5 great destinations on Exmoor

The Exmoor National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the South West of England and with its abundance of coastal towns and villages, provides an endless source of activities, whether you want to have an adventure or spend time relaxing.

Here are five great destinations to visit while on Exmoor.

Lynton and Lynmouth

It might be cheating to mention these two together, but you can’t really visit one without the other! Lynton can be found on the top of the valley and is full of quaint shops and beautiful views, while Lynmouth sits below it on the water’s edge. It isn’t hard to see why this area is known as Little Switzerland. You’ll also find Valley of Rocks to the side of them – this rock collection is stunning and home to a herd of feral goats, as well as views across the sea.

Want to visit both of them? You can either drive between the two, walk the path down the cliff or take a trip on the historical cliff railway.

Porlock

Over the border in Somerset, this pretty town feels like stepping back in time, especially when you reach the centre, where you’ll find Culbone Church, which is the smallest in England and a coaching inn which dates back to the 16^th century. Closer to the coast, there are plenty of chances to see the Exmoor ponies, a historical harbour and some lovely views of the greenery alongside the shore.

Watersmeet

Back on the North Devon side of Exmoor, Watersmeet can be found on a National Trust managed area of the National Park. It sits along the East Lyn River and there are some lovely walks around the river. The current is quite strong, which creates some amazing rapids and waterfalls, but can be a bit dangerous to those that aren’t strong swimmers. There is a particularly popular tea house located along the river’s edge which is well known throughout the county for its cream teas and there are few spots better than this to enjoy one.

Dunkery Beacon

If you want to see the best views, this is the place to go. Dunkery Beacon is the highest point on Exmoor, sitting at around 1,704 ft – that’s cute. On a clear day, you can see across to Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor and even bits of Wales.

Wistlandpound Reservoir

Considering how secluded this place is, it might surprise you how close to Barnstaple it is. Wistlandpound Reservoir is surrounded by beautiful paths that take you through the Spruce plantations and around the edge of the lake. The paths are signposted and feature activities as you make your way around, making it a good place to take the whole family – it’s also an excellent spot for bird watching, as it is home to everything from waterfowl to birds of prey.

Want to find more places to visit in and around Exmoor, you can find more information to help you plan your trip below.