With nature and attractions all within 692 square kilometres, Exmoor National Park and its surroundings offer more than enough to keep you occupied.
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Contents
Driving Around Exmoor National Park
Driving around Exmoor National Park is a great way to take in the surrounding rolling hills and moors.
There aren’t too many places to pull over and take photos in Exmoor National Park, but you do have intermittent places to stop. You can take photos of this area of outstanding beauty, or the wildlife you should see, as well as take in the walks.
Ponies and Deer also call Exmoor National Park and the surrounding area home. Although I didn’t see any Deer, you might be luckier, as they are there.
If you venture off the main roads, be aware that you may encounter single-lane roads, where locals are often travelling in the opposite direction on blind corners.
Houses and farms often open onto roadsides, so be cautious of farm animals and children.
There are also steep roads in this area, including a 16% grade and reportedly the steepest road in England, at 25%, on Porlock Hill. These steep roads have hairpin turns and require a fair bit of power to climb.
You could also take a Steam Train ride on the West Somerset Railway along the coastline. You can make a day of this with a Rover ticket, and as it runs 5 times a day, you could get off and catch a later train back.
There is a whole lot more to see in the area with many villages, attractions and walks. Some are listed below.
Watersmeet
One of the best waterfall walks in Exmoor National Park is at Watersmeet. You can park in designated areas on the side of the road, in pay-and-display parks, and then take the track across the road.
The track down is steep, but it only takes a few minutes to complete. You are greeted by a fantastic waterfall, which you can view from the bridge across the river.
There are walks in the area, along the river and into the woods. There is also a cafe and toilets next to the falls to finish off your afternoon before heading back up to your car.
Lynmouth and Lynton
Lynmouth is one of the little villages surrounding Exmoor National Park. It is a delightful little village with many attractions, waterfront walks, and shops where you can enjoy lunch or a cream tea.
You can walk along the waterfront and the river. The bridge showcases one of the many cascades that flow down from the gorge.
You can park your car on the street for free for two hours in Lynmouth, or there is a car park on the cliff top in Lynton. It’s best to arrive early, as the destination is popular and fills up quickly, especially during the summer.
Glen Lyn Gorge
Glen Lyn Gorge is not only a great area for nature but also an educational destination. The information centre has old newspaper clippings about the 1952 flood, detailing the damage it caused, and markers indicating the height of the water.
It also educates on climate change, water conservation and how water has been used for power in this area for over 100 years. You can also see and read about the famous 1899 Overland Launch of the rescue lifeboat.
You can then walk through the woods and beside the river to see the many falls and cascades in this area. There are also accessible paths for wheelchairs and prams with step-free access.
There are many waterfalls to see, and the loop walk only takes about an hour. It has a few steps, some steep in parts, and is muddy, but it’s a beautiful walk with only the sounds of the river and birdsong.
Hours and Admission
Open Easter to October and occasional Winter Days.
Telephone 01598 753207 for opening times and prices.
Cliff Railway
Take the Funicular up to the cafe, 500ft above the Esplanade. This is the world’s highest and steepest water-powered railway. There is an open verandah on the front where you can test your fear of heights as you ride up and/or down.
At the top of the funicular, you’re in Lynton. It’s here that you can visit the Lyn and Exmoor Museum, a small but interesting museum that offers an insight into the area’s history, the people who lived there, and their way of life.
Hours
Funicular
15th Feb opening day 11 am – 5 pm
16th Feb – 4th Apr 10 am – 5 pm
5th Apr – 18th Jul 10 am – 6 pm
19th Jul – 31st Aug 10 am – 7 pm
1st Sep – 3rd Oct 10 am – 6 pm
4th Oct – 2nd Nov 10 am – 5 pm
3rd Nov – 7th Nov 10 am – 4 pm
Opening times may be extended to support special events. Visit our Facebook page for details.
Museum
Monday to Saturday 11 am – 3 pm
Prices
Funicular
Adult £3.75
Child (4 – 15 years) £2.25
Dogs (on a short lead) £1.00
Museum
Adult £3
Child (4 – 15 years) .50p
Exmoor Zoo
Just outside the National Park, Exmoor Zoo is easily accessible and has a large car park, making it a convenient location for this small yet compact zoo.
