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All you need to know
The unspoilt village of Withypool, with its charming cottages, country pub, and traditional tea rooms is a picturesque spot to base your Exmoor holiday.
The quiet unspoilt village of Withypool lies in the heart of the beautiful Exmoor National Park. With its characterful cottages, country pub, and traditional tea rooms, this ancient village is a wonderful place to base your Exmoor holiday.
Surrounded by interesting Bronze Age sites, bridleways and footpaths, Withypool is an excellent choice for anyone looking to get loose on the moor for a walking holiday. Even those with just a desire to take in some clean air, star gaze, and then cosy up in a country pub will feel right at home. From the village, the 3-4 mile walk to the ancient clapper bridge, Tarr Steps, and its wonderful adjacent inn, makes for a very enjoyable excursion.
Exmoor boasts over six hundred miles of footpaths and bridleways to explore. The moor is steeped in history and is unsurpassed in terms of its natural open scenery and beauty, with pretty heather, deep wooded combes and its famous Exmoor ponies and red deer.
The nearby village of Dunster and its ancient castle, stunning gardens and traditional tea rooms are well worth a visit, as are the pretty coastal harbour towns of Lynton and Lynmouth.
A holiday cottage in Withypool offers a peaceful moorland retreat for those looking for a relaxing holiday in a stunning countryside setting.
Enjoy the sights of Exmoor from the comfort of a Land Rover Discovery and learn about this fascinating landscape and it’s wildlife from local guides who have lived and worked on the moor for generations.
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Join the knowledgeable local team for a leisurely tour of Exmoor in a Land Rover 110 Defender through pretty wooded valleys and dramatic windswept moorland taking in sightings of Exmoor ponies, red deer and birdlife along the way.
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Open seven days a week from April to October, Dulverton’s Guildhall Heritage and Arts Centre gives visitors a taste of old Dulverton, a main exhibition which changes either annually or every two years plus a varied programme of short term exhibitions. There’s also a gift shop for crafty souvenirs.
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One of the best and most challenging locations for off-road cycling, Exmoor enjoys a network of bridleways, lanes and other permitted tracks with ample opportunity for some wonderful rides. The Exmoor OS Explorer Map has details of the many routes available, but it is asked that you take into consideration other users, wildlife and the environment when mountain biking in the area by only using permitted tracks and following the Countryside Code, which you can find on the Exmoor National Park website.
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Founded in 2017 Exmoor Distillery produces a range of world class gins and rums from its premises in Dulverton. For a real taste of all the love and care that goes into these small batch spirits from the husband and wife team behind the brand, join one of the tours and tastings which run 7 days a week.
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A historic beamed inn that has been the focal point of Withypool for over 300 years and a great spot to relax whilst exploring Exmoor. A good wine cellar and well stocked bar including an extensive range of Whiskies complements a restaurant menu brimming with local ingredients and produce.
The Royal Oak Higher Mead, Withypool, Minehead TA24 7QP (T: 01643 831506)
Decent pub food albeit at the top end price-wise. Pint of local ale well in excess of £4… a shock to the system given that where I live our local Allendale Brewery pint is about £1 cheaper. But apart from that the hospitality was good and friendly, kids menu is well-priced and generous.
July 2021
Had lunch one day. Very good all round.
December 2019
Lovely, friendly local pub at the end of a beautiful riverside walk. Good good and excellent beer and cider.
July 2018
Very friendly, lovely pub with delicious food
June 2018
Excellent food!
May 2018
We had 2 evening meals here and enjoyed both.lovely old pub Need to book can be busy.
June 2017
Ate here twice this week during our stay near Withypool and found the Royal Oak to be very comfortable, with a good atmosphere, and excellent food with generous portions.
June 2017
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In the heart of Exmoor National Park on the banks of the River Exe you’ll find this beautiful 16th century inn. The chefs work closely with local suppliers to deliver the highest quality menus both in the bar and restaurant which are open for lunch and dinner 7 nights a week. Cosy and welcoming throughout and the outdoor tables overlooking the river are just the place for a Devon cream tea with lashings of jam and clotted cream.
