Things To Do
Exmoor provides a great base to enjoy so many outdoor activities, there's an endless list...
Walking, Orienteering & Geocaching
Railways Round Exmoor
Horse Riding & Trekking
‘The Walking Capital of Exmoor’, Lynton & Lynmouth has four National Walking Trails that pass through including the South West Coast Path and The Two Moors Way.
A
walkers paradise, long distance trails, short walks and easy access trails, Exmoor has them
all and is an ideal for exploring the outdoors and improving your navigational skills.
Watersmeet, Valley of the Rocks, Glen Lyn Gorge, Heddon Valley, Lorna Doone Country, for the experienced walker or someone who just prefers a short stroll, with over 1000km of footpaths across wooded valleys and moorlands, the variety is infinite.
Exmoor is home to three interesting railways, these are the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway, the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway
and the West Somerset Railway.
The former is the world famous water powered funicular railway, which connects the twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth.
The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway is an on-going restoration project of the picturesque narrow gauge at Woody Bay Station where one mile of track has been re-instated.
Finally there is the West Somerset Railway at Minehead at some 23 miles in length is the longest privately owned passenger rail line in Great Britain.
Exmoor has often been described as the 'riding playground of England' and with over 600km of bridleways it is a very special place for riding and a great place to explore on horseback.
Visitors can ride at their leisure over open heath moors and through steeply wooded valleys.
With over 600km of bridleways Exmoor National Park is a special place for riding and a great place to explore on horseback.
Horses and tuition for all ages and all abilities are readily available locally at anyone of the many excellent riding stables.
Cycling & Mountain Biking
Canoeing, Kayaking & Sea Kayaking
Exmoor National Park has over 550 kms/340 miles of bike trails, from country lanes to bridleways and special
trails.
Exmoor offers cycling for all presenting challenges to road cyclists and off-road enjoyment to mountain biker, all offer a different and exciting experience.
Cycling and mountain biking are easy and enjoyable for all ages and abilities with considerable scope for exploration and freedom to discover Exmoor National Park and the surrounding area.
The East Lyn River from Watersmeet and Rockford to Lynmouth Harbour provides
excellent and challenging conditions. Whitewater kayakers frequently run
this river in the winter when seeking the thrill of a challenging Grade 4
paddle.
The two rivers most suited to canoeing are the River Barle and River
Exe. Both of these rivers are classed as Grade 1 or 2 rivers.
With the Bristol Channel having the 2nd highest tidal range in the world sea
kayaking is becoming ever more popular along the rugged Exmoor coast.
Motorsport, Off-Roading, Rallying & Motorcross
Surfing
Exmoor can offer the responsible driver with some great motorsport. From
off-roading to hill climbs and steep, rocky descents together with narrow lanes and tracks, river crossings,
spectacular scenery and wildlife present both the novice and experienced driver a great time.
Safaris provide an excellent way of seeing the wildlife, and sheer beauty of the Exmoor countryside. This is a wonderful way of seeing areas of the moor off the beaten track with an experienced guide.
When the right conditions prevail the surf at Lynmouth Bay in Exmoor National Park is a regional classic.
Surfing is ideal for the experienced surfer with a point break together with a west,
south west swell and a southerly wind, the pebble and rock bottom ensures perfect breaking waves.
Good surf is to be had at all times of the tide, but as it breaks over
boulders it's not for the faint hearted or novices.
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Coasteering & Rock Climbing
Open Top Coastal Link Bus Service
Coasteering involves traversing the sea cliffs by wading in waist deep water and scrambling up rocky coastal outcrops. Enjoy rock climbing, with a basic introduction your confidence develops. North Devon & Exmoor's rugged coastline and remote hills are an ideal environment for coasteering and rock climbing.
Experience the open top coastal link bus along the glorious and rugged Exmoor ‘Heritage’ coastline. Spectacular sea views are to be had travelling along this magnificient coast between the twin villages of Lynton & Lynmouth, Porlock and on to Minehead.
For further information CLICK HERE
Freebording
Hang-Gliding & Paragliding
A freebord is a
specialist skateboard designed to closely simulate the behavior of a snowboard and the 4.2 miles (6.72km) of Porlock Toll Road is downhill all the
way.
Starting at a height of 350 metres on Exmoor
with a 5.25% decline it is very pretty downhill going right down to the
the sea.
Permitted sites are at Countisbury Hill near Lynmouth, where a huge cliff make a visit essential for the experienced pilot while Bossington near Porlock is an ideal place to get current or try new techniques. The North Hill near Minehead offers a great ridge run suitable for all skill levels.
Touring - 21 Mile Scenic Drive
Fishing
Photography & Painting
Exmoor, like R D Blackmore’s heroine Lorna Doone, is both wild and gentle; explore the famous scenic '21 Mile Drive' a wonderful
figure-of-eight scenic tour of the area, including some single track roads that twist and turn down steep tumbling valleys and then run along the
contour of the wooded cliffs, CLICK HERE.
Drive out through the heart of the national park on the B3223/4, named as one of Britain’s finest driving roads for its variety of views and driving challenges.
Sea Fishing - Good harbour & boat
fishing with grey mullet and bass from the harbour arm, drift fishing
for pollack and mackerel and tope, skate and conger in Lynmouth Bay
while kayak fishing is becoming ever more popular in the Bristol Channel.
Freshwater Fishing - The River Lyn is a beautiful river with a good run of salmon as well as sea trout and brown trout. There are several well stocked fisheries in the area as well with Wistlandpound at nearby Blackmoor Gate the nearest.
The stunning natural beauty that is to be found on Exmoor provides both the novice and experienced photographer
and artist with both spectacular locations and magnificent wildlife all year round.
"Lynmouth...the most delightful place for a landscape painter this country can boast" said artist
Gainsborough. Whether painting with watercolours or oils
Exmoor will provide more than enough subject matter, from stunning landscapes and seascapes, to beautiful wildlife and wild flowers.
Lynton Cinema
Diving
Lyn & Exmoor Museum
The Cinema opened as the culmination of a lot of hard work by
local people to turn a redundant church hall into a superb cinema. Styled as the
1930's it is a far cry from the sterile multiplex cinema. The cinema is open 7
days a week and screens the latest movies.
For further information
CLICK HERE
Along the North Devon & Exmoor coastline the tides of the Bristol
Channel run fiercely and the River Severn colours the water, but there
are times when the water is crystal clear and Lundy hangs mysteriously on
the distant horizon inviting you to explore it's hidden depths.
For further information CLICK HERE
A charming small museum with collections from Exmoor life and
history. Housed in Lynton's oldest surviving domestic dwelling, with the
theme of the museum the social history of the villages through the ages. The museum even includes
its own ghost!
For further information
CLICK HERE
Shooting
Golf
Exmoor National Park is surrounded by a wide range of exceptional quality shooting activities with both clays and game.
There is plenty of choice for everyone, you’ll find some of the very best commercial shoots in England with world-class partridge and pheasant shooting.
From the links courses along the coastline to the wonderful parkland courses, North Devon and Exmoor has a great variety for the golfer to play. Ilfracombe, Minehead & West Somerset, Saunton, High Bullen, Royal North Devon, Willingcott Valley, Portmore, Libbaton, Great Torrington, Hartland and Holsworthy.