top of page
EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK
LYNTON,LYNMOUTH
& VALLEY OF THE ROCKS
How to spend the day!
Begin by parking in Lynmouth and taking time to explore the village. You’ll find small shops selling gifts, candles, and local produce, along with ice cream, fudge, and pasties. The Morris Bishop art gallery is worth a visit, and you may even see the artist at work. There’s also a National Park museum and several sites of historical interest around the village.
From Lynmouth, the cliff top railway carries you up to Lynton, a unique and enjoyable experience. Lynton itself has more independent shops, vintage and charity shops, and a wonderful spot for cream teas. From the town it’s about a 15-minute walk to the Valley of the Rocks, a dramatic coastal landscape with plenty of photo opportunities. If you bring a flask, the clifftops make a great spot for a brew with a view. Otherwise there is a tearoom alongside the cricket pitch with lots of outside seating.
You can then return to Lynmouth by following the South West Coast Path. The trail runs along the cliff edge, with wide sea views, before leading directly back to the car park. The circular route finishes nicely with fish and chips from the local shop, which has a strong reputation.
DUNKERY & HORNER WOOD
A Rambling Route Recommendation!
This corner of Exmoor is one of my all-time favourites. It’s a place that works just as well for a quick stop to breathe in the views as it does for a gentle ramble or a full day’s hike.
The drive over Dunkery Beacon is worth a detour in itself. There are plenty of laybys and small parking spots where you can pause to take it all in. In late summer, the hills are blanketed in purple heather, and throughout the year you’ll spot Exmoor ponies, sheep, and a variety of birdlife. At 519 metres, it’s the highest point on Exmoor, so the panoramic views are incredible.
In Horner, you’ll find a National Trust tea room — a perfect stop before wandering along the stream that winds into the ancient woodland.
My personal recommendation for a day trip is to start at Webber’s Post — one of my all time favourite spots! From here, take the trail down through the forest, eventually emerging in Horner. After a cream tea, you can tackle the steep climb back to the car. In summer, you will find lots of wild blueberries along the way and spot wildlife.
From there, it’s just a short drive higher up towards Dunkery Beacon. If you’ve packed a picnic tea, it’s the perfect spot to finish your day: walk up to the summit, settle in, and watch the sun set across Exmoor.
That’s exactly how I’d spend the day if I were you!
BROADSANDS BEACH
Broadsands Beach greatest strength and biggest weakness is one and the same - that it is a little more difficult to get to. While there's a short hike and a 200+ step descend (and concequently ascent back again!) it gives you the security knowing it should be fairly free of crowds and an escape from reality.
Once on the beach you can enjoy a stunning private cove, perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking and exploring the rock pools. It's a wet sand beach and worth noting the tide times. Also remember that until later on in the day much of the beach will be shaded. But it's a great sunset spot!
BOSSINGTON HILL
All the possibilities of Bossington Hill!
Firstly, It's location is around 10 mins from the town of Minehead so you can combine the two as much or as little as you like.
The no through road across North Hill has stunning panoramic scenery to enjoy and it leads to a car park at the end overlooking Bossington beach. So if you have any mobility issues it's a perfect spot to enjoy a view without the walk.
Alternatively, if walking is your thing there are plenty routes you can do around Bossington Hill. My favourite round walk would be to walk from the car park across to Hurlstone Point. From Hurlstone Point you walk down to Bossington Beach, into the village of Allerford where you can see the famous pack horse bridge and then up to Selworthy. Where you can enjoy a cream tea t the Periwinkle tea rooms in the yellow thatches cottages. The village also has a lovely white church which has stunning views over to Dunkery Beacon. Then it's a steep march back up to Bossington Hill.
I think it's a beautiful hike to do all year around except worth being careful on the first stretch to Hurlstone point if it's too windy, you can skip this patch to be safe.
bottom of page