Exmoor White Horse Chapel St, Exford, Minehead TA24 7PY (T: 01643 831229)
Nice pint Thatchers Gold & Sandwich for Lunch
September 2023
Found in the heart of Exmoor National Park by the historic Tarr Steps on the River Barle, the 16th century Tarr Farm Inn is a fabulous spot to stop for some award-winning food and drink in jaw droppingly beautiful surroundings. Book a table in the cosy bar and feast on the hearty bar menu or enjoy the more formal restaurant with a full a la carte menu. If the weather is good, go for the tables outside in the garden overlooking Tarr Steps.
The Tarr Farm Inn Tarr Steps Farm, Dulverton TA22 9PY (T: 01643851507)
A pretty village pub dating from the 15th century where walkers, families and everyone in between can enjoy the excellent food, local Exmoor Ales and warm welcome from the staff. Light lunches, sandwiches, hearty roasts and restaurant standard evening meals are offered in the cosy bar, restaurant or outside in the garden.
The London Inn South Molton, Somerset EX36 3NG (T: 01769 550269)
The Rest & Be Thankful was originally a staging post for travellers on their way from Dunster to Dulverton and almost 200 years later you will still find a warm welcome, good food and a choice of local ales and spirits. In a great spot for a home cooked meal after working up an appetite on one of the many fabulous walks in the area, or simply a drink in the cosy bar with log fires in winter.
The Rest & Be Thankful Wheddon Cross, Minehead TA24 7DR (T: 01643841222)
After 30 miles of Exmoor coastline that’s predominantly cliffs, at Porlock the land flattens out and a unique mile long shingle ridge and an inland salt marsh have formed. It’s a short walk from there to the centre of Porlock, where there are lots of marked footpaths to explore. Porlock Weir Beach itself is a pebble beach that welcomes dogs all year round. It’s a prime spot for swimming, fishing, surfing and sailing, and there are cafes, restaurants, toilets, pubs and shops close by to explore. There is pay and display parking close to the beach, so don’t forget your change when you visit, and you will be pleased to know that the water quality is reputedly excellent.
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Perpetually featured amongst the best beaches in the area, Minehead Beach is in one of Somerset’s busiest holiday areas. Divided into two sections, The Strand is a wide sand and shingle beach that faces North-to-North West, it looks out across the Bristol Channel towards Wales. Terminus meanwhile is the north-facing part that was almost completely washed away in the early ‘90s. After a multimillion pound project, a sea wall was completed. Today it’s an excellent spot for swimming, kite-surfing and windsurfing. Dog restrictions apply in the summer and there are cafes, restaurants, toilets and shops all close by.
Great beach with plenty of space for the dogs to run. Very clean.
March 2022
A shingle beach that arcs out into the sea from Lynton, Lynmouth Beach is a popular spot for surfing, but there’s no lifeguard cover so be careful when you go! The area is known for its excellent scenery and pleasant walking along the sea front and along the banks of the Lyn River which flows between the two towns of Lynton and Lynmouth. There is also a cliff railway from Lynton down to the sea front. At Lynton there is a smaller beach with rocks at low tide, while Lynmouth Beach is longer and sandier. Lynmouth has level access all the way along, and there are several car parks in the town as well as road parking by the river and beach. Toilets, cafes and shops are close by, but there aren’t any activities available, it’s all about enjoying the scenery!
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Long sand and shingle beaches peppered with alabaster rocks that are perfect for finding fossils, Blue Anchor Bay and Dunster Beach in Somerset are adjacent to one another, and are beautiful places to while away the afternoon, whatever time of the year. Dogs are allowed on the beaches all year round, which is a novelty, there are toilets close by, and a pub as well for those lazy lunches after a morning’s stroll. The West Somerset Railway comes close to the beach, adding an extra layer of interest, and there’s plenty of parking close to both of them as well, which is always a blessing. The beaches are tidal and can get a little muddy at low tide, so careful not to slip and don’t get caught out when the water comes in!
Nice flat promenade with easy parking.
November 2023
Both well-worth a visit.
April 2019
On the South West Coast Path, Wringcliff Beach is within walking distance of the little town of Lynton and a number of secluded bays along the coastline. The beach itself is a secluded bay surrounded by high cliffs with a steep access path, making it a tricky one to visit if you have small children with you. Of course, because it’s a little difficult to get to, it’s also wonderfully peaceful with incredible views to enjoy. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year around and it’s perfect for adventurous walkers. There’s parking is in the valley of the rocks which is accessed and signposted through Lynton, but once you’re there it’s not that easy to reach toilets and restaurants, to if the weather permits, take a picnic and enjoy the day!