature. She lived in this way because she had to do it.

Among the objects loaned for the exhibition are the Bourne paraffin lamp, the Roberts radio, the compass, the twins and the Swiss army knife. There will be exhibitions of his landscape sketches, his personal newspapers and his published works.

The exhibition A life outside: Hope Bourne on Exmooris created in partnership with the Surprise SUSMORwho takes care of Hope L Bourne collection. It extends from September 27 as of January 10, 2026.

Hudston’s book A life outside: Hope Bourne on Exmoor will be published next year.