Exmoor Coast and Country Guide for Exmoor Holidays

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Coastal Charms

The Exmoor coast is short but endlessly varied. Towards the eastern end, around Kilve and East Quantoxhead, the land meets the sea in a flat embrace at the feet of the Quantock Hills. The ancient port of Watchet lies here, with its Old Worlde charm, tangle of narrow back lanes and quaint shops, all leading to the swish new Marina, whilst Blue Anchor and Minehead have their lively holiday beaches, with the steam trains of the West Somerset Railway hooting and puffing in the background.

The western flank of Foreland Point shelters Lynmouth in its wooded cleft, with its sister village of Lynton perched high above. The dramatic Heddon’s Mouth, where river boulders are overshadowed by vast cliff faces leads to the long, rugged coast around Red Cleave, Watermouth and Blackstone Point and drops at last to the sheltered resorts of Combe Martin and Woolacombe, with their sandy bays.

Minehead offers traditional seaside fun. It is an attractive, flower-filled resort with a wide, smart new promenade and large sandy beach. It has won regional, national and international awards for its floral displays. The colourful, popular seafront is filled with family attractions and amusements, but, do not overlook the resort’s quieter corners – the pretty area around Quay Street and the harbour, beautiful Blenheim Gardens and the picturesque Higher Town with its lime washed thatched cottages.

Walk the coast path the convenient way, with the help of local bus services (details from information centres). Or, why not view it from a smuggler’s perspective on a cruise from Lynmouth, Minehead or Watchet.

In 2003, Porlock was crowned the ‘best large village in Somerset’. Visit the quaint village and find out why! Just a few minutes away is the charming, friendly Porlock Weir – an artist’s delight and craft haven.

The ‘Valley of the Rocks’ is an amazing place, known as Lynton and Lynmouth’s spectacular ‘Little Switzerland’. The dry valley (no river flows here any longer) is lined with craggy outcrops that have been eroded into fantastic shapes. Look out for the wild goats, as well as the stunning sea views!

Shore things

	The coastline of the National Park is a short one, only 34 miles long, but packed with beautiful places from end to end.
	Much of the Lynmouth you see today – including the Rhenish Tower, Lynmouth Street bridge and the harbour wall – is a reconstruction of buildings and structures wrecked in a terrible flood in August 1952, as graphically depicted in the local museum.
	The South West Coast Path, which runs along the northern coast of Exmoor, is Britain’s longest long-distance trail – it finishes at Poole Harbour in Dorset, 630 miles from its starting point in Minehead!
	Although it’s more of a very steep slope than a sheer drop, the 800-ft Great Hangman near Combe Martin is the highest sea cliff in mainland Britain.
	Trees don’t normally thrive on coasts – too much salt and wind in the air – but Exmoor, of course, is different! The Exmoor coast is the most thickly wooded in Britain, especially the stretch between Porlock and Foreland Point with its wonderful ancient oak woodlands.

Watch out for Watchet. This ancient little seaport has a quirky charm and a history of Viking invasions. It’s an intriguing mix of narrow streets, old maritime buildings and the new Marina. Coleridge wrote his epic poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner after a visit in 1797, which is now celebrated by a magnificent statue. There are two fantastic museums here tracing the significant history of the land and the sea.