What can you do - there are loads of things and places to visit. We are based in Somerset on the borders of Devon in Exmoor National Park which has some of the most beautiful and unspoilt countryside in UK. Exmoor is quite unlike Dartmoor in so many ways. Most of Exmoor is in Somerset with a small section in North Devon. It has many ancient oak forests, wooded and sheltered river valleys and is scattered with hamlets and quaint villages with outlying farms and cottages.
A short video shows some of the often unkown, hidden and unexpectedly beautiful county of Somerset. Slow connections may take a few seconds to view.
The medieval village of Dunster with Castle, Yarn Market & quaint shops - just minutes away. Ideal for walking or riding holidays in the surrounding areas of outstanding natural beauty: Exmoor National Park, The Quantock and Mendip Hills, Dartmoor, The Tarka Trail and The South West Coast. Wonderful coastlines, the quaint villages of Porlock & historic port of Watchet with a fossil hunters beach. Wells Cathedral City and Cheddar Gorge are not far away.
Secrets of Somerset:
This part of Somerset is a well kept secret.
Tourists are few even in the height of the season.
Many who visit have been coming here for years - and they don't tell many others about it. It is tranquility itself.
Country Pubs & Cream Teas:
There are welcoming country pubs with log fires in Autumn and Winter and gardens in which to relax in Summer.
The Royal Oak Inn Luxborough offers a welcoming cup of tea, pint of local cider or beer and does great food too - the car park in the village has an honesty box.
Somerset Cream Teas:
There are pretty tea rooms for those special cream teas some in lovely summer gardens. Over the moor in the beautiful valley of Malmsmead and area of Oare you will find relaxing lunches and cream teas at the The Buttery.
In Minehead, Blue Anchor and Watchet you'll see West Somerset Railway with many excursions throughout the season. A beer festival is held on Minehead Station in the Summer. Visit our West Somerset Railway page
Cliff Railway:
Over in Lynmouth and Lynton you will find the cliff railway which has charming little carriages to transport you from one town to the other up the steep incline.
Wildlife on Exmoor:
In the wonderfully quiet wooded river valleys or on the open moorland you may well see the largest of UK animals, the Red deer along with foxes and the occasional hare if you keep your eyes open. Regularly seen are buzzards and other birds of prey and you could spot badgers too in the late evening. Other birds you may see or hear are stonechat, Dartford and Grasshopper Warblers, nightjars, skylark, wheatear, dipper and many more of the more unsual birds are residents and visitors to Exmoor.
Wild Exmoor ponies are among the wildlife of the area. These are the only breed of pony allowed to roam freely on Exmoor, and these are truly wild herds. They are counted just once a year during the annual roundup in Autumn. Visit the Exmoor Pony Centre
On Safari in a Landrover:
You could even grab the chance to go out with someone who knows just where to seek out some of the wildlife on Exmoor. Take an off road trip in a safari landrover with Barle Valley Safaris
Walking around Exmoor:
If you are a keen walker there are plenty footpaths and rolling moorland hills.Also check out the following:
Dogs are allowed on most beaches too - some have restrictions and there may be changes so please check - but this is what we have at the moment:
Porlock: Porlock Shingle Ridge has no restrictions (except from the high tides !)
Minehead: The only beach in this area that has a restriction on dogs is the main Minehead beach from 1st May to 30th September each year.
Dunster: OK off the lead only allowed below high tide line
Lorna Doone Country in Somerset & Devon:
Visit The Buttery at Malmsmead for a cream tea, refreshing lager and a light lunch and walk it off in Lorna Doone country. The famous book, Lorna Doone written by RD Blackmore tells the tale of the infamous Doone clan, a Scottish family who were supposedly once noble who terrorised locals. Real names and places were used in the novel many of which will be found on gravestones at pretty little Oare Church nearby. The story tells of the adopted girl Lorna and her romance with local lad John Ridd. There are in fact stories of the Doones which pre-date the novel making it impossible to distinguish fact from fiction. Remains of buildings are to be found where the Doon clan were supposed to live. The pretty tumbling streams, shady coombes (deep steep sided river valleys) and imposing heather clad hills of Exmoor evoke the dramatic landscapes captured in Blackmore’s novel.