I am so glad that I visited this zoo, as it’s the best I have ever visited. It has animals that I have never seen before or heard of.
Black Leopards call this zoo home, two of only three in captivity in the UK. This area is also home to the Exmoor Beast, a large black cat said to roam the hills of Exmoor. It’s not the only place in the world that has this myth, but you can see these magnificent creatures at the zoo if you’re not lucky enough to spot one on your travels.
I visited a couple of hours before closing, and it was a cool, overcast day. The animals were very active, especially the Pumas that were walking all around their enclosure, including up on the platforms.
There aren’t your usual zoo animals here, giraffe, lion and elephant. Instead, they have Sand, Rusty Spotted and Fishing Cats, Singing Dogs, Tayra, Bush Dogs and Maned Wolves.
It took me less than two hours to complete the tour, but I arrived at 3:00 p.m. and wanted to see everything before it closed at 5:00 p.m., so I didn’t take my time.
It’s a great alternative to a big zoo, where kids cannot only see animals they’ve never seen before but also learn about them through talks.
It’s well worth the visit, and I highly recommend it.
Hours
We are currently opening at 10:00 am every morning.
Closing time in Summer is typically 17:00
Closing time in Winter is typically 16:00
Last entry 1 hour before closing
Closed 24th, 25th and 26th December.
Prices
For online prices, click here.
Dunster Village and Castle
Dunster Castle
With a car park in the village or at the castle, it’s easy to get around, although it’s very steep in parts.
The gardens of Dunster Castle are nice to walk around. They have a working watermill from the 18th Century (unfortunately being serviced when I was there) and two floors in the mill with industrial implements from the time.
The castle itself has been in existence for over 1,000 years in one form or another. Once a Saxon stronghold, it was transformed into a comfortable Victorian country house by the Luttrell family over the 600 years they owned it.
Inside, the rooms are tastefully decorated, including the story of Antony and Cleopatra in the rare 17th-century leather hangings. There is also a large piece of masonry over the mantle of the bedroom used by Prince Charles, later to become King Charles II, depicting the Judgement of Paris, dating from 1620.
Hours
To see the opening hours on the day you wish to visit, click here.
Prices
Click here to find your price.
Dunster Village
The village of Dunster is so charming, with shops and cafes and an old Yarn Market, just to the side of the main street. It also has the Priory Church of St. George, which dates back to the 15th Century.
You should plan your day well, as this village and castle are bustling in the summer for a very good reason.
Where I Stayed
YHA Exford is in the heart of Exmoor National Park. It’s a great place to base yourself with The Exmoor White Horse Inn just across the road for meals or drinks if you don’t feel like making your own after a day exploring the region.
It’s a comfortable place to rest, with the River Exe flowing beside the YHA and dividing the village into two, and centrally located, with towns like Lynmouth the furthest away at a half-hour drive.
Facilities
- 24-hour access after check-in
- Ambulant accessible
- Breakfast/Packed Lunch/Evening meals
- Contactless payments
- Cycle store
- Free parking on the premises
- Full mobile coverage
- Large garden/grounds
- Library/Games
- Restaurant/Licensed bar
- Luggage store
- Near the bus stop
- Outdoor BBQ/seating/play area
- Paid electric vehicle charger
- Self-catering kitchen
- Shared drying/laundry room
- Shared lounge/TV
- Sole use available
- Riverfront
- WiFi
How To Get Here
YHA Exford Hostel is in the village of Exford, across from The Exmoor White Horse Inn.
How To Book
If you would like to stay at the YHA Exford, click on the link and get ready to start your adventure in the Exmoor National Park.
Conclusion
Exmoor National Park and its surrounding areas are a great region to spend a week. Whether you’re into hiking in Exmoor National Park or just taking in the views, it’s nice to get away from the crowds and breathe fresh air.
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This National Park and the surrounding region look fabulous. I especially love the waterfalls, they are beautiful! That cliffside railway seems more like a themepark ride, especially with the open verandah! I think I’ll pass on that fear testing opportunity 😆
You took some amazing photos, thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Leila. I was the same with the cliffside railway. It would be nice to give you all my experience travelling up and down it, but it looked too scary.