Wanting a holiday that shows off luxurious yet romantic landscapes, the finest coastal and countryside walks and a historic array of towns and villages? Exmoor National Park is an area of never ending beauty that you and your family have always dreamed of. Find plenty of places to stay from country cottages and barn conversions to rambling farmhouses and large rural mansions. Enjoy staying in a wildlife-rich area in relative comfort with everything that you need at your fingertips.
View Exmoor holidaz cottages to rent from 3 + days
A haven for weird and wonderful wildlife like ponies, goats, red deer and some of the UK’s rarest butterflies and bats, Exmoor is the perfect place to relax and escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. With over 9,000 acres of gorgeous woodlands to explore, some of which date back to before 1600 AD, such as Burridge Woods and Tarr Steps Woods, walking past a tree with a hidden secret is as common as a traditional cream tea. Whitebeam trees which are dotted throughout the width and breadth of Exmoor actually grow nowhere else in the world!
Out and about on holiday in Exmoor
Enjoying a walk or cycle among the lavish landscapes goes hand in hand with Exmoor life. Whether you’re after a health kick or just wanting to sooth the mind, body and soul, strolls like that over the Countisbury headland are the ideal way to appreciate Exmoor and its dramatic cliffs and sandy beaches, both with unrivalled, panoramic views over the crystal blue waters. Looking for a dog friendly spot to rest those weary limbs? The Blue Ball Inn near Lynmouth is a traditional Cask Marque accredited coaching inn, offering the warmest of welcomes and a formidable reputation for providing real ale, fine wines and heart-warming meals. Anyone interested in sampling the local produce of the area will love dishy delicacies like the Blue Ball Lamb Stew and the Battered Cod and Chips, caught locally in Lynmouth Bay. A treat for eyes as well as mouths!
Reach great heights during an Exmoor country break
Dunkery Beacon is another shining light in this spectacular part of the world. Standing tall at a humungous 519 metres and officially heralded as the highest point in Exmoor, the views from this spectacular South West landmark are simply phenomenal and ones that should be on the front page of any photo album. Overlooking both the Bristol and English Channels, the Brecon Beacons, Bodmin Moor and Dartmoor, you will certainly feel on top of the world on this wonderful moorland site that’s both managed and owned by the National Trust. Why not enjoy a romance fuelled picnic among the Bronze Age barrows with the one you love? A bottle of prosecco and tasty sandwiches a must!
Exmoor is also a place that is full of inspirational history. Fans of R D Blackmore’s epic novel Lorna Doone can imagine Exmoor back in the 17th century with places prominent in the popular tale like the valley of Badgworthy Water, the medieval village at Hoccombe Combe and the water slide at Lank Coombe, where the protagonist John Ridd fell into the water while fishing. Likewise, a walk to Grade I listed building Culbone Church, said to be the smallest parish in the whole of England is said to be the influence for Samuel Coleridge’s famous poem Kubla Khan. See what other luxurious landscapes inspired this premier poet-critic of modern English tradition when you traipse over 50 miles through the stunning Somerset countryside of heathland, moorland and historic villages on the Coleridge Way. An unspoilt route full of atmosphere which links Exmoor National Park with the Quantocks and Brendon Hill Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Exmoor holidays offer thrills and spills
Wanting something a little more thrill seeking on your holiday of a lifetime? Outdoor activities like kayaking, orienteering and rock climbing are as popular among families as a mid-morning walk among the farmland. Those for heady heights will love the Valley of Rocks, a place where words are just not enough for its astounded visitors. This includes jewel in the crown Castle Rock, where the priceless character, steep rock faces jetting out towards the sea and amazing opportunity to reach the castle’s peak is an absorbing challenge for adrenaline junkies everywhere. With outdoor activity specialist businesses like the AALA accredited Adventurous Activity Provider Exmoor Adventures watching you every step of the way, you and your group will never feel more at ease. Fancy a spot of mountain biking after your descent? Exmoor Adventures can provide you with a plethora of qualified mountain bike tutors like Dan French who can offer eager and experienced riders the chance to earn a ‘British Cycling Level 2 Mountain Bike Leadership Award’ among the scenic valleys and marvellous moorlands, which makes this incredible area one of the premier locations for mountain biking in the UK.
Star gaze on Exmoor
If all this isn’t enough, then Exmoor is the place to be for soppy romantics and eager astronomers. Recognised as Europe’s first international dark sky reserve 7 years ago for its jet-black nights and gleaming constellations of The Great Bear or Orion, the Hunter, visitors can appreciate these amazing astronomical sights through their own set of eyes, a simple pair of binoculars or with a hired telescope from centres at Lynmouth, Dulverton and Dunster. Intrigued or thoughts of a special proposal in mind? There are plenty of festivals throughout the next few years that appreciate this sensational night sky, including a first ever Family Stargazing Weekend in mid-March with Exmoor National Park’s resident Astronomer Seb Jay or an animal laden Forest Night Walk within the woods of Croydon Hill at the end of May.
With acres of unspoilt countryside and coastline just a small dose of the many attractions that Exmoor can offer, an active or tranquil holiday in this spectacular part of the world is definitely something to write about in great detail on a postcard or broadcast uncontrollably to all your jealous followers through the means of social media.
Additional Exmoor information
Dogs welcome country cottages Exmoor - the national park is as dog-friendly as anywhere in Britain can be.
Exmoor holiday cottages that have a freezer - so that you can focus on having a good time rather than shopping.
Holiday cottages on Exmoor that have comfortable beds - that basic requirement of all good holiday accommodation.