Best Exmoor Things To Do, Lynmouth, Exmoor National Park
Dunster Castle is a National Trust property located in the exquisite Dunster village near the east border of Exmoor National Park. We've positioned Dunster Castle on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location.
Other National Trust properties in and around Exmoor National Park
Holnicote Estate including the beautiful villages Selworthy, Allerford and Bossington. The National Trust's Holnicote Estate stretches from coast to high moor and incorporates Dunkery and Horner Wood National Nature Reserve which is one of the largest NNRs in England. Holnicote Estate is known for its beautiful villages so spend a day visiting them. Selworthy Green is a highlight.
Watersmeet. Dartmoor and Exmoor are known for the rivers that rise on high moor and cut stunning valleys. Watersmeet is one of the best in the Westcountry.
Heddon Valley. Another stunning valley leading to Heddon's Mouth Beach. The South West Coast Path east and west of here is sublime.
Arlington Court and the National Trust Carriage Museum. Located just west of Exmoor in the North Devon countryside. Fascinating house, huge gardens popular with families and home to the National Trust Carriage Museum.
Knightshayes Court is beyond the south border of Exmoor by the A396. Extraordinary National Trust house.
Coleridge Cottage. Walk the Coleridge Way to Coleridge Cottage by the Quantock Hills east of the National Park.
English Heritage properties in and around Exmoor National Park
Dunster Yarn Market & Butter Cross. Impressive octagonal market hall dating from the 17th century in the heart of Dunster with views to the National Trust's Dunster Castle. After you've experienced the Dunster Yarn Market & Butter Cross, wander down to see Gallox Bridge used by packhorses to bring wool to market.
Cleeve Abbey. Cistercian abbey by the east border of Exmoor. English Heritage state that Cleeve Abbey includes 'the most impressively complete and unaltered set of monastic cloister buildings in England'.
Daws Castle. Dates from the time of King Alfred. Located just east of Dunster and the border of Exmoor National Park.
Major Exmoor attractions
West Somerset Railway. Runs from the east border of Exmoor at Minehead and then Dunster to Bishops Lydeard below the Quantock Hills. Super family attraction. It's fun to walk the coast path between Dunster and Minehead and then catch the train back.
Wimbleball Lake. Major Westcountry recreational lake by the south east border of the National Park.
Dunkery Beacon. The highest point on Exmoor. Glorious views. There are plenty of parking places on the moorland road that crosses Dunkery Hill including one pretty much below the beacon.
Tarr Steps. Famous Westcountry clapper bridge in a glorious setting. Particularly beautiful in Autumn when the leaves turn in the Barle River Valley. The bridge is owned by Exmoor National Park Authority and is within the Tarr Steps Woodland National Nature Reserve. Top place. Big car parking area from which you walk down to the bridge.
Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway. Wonderful funicular cliff lift running between Lynmouth and Lynton. Amazing views from up top.
The Valley of Rocks. A Westcountry classic. You'll see plenty of images of The Valley of Rocks in books, the national press, promotional material and on websites. Remarkable coastal valley just west of Lynton and Lynmouth.
The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway. Narrow gauge railway running between Woody Bay and Killington Lane Halt.
Watermouth Castle. Popular family attraction by the west border of Exmoor.
Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park. Great wildlife park above Combe Martin by the west border of the National Park.
Exmoor Zoo. Another top family attraction by the west border of Exmoor.
South West Coast Path. Walking the South West Coast Path along the Exmoor coast is an extraordinary experience. See our Best Exmoor SWCP/South West Coast Path Walking listing for ideas.
Two Moors Way. If you're into walking then this is a must. Follow the Two Moors Way as it climbs out of Lynmouth across the high moor on its way to the southern border of Exmoor National Park.
Beaches
Minehead Beach. The most popular family beach in this part of the Westcountry. Huge expanse of sand at low tide.
Porlock Beach. Rock and pebble. Porlock Beach is the west section of the famous pebble ridge (or shingle ridge) at Porlock Bay. Park at Porlock Weir and wander across. Alternatively, walk in from Porlock. Again, consult the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL9 Exmoor map for detail.
Broadsands Beach (also referred to as Broad Strand Beach). Coarse sand and stone. Amazing place. Access is by very steep steps. The beach is just west of Exmoor but worth the effort.
Boat trips
Lynmouth. Head down to Lynmouth Quay. Boat trip information can be found on the Exmoor Boat Trip sign.
Ilfracombe's Ilfracombe Sea Safari. 'The most exciting way to explore the stunning North Devon coastline and Lundy Island.' Ilfracombe Sea Safari runs a number of trips using two RIBs. These include a 1 Hour Sea Safari, 2 Hour Waterfall & Exmoor Safari to Lynmouth and Lundy Explorer.
Horse riding and watersports
See our Best Exmoor Outdoor Activities listing for ideas.
Wildlife attractions
Red deer. Exmoor National Park is famous for its red deer and ponies. Some of the deer herds are huge and seriously impressive.
Exmoor ponies. These native British ponies roam the high moor and surrounding countryside.
The Exmoor Pony Centre. Also visit the pony centre located in Ashwick between, roughly speaking, Dulverton and Tarr Steps in the south section of the National Park.
To increase the likelihood of seeing red deer and ponies, book a trip with Exmoor Safari, Exmoor Barle Valley Wildlife Safaris or Red Stag Safari.
Exmoor Owl and Hawk Centre. Birds of prey, pony rides and farm animals in an exquisite location below Bossington Hill by Porlock Bay.
Literary attractions
See The Lorna Doone Statue in Dulverton and then visit Doone Valley, Oare Church and Robber's Bridge.
The Coleridge Way. Follow in the footsteps of the Romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. The long distance footpath runs between Lynmouth and Nether Stowey.
Coleridge Cottage. Brilliant National Trust property in Nether Stowey east of Exmoor National Park. The cottage is at the east end of The Coleridge Way. There's a nice pub across the road.
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