Guide to Exmoor National Park

Exmoor National Park is the perfect holiday destination for people who love nature and the great outdoors. You can make an adventure of your visit by walking, cycling, horse riding or driving around to enjoy some of its fabulous landscapes – or be less active, and simply relax and enjoy the tranquility.

It’s one of the country’s lesser-known national parks, but there’s something for everyone, from dramatic coastline to gorse and heather-covered moorland, from red deer to free-roaming ponies, and pretty villages to wonderfully dark skies for stargazing.

Our guide will help you to make the most of your visit to Exmoor, with suggestions of things to do and places to eat, events and festivals to attend, and, of course, where to stay. You can look at our collection of holiday cottages in Exmoor by clicking on the button below.

Skip to:

• FAQs
• About Exmoor
• Things to do in Exmoor
• Events and festivals in Exmoor
• Eating in Exmoor

FAQs

Is Exmoor in Devon or Somerset?

Both! Exmoor National Park covers 267 square miles, and 71 percent of this area is in West Somerset and 29 percent is in North Devon.

Is Exmoor National Park free?

Yes, like all national parks in the UK, it is free to access at any time. However, donations to CareMoor for Exmoor are welcomed – these are used to support nature and heritage conservation, and access projects in the park.

Which is better, Exmoor or Dartmoor?

Both of these National Parks in Devon are well worth visiting and they offer different experiences. Landlocked Dartmoor is vast (368 square miles), and more rugged and open. Exmoor is softer and greener, with rolling hills and charming villages nestled in valleys, and some spectacular coastline.

Does Exmoor have a beach?

Yes, Exmoor has several beaches along its 37-mile coastline, from sandy expanses to rocky coves. These include Combe Martin, Lynmouth, Woody Bay, Wringcliff Beach, Hele Bay, Lee Bay and Heddon’s Mouth. For more about beaches, read our guide to the 8 best North Devon beaches.

What is the main town in Exmoor?

Dulverton, which is known as the ‘southern gateway’ to Exmoor, is home to the Exmoor National Park headquarters.

What is the most beautiful village in Exmoor?

Exmoor has lots of charming villages, many of which have winding lanes and thatched cottages. Selworthy is often considered the most beautiful of the lot (but it’s in Somerset, not Devon). Lynmouth and Lynton feature in our guide to the prettiest villages in Devon. 

About Exmoor

Exmoor, named after Devon’s main river, the Exe, is one of 15 national parks in the UK – large areas of countryside that are protected by laws for the benefit of the nation. These laws ensure the parks’ landscapes, wildlife habitats and history are preserved for future generations. Exmoor is characterised by high moorland covered in heather and gorse, steep wooded valleys, medieval bridges, crystal clear rivers and fast flowing streams, and dramatic coastline. In fact, Exmoor has the highest sea cliffs in mainland Britain (Great Hangman is 318 metres), the longest stretch of wooded coastline in England and Wales, with the second highest tidal range in the world!

From Norman times until 1818, Exmoor was a royal hunting ground. It became a national park in 1954 after schemes to develop it for agricultural purposes failed. It’s dotted with farms and small villages, but most residents live in three centres on the coast or in Dulverton on the southern edge. There is so little light pollution, Exmoor was designated as Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve in 2011.

Exmoor is home to England’s largest herds of wild red deer – our largest wild land animal. There are around 3,500 of them on Exmoor. However, the animal most associated with this national park is the Exmoor Pony, the oldest native pony breed in Britain. Semi-feral herds can be seen wandering across the park’s rough grasslands. 

Things to do in Exmoor

Exmoor is a wonderful place for walking, whether you’re an experienced hiker or you just want a short stroll to reconnect with Mother Nature. Tarr Steps (TA22 9PY) has an ancient clapper bridge – the longest and oldest of its kind in Britain – and a lovely circular walk taking in each side of the River Barle. For dramatic coastline and a herd of feral goats, choose The Valley of the Rocks near Lynton (EX35 6JH). Heddon’s Mouth (EX31 4PY), Lynmouth (EX35 6EP) and Combe Martin (EX34 0AW) are also great places to explore Exmoor’s coast.

