9 day itinerary
65 pages with 40+ photographs (0.9 MB PDF)

Famous for its beautiful wooded valleys, this was the supposed home of Lorna Doone.  It has inspired many poets and writers, and is popular for walking. Experience the wonderful contrast between the wild, inland moors, and the valleys leading to high cliffs dropping down to the sea.  Cross ancient packhorse bridges to pretty villages.  Learn about tourism in the Victorian era, and discover about the world-famous Lynmouth flood disaster.

Visit Exmoor National Park:

Pretty villages	with thatched, cob cottages and ancient churches
Moorland	experience its gentle pastoral landscape, with its free-roaming wild ponies
Coastline	see stunning views from the highest cliffs in England on this 30-mile stretch of the South West Coast Path
Secluded bays	tucked in below the cliffs, often only reached on foot
Rivers	fast-flowing, deep within wooded valleys
Packhorse bridges	quaint, picturesque footbridges from a bygone era
Footpaths	walk along some of the 600 miles of designated routes
Many walks	carefully selected and researched, these all are well described, with good explanations of the interesting features

back to top

Visit interesting villages, including:

Lynmouth	a fishing village, developed by the Victorians, and devastated by the 1952 flood
Lynton	a wealthy area above Lynmouth, and reached by the water-powered cliff railway
Porlock	a winding, ancient street, and its notorious hill
Dulverton	capital of Exmoor, and a set for the film 'The Land Girls'
Dunster	the gem of Exmoor, with ancient buildings and its imposing castle
Other Exmoor villages	many are owned by The National Trust.  All have their own particular charm, being set around village greens, or near fast-flowing streams.  Visit quaint teashops and traditional pubs, and experience the countryside described in the books 'Lorna Doone' and 'Tarka the Otter'

back to top

Visit ancient country churches, including:

Oare	where Lorna Doone was shot
Culbone	the smallest in Britain
Trentishoe	with the organ from the S.S. Mauretania
Parracombe	still as it was in the 1700s

back to top

Visit up to 4 National Trust properties:

Dunster Castle	dating from 1070, set in a commanding position, and in magnificent condition
Dunster Water Mill	built in 1680, and still milling
Arlington Court	former home of the Chichester family
Watersmeet House	situated within a beautiful, wooded valley

back to top

Visit other interesting places, including:

West Somerset Railway	Britain's longest stretch of steam railway
Valley of Rocks	unusual rock formations and sea-cliffs
Tarr Steps	the finest clapper bridge in England
Iron Age forts	sites dating from 500-800 AD
Industrial archaeology	evidence of ore extraction and lime-burning
Cleeve Abbey	a Cistercian monastery, founded in 1198
Museums	small, but with excellent, local interest

back to top

Maps are important on this itinerary.  It is clearly stated which are recommended.