Exmoor Area Guide

Written By Rest + Wild

Find tranquillity in the remote Exmoor landscape. Like all of our Hideaways, Rest + Wild Exmoor is designed to ease your restlessness and offer you a home in nature.

A scenic hour-and-a-half drive southwest of Bristol, Exmoor spans 267 miles of untamed wilderness, covering parts of North Devon and West Somerset. Our cabins are spread across four fields, each promising privacy and spectacular views across Devon to Dartmoor. Home to the highest coastline and darkest skies of the British mainland, here's everything you need to know about Exmoor National Park. 

Milky way captured on Exmoor

Stargazing

Named Europe's first International Dark Sky Reserve, Exmoor National Park is one of 20 Dark Sky Reserves in the world. 

Experience infinity and stargaze from the comfort of your cabin - you might even get a glimpse of the milky way. Top-rated places for stargazing include Brendon Common, Wimbleball Lake, County Gate Car Park, Bossington Hill, Dunkery Beacon and Webber's Post and Winsford Hill. 

Eating + Drinking

As the cabins are entirely remote, you can stock the kitchen before you arrive by pre-ordering from our selection of bespoke food hampers. Otherwise, Exmoor has plenty of welcoming pubs and restaurants (most are dog-friendly, but we recommend checking); here are some of our favourites:

  1. The Mason's Arms, Knowstone | 14-minute drive | Hidden in a charming nearby village, step into this 13th-century thatched pub for award-winning gourmet food.

  2. The London Inn, Molland | 5-minute drive | Just around the corner from the cabins is a homely traditional 16th-century pub serving generous portions and local beer.

  3. The Exmoor Forest Inn, Simonsbath | 22-minute drive | Historically the local haunt of smugglers and bandits, now a cosy restaurant that serves sustainable and delicious dishes. 

  4. Tarr Farm Inn, Dulverton | 28-minute drive | Walk the historic Tarr Steps on the River Barle, then retreat to this beautiful gastropub to taste local produce or a cream tea. 

  5. Black Venus Inn, Challacombe | 30-minute drive | A traditional stone-built pub tucked away in the heart of Exmoor, this place is full of warmth and character.

  6. Hunter's Inn, Heddon's Valley | 45-minute drive | If you venture towards the coast, stop into this welcoming pub for a wholesome meal inspired by the seasons.

Birdseye view of Exmoor

Walking 

Exmoor offers endless walking and cycling routes, including ones that start from the threshold of our cabins. You can find an extensive list and map here, but below are a few highlights:

  1. Dunkery Beacon | A short, gentle hike across open moorland to the top of Exmoor's highest peak, where you will be rewarded with incredible 360-degree views of surrounding hills and woodland and, of course, the Bristol Channel.

  2. Tarr steps | Choose from a short circular riverside walk over an ancient bridge, or take a gentle seven-mile ramble alongside the river before looping through Withypool.

  3. Valley of the rocks | The north side of Exmoor boasts a dramatic coastline, sometimes called The Wilderness Coast, and some of England's most beautiful beaches. Formed by coastal erosion, the Valley of the rocks is a renowned spot to hunt for fossils. It’s also an introduction to the sea views and notable coastal elevations of the South West coast path. 

Exmoor coastline on the north side of the park

Wild Swimming

Improve your circulation and strengthen your immune system with a refreshing dip at one of Exmoor's many freshwater swimming spots.

  1. Landacre bridge | 13-minute drive | Swim beneath a medieval bridge which spans the River Barle. When the weather is good, the deep pools further upriver by Sherdon Hutch are worth exploring.

  2. Long Pool, Watersmeet | 34-minute drive | This spot is particularly wild, with a forested glen of ancient oak trees featuring a natural waterfall and overgrown ferns. There are small plunge pools by the teashop, but 1.5km further on is Long Pool, a long ravine for more experienced swimmers.

  3. Cow Castle | 25-minute drive | Park up and take a hike down to the refreshing plunge pools of the Barle, near the ancient hill fort ‘Cow Castle'.

  4. Wimbleball Lake | 30-minute drive | The annual Exmoor Open Water Swim opens the beautiful Wimbleball Lake to those keen to try a longer-distance freshwater swim. While the lake isn't open for swimming outside the event, other watersports are available.

Wildlife

Exmoor has a diverse landscape and habitats which support an abundance of flora and fauna. During your stay, you will likely see a variety of birds, as well as Exmoor's iconic residents, the rare-breed Exmoor Pony and red deer.

Rare-breed Exmoor Pony

Activities

  1. Horseriding | There are over 400 miles of bridleways available to riders of all abilities on Exmoor. Burrowhayes Riding Stables offer experienced riders escorted rides.

  2. Mountain biking | Another way to explore the moors’ bridleways is to bring your bike or rent one. 

  3. Honey tasting | Witness the honey-making process at nearby award-winning Quince Honey Farm.

  4. Head to the coast | Drive 40 minutes over Exmoor to the coast for beautiful beaches, hidden coves and plenty of watersports.

Rest + Wild