Natural Beauty

Inspiration

Exmoor National Park

Description

One of the most peaceful of all National Parks, Exmoor is renowned for its dramatic coastal views, heather moorland, ancient woodlands, steep combes and Exmoor Ponies.
Exmoor National Park is a unique and special place.

Exmoor National Park
The variety of coastal landscape in Somerset is truly remarkable, from rock pavements to sand dunes and from wooded cliffs to mudflats. There are geological and wildlife wonders for the scientifically minded, seaside resorts for those seeking entertainment, fishing and sailing for the sports fans, coasteering for the adventurous and long-distance trails for the energetic. This coast has something for everyone, even the four-legged members of the family as it has numerous dog-friendly beaches. It has all you’d expect from a sea-side: lighthouses, rock pools, fossils, ice cream parlours, piers and even a ship-wreck and then it has more in the form of the rare plants and birds that thrive in this environment.
 
What adds to the fascination of this coast for many is that it has the second highest tidal range in the world which means that you can visit a resort one day when the water is lapping the shore and come back the next when you can hardly see the sea.

First time visitors are always surprised at the undisturbed tranquillity of its heather-clad moorlands, not to mention its breath-taking coastline of plunging cliffs and sheltered bays.

Exmoor National Park is rich in hidden haunts, deep valleys, ancient oak woodland, England's highest sea-cliffs, sparkling rivers and waterfalls.

Its land and seascapes are dotted with medieval towns and villages, harbours and resorts full of character and timeless charm.

Accounting for a quarter of the national park, there are 18,300 hectares of land lying between 305 metres and 509 metres.
 
To best experience this landscape of big sky and even bigger views, take the B3223 across the moors, which also provides numerous places to stop, explore and take in the magnificence. Appropriately, this road starts in Dulverton, which houses the headquarters of Exmoor National Park. As you travel across the moors, chances are you’ll see the Exmoor ponies that make their home in the area. Stocky and hardy by nature, fossils of the breed dating back to 50,000 BC have been found in the region and Roman carvings show them being used as transport.

The Domesday Book records their presence but by the late 1800s the breed had almost become extinct due to the vagaries of human intervention. They have now returned to the moors but are still classified as an endangered species.

Contact

Exmoor National Park



[Error loading the control 'MemberECommerceCarousel', check event log for more details]

Newsletter

Become a Member



Read more

Book a Conference



Read more

Visitor Information



Read more
Open Map
Close Map