Stay and discover Exmoor National Park
Coastal Pubs | Country Pubs | Countryside | Featured | Outdoor Activities | Pub | Pub Accommodation | Walking | Water Sports | Posted 2024.05.01
Exmoor National Park is a unique landscape of rolling moorland, beautiful coastlines, ancient woodlands, and winding rivers. It’s one of 15 national parks in the UK and covers 267 square miles across Somerset and Devon.
The history of the national park goes back as far as the Ice Age, approximately 12,000 years ago, when the climate conditions allowed for vegetation to grow within the park. About 4,000 years later, Exmoor became predominantly covered in oak woodland. However, the national park’s landscape faced major changes when man began to settle in the region, as agricultural ‘technology’ and ways of life evolved. The outcome of this, has contributed to the wonderful diversity seen at Exmoor today.
Exmoor is the ideal place for all sorts of outdoor activities in the Southwest of England. With plenty of opportunities for walking, star gazing, wildlife spotting and so much more. In this blog, we will explore the park’s highlights and provide recommendations for pubs in the area, ensuring you have the perfect base to discover the best of this enchanting region.
Activities to enjoy in Exmoor National Park
Walking
Exmoor National Park has over 1000km of footpaths and bridleways. The National Park offers so many scenic walks, whether you want to walk across moorlands covered with flora, hike coastal paths with ocean views, or walk through ancient woodlands along flowing streams and waterfalls.
Here are just a couple popular walking trails that you might want to consider when visiting the national park:
The Valley of Rocks : Well-known for its unusual rock formations and caves, this walk takes you on a wander along the coastline.
Combe Martin: Taking you from Combe Martin’s lovely beach to the hills behind the village, this walk offers stunning panoramic views down the valley to the sea.
Dulverton and Tarr Steps : Explore hills, ridges and moorland above Dulverton before returning to the town along the River Barle.
Bossington Hill : This walk is best for providing you with stunning views of the Exmoor coast, Porlock Vale and the hills around Dunkery Beacon.
For a comfortable stay and hearty meals after a day of walking at Exmoor, consider staying at The Exmoor Forest Inn or The Royal Oak. These two beautiful pubs, with rooms in the heart of Exmoor, are the ideal bases for exploring Exmoor’s walking trials.
For more information on walking in Exmoor click this link: Exmoor Walking Map
Star gazing
Exmoor National Park was designated as Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve in 2011. The park has some of the darkest skies in the UK. On cloudless nights stargazers can see thousands of stars and astronomical sights like the Milky Way with the naked eye.
Make sure to participate in the Exmoor Dark Skies Festival, from mid to late October. You can enjoy lots of stargazing events and activities. Even if you miss the event, stargazing can be an exceptional experience all year round.
Here are a couple popular spots to stargaze in Exmoor:
Exmoor Dark Sky Discovery Trail
The Exmoor White Horse Inn, located on the banks of the River Exe, is as a great spot to access some of Exmoor’s best stargazing locations, due to its central position. This award-winning pub provides more than just a convenient base. The pub offers a range of characterful bedrooms and a welcoming dining area with a cosy atmosphere.
Water Activities
From the sandy shores of Combe Martin and Minehead to the rocky cliffs of Heddon Valley and Lynmouth, visitors can enjoy so many different types of water activities in Exmoor National Park.
The Crown Hotel and Old Ship Aground, located along the coastline, offer comfortable accommodations for exploring these various costal activities along the park’s coastline.
In Exmoor some of the best beaches for swimming include: Watermouth Cove Beach, Hele Bay, Combe Martin Beach, and Minehead Beach.
Coasteering is an exhilarating activity you can enjoy in Exmoor. You will traverse cliffs, explore caves, and encounter marine wildlife. All whilst taking in the stunning views of Exmoor’s coastline.
For experienced surfers, head over to Lynmouth. But beginners should head to the other surf hotspots like Saunton Sands, Croyde, and Woolacombe, where the waters cater to surfers of all levels. These beaches offer equipment hire and surfing lessons.
Note: Exmoor has some of the highest tides in the world and its’ rivers run up to Grade 4+. You should take to the water with a qualified activity provider, unless you are competent and experienced for the conditions.
Wildlife spotting
Exmoor National Park is great place for wildlife spotting. Due to its diverse landscapes, it provides habitats for so many animals.
Exmoor Ponies are one of the most iconic animals to spot in the national park, where they graze freely on the moors. Another series of animal to spot is the Red Deer roaming Exnoor’s hills and valleys. Exmoor is home England’s largest herds of wild red deer. Birdwatchers can witness sightings of raptors like buzzards, red kites, sparrowhawks, and goshawks soaring overhead.
Accommodations such as The Royal Oak Inn, The Tarr Farm and The Rest and Be Thankful Inn provide great bases for exploring the park’s wildlife.
It’s important to remember to observe animals from a safe distance and to not disturb them.
Find out more information on pubs with rooms in and around Exmoor National Park.
Written by Issy Matthews