If you prefer a more relaxing walk (walking for softees) there are plenty of places for gentle walks along pretty wooded valleys with tumbling rivers or strolling round some of the picture postcard villages of Porlock, or pretty little Allerford or Luxborough
Short & pleasant walk from Luxborough car park (use the honesty box to help pay for upkeep of the car park). Walk the length of the village hall field till you reach a path which climbs gently back above the hall. Continue on through the wood looking out for snowdrops in February, and doormice nesting boxes in the woods until the path reaches the lane. Follow the same direction along the lane, down the dip, up a small steep section to the T junction. Turn right which takes you back and down the hill to the pub for your cream tea or welcome pint of local cider. Approximately one and a half hours including your time at the pub with cider or tea.
Visit the medieval village of Dunster with it's yarn market, castle, packhorse bridge, priory, inns, mill and beautiful old buildings. Since the decline of the woollen industry in the eighteenth century the village has been locked in a time warp.
It is a medieval village with a beautiful ancient castle owned by the National Trust.
There are plenty of things going on all through the Spring & Summer. Wander around and visit the priory, dovecote, yarn market in the centre, inns, packhorse bridge and a mill. Walk to the top of the hill (Grabbist Hill) from the cemetary fro fabulous views. Check out the secret garden at the Luttrel Arms Hotel and the lovely old packhorse bridge down by the river.
Johnny Kingdom recently starred in a TV series showing wildlife in the area and local traditions etc. Johnny loves this country just as much as we do.
Fossils & Beaches:
There are fossil beaches to explore in Donniford, West Quantockhead and the ancient harbour town of Watchet. Long stretches of sand on Blue Anchor bay and you can walk all the way to Minehead from Dunster beach when the tide is right.
Cliff & Steam Railways:
In Minehead, Blue Anchor and Watchet you'll see West Somerset Railway with many excursions throughout the season. A beer festival is held on Minehead Station in the Summer. more video clips from West Somerset Railway volunteers
Cliff Railway:
Over in Lynmouth and Lynton you will find the cliff railway which has charming little carriages to transport you from one town to the other up the steep incline.
Lynmouth Gorge & Hydro electrics:
Lynmouth has its own little hydro electric plant with giant water jets for the children (and adults) to play with.
Somerset and Exmoor Music:
In June is the Lynmouth Llama music festival . This is a very small festival ideal for families. Lynmouth itself gets very crowded and busy with traffic during festival weekend so is not ideal for motorhome travel - but the little cliff railway at Lynton is your ideal transport from camp sites on top of the cliff down to Lynmouth's little town centre.
Horse Riding in Somerset:
There is riding for experienced and novice alike - we have special links for riders and can recommend the very best places.
holds their UK qualifying competition in Somerset every year. Centred on Wimbleball lake, this endurance challenge is a real it is a real spectacle. 100 this year will go through qualifying events for the world championship competition.
The Iron Man accommodation
20th June 2010: The camper is available for special hire for this weekend. Currently it is still available but be quick - we take overflow bookings from holiday cottages nearby.
The Ironman UK 70.3 event consists of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike and a 13.1 mile run. 1,500 athletes compete for a an opportunity to qualify for one of the 100 qualifying slots for the inaugural Ford Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Clearwater, Florida.
Six of the Ironman 70.3 global events will carry slots for the Ford Ironman World Championship, which is double the distance and held in Hawaii each October. Other qualifying events are held all around the world at venues including California, St Croix, Florida, Baja, Honu, Scandinavia, Brazil, Monaco and Cancun Mexico
Farmers Markets in Somerset & Devon: Great places to buy interesting and fresh food directly from the farmer or producer.
A wider view of Somerset: Somerset contains an enormous amount of heritage sites. To download a pdf map of Heritage Sites click here
More walks and video links soon
Wild camping: You cannot just park up anywhere - you must research and park in a safe and sensible place. Do not litter and do not make a noise. See this page for more information
