Wondering what the best places to visit in Exmoor National Park are? If you love the great outdoors, stunning coastal views, ancient woodland, and quaint villages, Exmoor is the perfect UK getaway. Stretching across Somerset and North Devon, this beautiful national park offers a mix of dramatic coastline, rolling moorland, and peaceful river valleys.
We’ve just returned from a 4-day visit to Exmoor and loved it. We’ve put together this guide to Exmoor so you can plan your own fantastic trip. Whether you’re planning scenic Exmoor walks, family days out or your holiday itinerary, here are the 10 best places to visit in Exmoor
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Dunkery Beacon
Standing at 519 metres about sea level, Dunkery Beacon is the highest point in Exmoor National Park and one of the most iconic viewpoints. From the summit, you’ll enjoy sweeping views across Wales, stretching all the way to Wales on a clear day.
You can hike one of the longer moorland routes or park at Dunkery Hill Gate car park and follow the short, steep path to the Bronze Age cairn at the top.
It’s easily one of the best places to visit in Exmoor, even if it’s just for the brilliant name!
Tarr Steps
The ancient Tarr Steps is one of Exmoor’s most famous landmarks and a must-see attraction. This 17-metre clapper bridge spans the River Barle and is believed to be thousands of years old, making it one of the oldest bridges of its kind in the UK.
After crossing the bridge, follow the riverside path, before returning to the charming Tarr Farm Inn for a well-earned cream tea. Currently it is not possible to do a circular walk as the next bridge is closed for renovation.
To get to the steps, park in the National Trust car park, then enjoy the short walk down to the river.
Dulverton
Known as the Southern Gateway to Exmoor, Dulverton is a charming market town with independent shops and cafés. It’s also home to the Exmoor National Park Centre, so is a great starting point for your visit to the area.
If you want help planning your walks or enjoy browsing small boutiques, Dulverton is a great place to spend a relaxed afternoon.
Porlock Weir
Porlock Weir is a delightful coastal hamlet on the edge of the Exmoor. It’s centred around a historic harbour and backed by dramatic hills.
Despite its small size, Porlock Weir offers plenty of things to do, from crabbing and paddleboarding to coastal walks. It instantly became one of our favourite stops and a real highlight of our things to do in Exmoor list.
We loved the scenic, and at times rather challenging, circular walk to Culbone Church, the smallest parish church in England. We returned on a downhill path via Culbone Woods, going back to the hamlet for food.
Foodies will be spoilt for choice in Porlock Weir, with everything from fine dining and an oyster bar to cosy pubs and pizza. For such a tiny place, it has an impressively varied food scene and makes a perfect stop on any Exmoor itinerary.
Dunster
The medieval village of Dunster is one of the prettiest places in Exmoor National Park. Its skyline is dominated by Dunster Castle, a striking 13th century fortress with beautiful gardens and sweeping views. Exploring Dunster Castle is an absolute must.
Other historic highlights include the Yarn Market, Tithe Barn, and the charming Dunster Gallox Bridge. It’s a wonderful place to stop for history lovers and families alike.
Lynton & Lynmouth
Perched on the wild North Devon coastline, Lynton & Lynmouth are twin towns linked by a charming Victorian cliff railway.
Lynton sits high on the cliffs, whilst its twin village Lynmouth rests at sea level around a pretty harbour. Together they offer plenty of places to eat, cute shops, and seaside charm, making them easily one of the best places to visit in Exmoor.
One of the most fun things to do in Lynton & Lynmouth is riding the historic funicular railway between the two towns. From here you can join the South West Coast Path, with several scenic walks offering dramatic coastal views.
Valley of Rocks
Just a short walk or drive from Lynton is the spectacular Valley of Rocks, one of the most spectacular places to visit in Exmoor. Known for its towering rock formations, rugged cliffs and feral goats, it’s a favourite sport for photographers, nature lovers, and walkers.
We loved it, though missed out on seeing the goats.
Watersmeet
Watersmeet is on of Exmoor’s popular beauty spots, where two rivers meet in a deep, wooded gorge. The walking trail takes you through ancient woodland, past waterfalls, and moss-covered boulders.
It’s an easy, short walk, giving you time to enjoy a cream tea at Watersmeet House, a 19th century fishing lodge run by the National Trust.
Accommodation in Exmoor
We stayed in a converted barn in the small village of Exford in the heart of Exmoor, which was a great central base for day trips to all of these places. However, there are plenty of options for accommodation in Exmoor National Park to suit all budgets:
- Luxury Accommodation: Chough’s Nest Hotel is an elegant clifftop hotel with stunning sea views in Lynton.
- Mid-range Accommodation: Lynmouth View is a spacious 3-bedroom holiday home in Lynmouth
- Budget Accommodation: The Crown Hotel has comfortable rooms in a historic building in Lynton
Map of the best places to visit in Exmoor National Park
Here’s a map of the highlights, which you can save for your visit.
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