Exmoor National Park
As we say in our logo … we are just Minutes to the Moors 😊
Exmoor National Park is just 10 miles East of Ilfracombe with its beautiful landscape of rolling hills, moors and woodlands. Exmoor is the only moor in the country that goes right up to the sea and there are magnificent views from the high points right across the Bristol Channel to South Wales. If you are lucky you will often spot herds of wild Exmoor ponies and long-horned cattle and, if you are very lucky, stags and deer.
Whenever we get a few hours spare we often drive up onto the moors and can recommend some excellent shortish walks and also some nice circular drives where you can get the best scenery from.
A visit to Lynton and Lynmouth is a must and is known as “England’s little Switzerland” because of the deep wooded gorge. Lynton is perched at the top with Lynmouth down below and the historic funicular Cliff railway joins the two. The railway is highest and steepest totally water powered railway in the world and is a feat of Victorian engineering. Try to stand on the front plate if you can to experience the ride at its best.
From Lynton it is just short walk or drive to the Valley of the Rocks, reputed to be the highest sea cliffs in Britain, they are made up of really strange rock formations and are home to a number of wild goats. The valley is stunning and a great place to start various coast and clifftop walks.
Both villages have a number of lovely shops, art and craft galleries and numerous tea rooms. The East and West Lyn Rivers both join at the bottom through the Glen Lyn Gorge and run through Lynmouth to the sea. The Exmoor National Park Visitor Centre is here and is well worth visiting to find out about Exmoor and its wildlife.
From Lynmouth drive up Countisbury Hill towards Porlock and you will be rewarded with the most magnificent panoramic views of the moors and the coastline. We usually turn off and go across the moors to Dunkery Beacon which is the highest point and the most dramatic moorland scenery and where you are most likely to spot wildlife.
There are some gorgeous little villages too … Through Brendon to Oare and Malmsmead which is where author R D Blackmore based his novel Lorna Doone and is known as Lorna Doone Valley. Central and South of the Moor you can visit the pretty little villages of Winsford, Withypool, Exford and Dulverton taking a walk to the famous Tarr Steps along the way.
Exmoor is a delight and a must see when you come to stay with us at The Collingdale.