The Dark Sky Discovery Trail is perfect for a romantic walk with a bit of stargazing – and it’s only 2 miles of mostly level terrain. Starting from the layby near Larkbarrow Corner, follow the glow-in-the-dark signs and enjoy the unique view. Fans of Lorna Doone may want to walk the Doone Valley Circuit or the much shorter walk from Lorna Doone Farm (EX35 6NU) to Cloud Farm. Malmshead, with a pretty bridge and ford, is the gateway to Doone Valley. St Mary’s Church in Oare (EX35 6NX) is the setting for where Lorna was shot through a window on her wedding day. 

While you’re out and about on Exmoor, keep your eyes peeled for the famous red deer and Exmoor Ponies, and indulge in a bit of birdwatching. If you need a bit of help, you can go on an Exmoor Wildlife Safari, or visit Exmoor Pony Centre near Dulverton (TA22 9QE), which is free and allows well-behaved dogs on leads. Lynton, Tarr Steps and the River Barle have particularly good trails for birdwatching. Animal lovers may also want to visit Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park (EX34 0NG) and Exmoor Zoo near Bratton Fleming (EX31 4SG).

Dulverton is home to the National Park Information Centre (TA22 9HL). Lynton and Lynmouth are worth visiting and are connected by a funicular railway – it’s the highest and steepest totally water-powered railway in the world! Read more about these places in our Discover Lynton and Lynmouth guide.

Events and festivals in Exmoor

There are countless events and festivals held across Exmoor all year round, from farmers’ markets, guided walks and stargazing events to talks and art classes. You can see if any of these coincide with your visit to Exmoor on the Visit Exmoor or Exmoor National Park website. Below are some dates for your 2025 diary.

Exmoor Nature Festival

This is a brand-new festival for 2025. There are more than 50 events showcasing wildlife, the benefits of nature for human health, and the beauty of the park. The line-up includes family fun days, marine life watching, kayak adventures, forest bathing and outdoor yoga so there is something for everyone! More details about the festival can be found on the Exmoor National Park website. 

Lyn Valley Classic

Petrol heads should head to Lynmouth Manor Green for this charity fundraiser. There will be around 400 vehicles of every era on display, from vintage classics to modern supercars. It’s not all about cars – there will be tractors and motorbikes too! The show is donation-based and the suggested entry fee for visitors aged 12 and above is £5. For more information, visit the event website.

Dulverton Artisan Food, Drink and Crafts Festival

This event celebrates the many artisan producers based across Exmoor, the Quantocks and Devon and is held on the Exmoor Lawns alongside the River Barle. There will be more than 30 stalls to browse and live music to entertain. Admission is free and dogs on leads are welcome. For more information, see the Visit Dulverton website. 

Eating in Exmoor

There’s no shortage of restaurants, pubs, cafes and tea rooms across Exmoor so if you’ve been out for a hike and worked up an appetite, you probably won’t have to look far for somewhere to relax and enjoy some refreshments. Below are some of Exmoor’s most popular eateries.

Restaurant Kensington, Lynton

Restaurant Kensington is an elegant and contemporary steakhouse which celebrates local and seasonal produce, especially Exmoor beef. Diners should note, there is no children’s menu, and the restaurant is unable to accommodate highchairs and young children. 

The Black Venus, Challacombe

This 16th-century stone-built pub, The Black Venus, is full of character and charm and is a locals’ favourite – so booking is recommended. The comprehensive menu features traditional pub classics such as chilli con carne and fish and chips. Outside, there’s seating and a children’s play area. 

Watersmeet Tea Room, near Lynmouth

This historic tearoom is part of Watersmeet House, a National Trust property in the truly stunning surroundings of a river gorge and ancient woodland. The tearoom here has been serving cream teas since 1900. It offers light lunches as well as luxurious hot chocolate and a range of herbal teas. You can eat outside in the tea garden if the weather is nice. 

Stay in one of our Exmoor holiday cottages

Whether you would prefer to stay near the coast or in the middle of the lush green countryside, we’ve got a wide range of self-catering accommodation in Exmoor and across North Devon so you’re sure to find the perfect base for your holiday. To browse our cosy little cottages and shepherd’s huts for a solo escape or romantic couple’s retreat, our farmhouses and barn conversions that can sleep groups of up to 20 people, and everything in between, click the button below and start planning your unforgettable Exmoor break today.