Bath & North Somerset

Central Somerset

South Somerset

West Somerset

Somerset Coast

Exmoor National Park Accommodation

Exmoor is open access land as well as having a good network of footpaths

The South West Coast Path starts in Minehead and skirts Exmoor along the coast

The Coleridge Way starts at Coleridge Cottage and ends in Porlock on Exmoor

Exmoor rivers are excellent for trout and salmon fishing

Check out the Exmoor Visitor Centres for walking guides and info on outdoor activities

Footpaths into Exmoor from Porlock Weir on the coast

Exmoor's wide open spaces are great for getting away from it all

Exmoor's ancient wooded valleys are well worth exploring on foot

Walking Mountain Biking Riding Exmoor Outdoor Activities

With the wide open spaces and relative solitude Exmoor is a beautiful place to appreciate on foot, cycle or horseback. If you need an introduction to Exmoor and its delights then a guided walk or Exmoor Safari is a good shortcut to find out about the wildlife, history and stories of the area from knowledgeable local people.

The rivers and lakes provide opportunities for watersports and fishing and there is a long tradition of game sports.

Walking Holidays Exmoor

Walking in Exmoor is one of the best ways to fully appreciate its beauty. Walks vary from low level riverside walks through fantastic wooded valleys, to more difficult hill walking. Exmoor contains 18,000 hectares of open access land with over 1,000 kilometres of public rights of way. So as long as you're equipped with a map you should be able to find something to suit you.

There are lots of walking guides available from Visitor Centres throughout Exmoor National Park or you can buy them online from the Exmoor National Park's website, link right.

Alternatively you can pick up guided walks organised by rangers and local guides. Check the Exmoor Visitor Centres for more details or the free Exmoor Visitor newspaper, also available from Visitor Centres and Tourist Information Centres.

There are also several long distance walking routes that link Somerset and Devon from Exmoor through to Dartmoor. Check the Exmoor Walks and the Active Exmoor links right for more information and up-to-date events programmes.

South West Coast Path

The South West Coast Path is a 630 mile long trail around the South West of England. The Path goes through some of the country's most beautiful coastal scenery through Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset. It touches on Exmoor and links in to other public footpaths taking you deeper into the moors.

The South West Coast Path starts in Minehead and is estimated to take 7-8 weeks if you want to do the whole route! More realistically, the South West Coast Path website, link right, has details of suggested walks along different parts of it, as well as a search function so you can find a walk to suit your ability and requirements. There's everything from easy strolls, feasible for all abilities, to more challenging week long hikes.

The Path is waymarked with the acorn logo and distances are signed at main access points. The weblink right also includes a distance calculator and links to transport and Tourist Information Centres - everything to help you plan your walk before setting out. You can also purchase guidebooks to the trail.

The Coleridge Way

You can pick up The Coleridge Way as it crosses through Exmoor from the Quantock and Brendon Hills to the east, ending in Porlock.

It is a 36 mile long distance walking trail which includes places that Coleridge is known to have wandered during his time in Nether Stowey drawing inspiration from the landscapes around him.

You can do the whole route or just take the Porlock to Wheddon Cross route which will take you through the Exmoor section. Check the weblinks right for more information.

Cycling and Mountain Biking Exmoor

For a more active way of seeing Exmoor you might fancy cycling. There are some relatively less hilly cycle rides suitable for weekend cyclists and families such as the "Pedal around Porlock" leaflet available from Porlock Visitor Centre. This is a circular route around Porlock Vale covering just under eight miles. Check the National Park Cycling Guides for other ideas, link right.

For more challenging mountain biking Exmoor has some good off-road routes ranging from easy to expert. Leaflets are available of mountain bike routes around Exmoor and can be obtained from Visitor Centres or online from the Exmoor National Park website, links right.

Horse Riding on Exmoor

Horse riding is always popular on Exmoor and gives you the chance to see the herds of Red deer or native Exmoor ponies at close quarters.

There are 400 miles of bridleways within the National Park itself. A wide range of stables and riding centres in Exmoor offer lessons, guided hacks or where you can book animals for rides across Exmoor. If you want to bring your own horse a good choice of farms and stables that offer both holiday accommodation for you and stabling facilities for your horses. Check the Equine Tourism link right.

The Exmoor National Park Authority, the Quantock Hills AONB and the British Horse Society have produced a leaflet giving details of eleven circular riding routes across Exmoor and the Quantock Hills. Check with Tourist Information and Exmoor Visitor Centres for availability.

Fishing, Hunting, Shooting Exmoor

Dulverton is a good base if you want to do a spot of fishing during your stay. Fly fishing for trout and salmon is most popular in Exmoor with the River Exe and River Barle around Dulverton providing plenty of opportunities. Alternatively up nearer the coast you try a spot of sea fishing where you migth land bass, cod, whiting, conger or skate. Sea fishing boat trips leaves from Minehead, Porlock Weir and Watchet.

National rod licenses are required to fish on West Somerset rivers and permits are required from fishing rights owners. Check the Exmoor National Park Activities link right for more information on where to obtain fishing permits.

There is a long tradition of hunting within Exmoor. Traditionally hunts pursued red deer and foxes. Obviously hunting has been undergoing a lot of change, but the tradition remains strong in Exmoor. Depending on your point of view you may want to see the hunting spectacle or avoid it and you can find out about when hunts are being held in the local press.

Shooting is the other form of hunting popular within Exmoor and appears to be increasing in popularity. There are a variety of shoots close to Dulverton offering world-class partridge and pheasant shooting. Days can be purchased from: Miltons, Chargot, Haddeo, West Molland, Molland & Wellshead shoots.

Fishing Watersports Wimbleball Lake Exmoor

Wimbleball Lake near Dulverton in south Exmoor has an Angling and Watersports Centre that offers tuition on a variety of activities including sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and rowing. You can also launch your own craft from the Centre or hire equipment.

Wimbleball is also renowned for its trout fishery. The Centre also offers tuition on fly fishing and you can buy permits at the site or book prior to your visit. There is also a nine mile lakeside walk, campsite and tearoom. Check the link right for more information.

Wimbleball Lake, near Dulverton, Somerset, TA22 9NW. Angling and Watersports Centre Tel: 01398 371460. Email: wimbleball@swlakestrust.org.uk

The River Barle and the River Exe are also popular for canoeing all year round. For more information check the Active Exmoor link or contact Exmoor Canoe Club who are based in Dulverton, links right.

Click Search

Tourist Information

Internet Links

Home Top