Although one of the smallest National Parks in area at 693 sq km, Exmoor is big in variety, drama and beauty. These ancient sandstone uplands were, for much of our history, a royal hunting forest; home of the shy red deer still found there today. High, open grassy plateaus hide sleepy villages nestled into narrow combes clothed in woodland. The north is fissured by short fast rivers, some with stunning waterfalls, cascading down to the magnificent coastline which boasts some of the highest cliffs in England. From strenuous hikes to gentle afternoon excursions, Exmoor has plenty to offer the walker.

PARRACOMBE: An attractive village with it's stone cottages, Parracombe makes a good base from which to explore the western high moorland. Chapman Barrows, a cluster of Bronze Age barrows, can be reached by heading south east from St. Petrock's church. From here you can continue easterly to the Longstone, a 3 meter high standing stone, and then over The Chains to Simonsbath. This is a very strenuous walk which should only be attempted by experienced fit walkers in good weather. Many shorter walks to sample the wild moors can be planned using Parracombe as a starting base.

DULVERTON: The small town is noted for it's connection with R.D. Blackmore, the author of the Exmoor novel 'Lorna Doone'. There are a number of waymarked walks leading from the town. One of the most attractive follows the woodland valley of the Barle river north west all the way to Ashway and the ancient Tarr Steps. This famous stone clapper bridge crossing of the river Barle may be pre-historic; no one seems sure of it's origins. Ashway is the birthplace of Sir George Williams, founder of the YMCA. From Tarr Steps you can continue north east along a lane to the delightful village of Winsford with a hilltop church and a picturesque thatched inn.

Dulverton is a good southern base from which to explore the Brendon Hills, which lie to the north east of the town. This heather clad eastern section of Exmoor NP is divided from the central area by the river Quarme and has more woodland cover.

DUNSTER: A charming village with a wide main street linking the castle at one end with Conygar Hill tower at the other. The 17th. century octagonal yarn market is a wonderful focal point at the top of the street and the ivy clad facade of the Luttrell Arms hotel further enhances the scene. From Dunster there are waymarked paths heading west across Exmoor across the lovely Grabbist Hill and continuing on up to Dunkery Beacon, at 520 m the highest point on Exmoor. Dunkery Beacon can also be approached from Exford via Exford common. The ancient ford that gave Exford it's name has been replaced by a stone bridge.

LYNTON AND LYNMOUTH: These famous twin towns, Lynmouth at the bottom of the cliffs and Lynton at the top, are linked by an ingenious victorian cliff railway which uses water and gravity to operate. The attractive small harbour and adjacent thatched cottages and pub make Lynmouth an enjoyable spot to stop and relax and take in some sea air. From the harbour the road east to Countisbury rises to over 300m at Kipscombe Hill. From here a path leads down through wooded combes to the beautiful Watersmeet Valley. The National Trust area at Watersmeet is one spot which should not be missed during a visit to Exmoor; it is quite enchanting.

BRENDON: From Watersmet you can follow the East Lyn river to the showpiece village of Brendon with it's whitewashed thatched cottages. There is a medieval packhorse bridge here from which a path leads south to Brendon Common and Hoccombe Combe. This is a lovely way to approach Doone Valley, where the combe meets Badgeworthy Water. The spot is associated with Blackmoor's famous novel due to it's resemblance to the Doone Valley he describes.

Exmoor Countryside Agency site

To browse or buy guide books on Exmoor go to Exmoor Books