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EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK |
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The Exmoor National Park straddles West Somerset and North Devon, stretching from the North Devon Coast, near Ilfracombe, towards the Quantock Hills - creating a vibrant collection of varied and inspiring landscapes, punctuated by delightful villages and hamlets.
The Exmoor National Park encompasses over 265 square miles of coastal land, hills, moors and woods, which provides excellent hiking opportunities across wild landscape and among the stone circles and ruins of ancient inhabitants.
The moors contain large deposits of peat, which form bogs due to the high rainfall. Mist and fog can descend very quickly in Exmoor, so a compass is a must for walkers. The peat moors give way to heather uplands, replete with a variety of grasses and plants, such as gorse and whortleberry. Large portions of Exmoor are controlled by the National Trust, notably the Holnicote estate, containing Dunkerry Beacon, the highest point in Exmoor. The National Trust maintaining over 100 miles of walking paths within this vast (12, 500 acres) estate, alone. The Trust publishes a leaflet detailing 14 walks around Dunkerry. Pretty villages dot the Park, such as Dunster and Selworthy, a favourite of postcard and calendar photographers Exmoor is also home to Lorna Doone, the fictional heroine of Victorian author R.D.Blackmore. Blackmore's descriptions of the scenery are so precise that even today it is easy to recognise many of the sites described in his book. The village of Malmstead is a good jumping-off place for visiting "Doone country", and Oare contains the church where Blackmore had Lorna and hero John Ridd marry. Towns and VillagesBrendon The gateway to "Doone Country". A lovely whitewashed and thatched village, surrounded by trees. 'Hoccombe Coombe' can be found nearby- called Doone Valley on account of its resemblance to the Doone's hideout in the novel. You can also visit Badgewrothy Water, where there is a memorial to R D Blackmore, the writer of Lorna Doone Dulverton Situated amongst some of Exmoor's most beautiful scenery, Dulverton is a small market town, with the river Barle flowingthrough it, a 13th cent church tower and a market square. Dunster A quaint, small town with many 'olde world houses', dominated by a 19th century red sandstone castle. The site of Dunster Castle has been occupied for over a thousand years, originally a Norman Castle, sited on what is now the Keep - most of the original castle was replaced in the 19th century except for the 13th century gatehouse. The castle and park were given over to the National Trust in 1976 by Lieutenant Colonel Walter Luttrell whose ancestors had been at Dunster for 600 years. Dunster was a port during the 16th century, but the sea has receded about two miles. Dunster has a wide main street and a 17th century Yarn Market. Dunster becomes very crowded in summer, and as a consequence, probably has more tea shops than anywhere else in Devon. Exford Exford originally developed around a ford in the River Exe, subsequently replaced by a bridge. North of the village is Exford Common which leads onto Dunkerry Beacon - about a five mile trek. Dunkerry Beacon, ownd by the National Trust as is the highest point on Exmoor, with outstanding views over, it is said, 17 counties. Lynmouth
A pretty cottages cluster along the East Lyn River as it runs along a promenade and a small harbour to the sea. A flash flood here in 1952 caused the river to burst its banks, and 31 people were killed . A cliff railway joins Lynmouth to Lynton, 500 feet above. The railway was opened in 1890 and ascends a 1 in 2 incline. Two cars one going up and one going down are "powered" by water ballast being taken aboard at the top and empties at the bottom. Lynton Sitting on top of a 500 dome shaped cliff, overlooking Lynmouth. This mainly Victorian town enjoys spectacular views out to sea. Minehead Once a medieval port, Minehead is now a large traditional seaside resort. There is a wide sweeping bay that offers good bathing. Simonsbath A pretty little village on the River Barle, in the middle of Exmoor. Stoke Pero A small hamlet, home to Exmoor's highest church. A small footpath from stoke pero leads you two miles to Dunkerry Beacon. Winsford (and Tarr Stepps clapper bridge) A lovely little village on the River Exe, with a thatched pub and seven bridges, including a pack horse bridge. Tarr Steps are only 3 miles away, a particularly fine "clapper bridge", consisting of 15 spans of "stepping stones", each weighing around 2 tons and are not local in origin |
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Cleeve
Abbey - Somerset. One of the few thirteenth-century monastic
sites left with such a complete set of cloister buildings. Also
home to fifteenth-century wall paintings of St Catherine and St
Margaret. Following a conservation programme by English Heritage,
the Abbey can now be explored again, but viewing may be restricted
in some areas 
The
park lies on top of a huge sandstone plateau split by deep 'coombes',
or wooden valleys, creating some of the most varied and beautiful scenery
in England. This is an area where you can enjoy peaceful, open spaces,
clean air, heather-clad moors, ancient forests, deep valleys, sparkling
rivers, dramatic coastline, pretty villages and towns and a friendly
welcome. The unique and rare breed of Exmoor pony and large herds of
red deer freely roam the area. In the sky, you will invariably see buzzards
soaring overhead and in the evening you can stalk deer, watch bats or
seek out badgers at sunset. 
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