With nature and attractions all within one 692 square kilometres, there is more than enough to keep you occupied in the Exmoor National Park and the Surrounds.
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If you are travelling around the United Kingdom, the best way is by car. Not only do you get to see more but you will find more hidden gems that the average traveller doesn’t see.
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Driving Around Exmoor National Park
Driving around Exmoor National Park is an easy way to see 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 home, although I didn’t see any Deer, you might be luckier as they are there.
If you go off the main roads, be aware that you could be heading down single-lane roads, with locals coming the other way quickly on blind corners.
Houses and farms open onto roadsides, so also watch out for farm animals and children.
There are also steep roads in this area, including 16% and reputedly the steepest road in England at 25% at Porlock Hill. They also have hairpin turns on these steep roads and need a fair bit of power to get up them.
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 places on the side of the road, in pay and display parks and then take the track across the road down.
The track down is steep, but it only takes a few minutes, and you are greeted by a fantastic waterfall with a great 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 that surround Exmoor National Park. It is a delightful little village with many attractions, waterfront walks and shops to enjoy lunch or a cream tea.
You can walk along the waterfront and along the river. The bridge shows one of the many cascades coming 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 in Lynton on the cliff-top. Get in early as it’s a popular place to visit and fills up quickly, especially in summer.
Glen Lyn Gorge
Glen Lyn Gorge is not only a great area for nature, but educational as well. The information centre gives old newspaper clippings on the 1952 flood, the damage it caused and markers on how high the water got.
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, steep in parts and 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 highest and steepest water-powered railway in the world. 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 to visit, giving an insight into the history of the area, who lived there and how.
Hours
Funicular
Sat 17th Feb opening day 11 am – 5 pm
Sun 18th Feb – Fri 29th Mar 10 am – 5 pm
Sat 30th Mar – Fri 19th Jul 10 am – 6 pm
Sat 20th Jul – Sun 1st Sep 10 am – 7 pm
Mon 2nd Sep – Fri 4th Oct 10 am – 6 pm
Sat 5th Oct – Sun 1st Nov 10 am – 5 pm
Mon 2nd Nov – Fri 8th 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 £3.50
Child (4 – 15 years) £2.20
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 easy to get to and has a large enough car park for this small but compact zoo.
I am so glad that I visited this zoo as it’s the best I have ever visited. It has animals that not only have I never seen before, but I have also never heard of.
Black Leopards call this zoo home, two of only three in captivity in the UK. This area also has the myth known as the Exmoor Beast, a large black cat that roams 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 go around, but I did arrive at 3.00 pm and wanted to see everything before it closed at 5.00 pm, so I didn’t take my time.
It’s a great alternative to a big zoo, with kids able to not only see animals they have never seen before but learn about them in the talks.
It’s well worth the visit, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Hours
10th Feb – 3rd Nov 10 am – 5 pm
5th Nov – 9th Feb 2025 10 am – 4 pm or dusk
Last entry 1 hour and 30 minutes before closing
Closed 24, 25 and 26th December.
Prices
Adult £18.95
Child (3 – 15) £14.95
Child under 3 Free
Concession Adult £16.95
Concession Child £13.95
The above prices include a donation. 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 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 there for over 1000 years in one form or another. Once a Saxon stronghold it was made into a comfortable Victorian country house by the Luttrell family during the 600 years of being in their family.
Inside, the rooms are tastefully decorated, including the story of Antony and Cleopatra in the rare 17th Century leather hangings. There is also the large piece of masonry over the mantle of the bedroom used by Prince Charles, later to become Charles the 2nd, of the Judgement of Paris, dating from 1620.
Hours
To see the opening hours on the day you wish to visit, click here.
Prices
Castle, Garden and Watermill
Adult £17.00
Child £8.50
Family £42.50
1 Adult, up to 3 children £25.50
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 in summer this village and castle are very busy 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 cutting the village in 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 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 all its surrounds is 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 just get away from the crowds and breathe fresh air.
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Links
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Travel Resources
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- Attractions – buy before you leave home with these great sites, Big Bus Tour, Get Your Guide, GoCity and Viator.
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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.