Exmoor National Park is a varied landscape of wooded valleys, vast moorland, secluded beaches and shaded, friendly villages. Stretching 267 square miles across both North Devon and Somerset, the moorland setting has been shaped over time by the vast wildlife that roams the hills and the communities that nestle throughout the valleys. There is no end of things to see and do across the park and with such a varied setting, you could spend hours strolling beside rivers, climbing hillsides, exploring woodlands or discovering coastal towns.

With numerous outdoor activities, popular attractions and stunning settings to explore, Exmoor is a great place to base yourself for your next holiday. We have a range of homely cottages in the area, some within easy reach of the coast whilst others are found in cosy rural villages. They range in size and style so whatever you are looking for we have something to suit your holiday. What’s great is that our cottages are maintained to a high level to ensure that all modern-day facilities are available and some of our properties even boast hot tubs and swimming pools.

Exmoor is a great place to visit with your dog, with miles of open space your four-legged friend with love the freedom. We have many properties that are happy to welcome dogs so you don’t have to leave him/her at home. If you’ve got kids in tow as well we have number of fantastic properties with play facilities to keep them busy.

Simple pleasures

The great thing about Exmoor is that you don’t have to travel far or spend much money to appreciate its true beauty. The South West Coast Path takes in open moorland, hidden valleys and powerful rivers. You can step back in time as you explore Lorna Doone country at the very heart of the Doone Valley. The Lorna Doone Walk will take you on a historical journey through 6 miles of magical and striking landscape. Another two long-distance trails across the park and its borders include the Two Moors Way and the Tarka Trail.

Tarr Steps is a natural attraction not to miss. The medieval clapper bridge crosses the River Barle is surrounded by Tarr Steps Woodland National Nature Reserve, covering 33 hectares of the River Barle valley. It’s a beautiful spot to visit, particularly in the summer, and there are several walking routes in the area which take in more of the striking Exmoor landscape.

Many of the trails and routes across the moor are great for cycling and horse riding as well, so you could always mix it up a little. For a completely different perspective, however, you could try your hand at rock climbing or take to the water for a spot of sailing, canoeing or kayaking. Wimbleball Lake offers these activities and although the River Barle and East Lyn are protected by law due to their special wildlife, there are sections that can be used during the winter months. Angling is another popular activity throughout Exmoor and is a great way to enjoy the park’s serenity. Wimbleball is well stocked and welcomes the activity and permits can be acquired for the rivers.

If you fancy a spot of star gazing, Exmoor National Park has been named a Dark Sky Reserve. On a clear night the sky is alive with fascinating astronomical sights which, if discovered through a telescope, appear even more phenomenal. You can find some of the top spots for star gazing at Wimbleball Lake and County Gate, a starting point for a popular 5 mile stretch of the South West Coast Path which takes in some of the best viewpoints of the Exmoor Coast.

Just across the border and into Somerset you will find Exmoor’s Quantock Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and with its stunning views it’s not difficult to see why. From the highest points you can look right out across the Blackdown Hills, the Bristol Channel and the Mendips and Somerset Levels.

Family days out

If you’re looking for a relaxing day out as you explore the countryside, many of the Exmoor towns provide fantastic places to grab a traditional Devon cream tea and meet the local people. Lynton and Lynmouth are noted for their high cliffs and spectacular views and are home to the very distinctive water powered Victorian Cliff Railway which carries you between the two. Surrounded by deep wooded valleys with the small waterfalls of the Lyn River, Lynmouth is a fantastic setting for afternoon tea or perhaps try a portion of locally caught fish and chips.

Just around the corner, let the stunning Valley of the Rocks take your breath away with the striking rock formations, panoramic views and lush green clifftops. Enjoy a circular walk as part of the South West Coast Path starting and finishing at Lynton Cliff Railway station. Noted as an ‘easy’ walk, it’s a good option if you have kids in tow.

Moving away from the coast and to the very edge of the Devon and Somerset border you will find the quaint medieval town of Dunster with its dominating castle and rich history of the yarn market, the priory, dovecote and church. Enjoy insightful guided tours, exhibits and demonstrations and relax in a local café or explore the castle which is taken care of by the National Trust. a href="http://www.holidaycottages.co.uk/cottages/dulverton">Dulverton, known as the Southern gate of Exmoor is a similar quaint town offering numerous local shops, tearooms and friendly pubs.

If you are looking for ways to keep the kids entertained there are numerous fun days out across Exmoor. A popular choice is Exmoor Zoo, an attraction which aims to provide a unique zoo experience for all of their visitors with plentiful opportunities to meet the animals. Awarded the best small attraction in Devon and the South West, it is one not to miss. Get up close and personal with animals and listen to the experienced keepers as they provide talks and get you involved with feeding times.

If you don’t get chance to experience Exmoor through the numerous walking trails, then you could catch a glimpse of the stunning views with Experience Exmoor’s luxury Safaris who have been granted by the National Trust exclusive licenses to explore their private tracks and discover hidden gems. It’s the perfect opportunity to take in the inspiring sights, varied wildlife and historical evidence.