It's a place we return to again and again, and one of the places we most often recommend to guests. But if you've never visited before, you might be wondering where to start.

The answer is: don't try to do everything.

Exmoor is best discovered slowly.

Spend a morning walking beside a river. Drive across the open moor without worrying too much about where you're going. Stop when you see a view you like. Find a village pub for lunch. Walk through an ancient woodland. Look out for Exmoor ponies.

Then head back to Luckett Farm, light the fire or climb into the hot tub and decide where you'll explore tomorrow.

This is our guide to getting the best from Exmoor.

What is Exmoor National Park?

Exmoor straddles Devon and Somerset, combining open moorland with farmland, wooded valleys, rivers, villages and a spectacular coastline.

And although the wild open moor is probably the image most associated with Exmoor, there's much more variety here than first-time visitors sometimes expect.

The National Park has more than 1,000 km of paths and trails, crossing landscapes ranging from high moorland and farmland to woodland, valleys and coastal scenery. Exmoor National Park

That makes Exmoor wonderful walking country, but you don't have to be a serious walker to enjoy it.

Some of our favourite Exmoor days involve surprisingly little walking at all.

Why we love Exmoor

Perhaps the thing we love most about Exmoor is its sense of space.

There are places where you can stop, look across the landscape and feel a very long way from the rest of the world.

It's also remarkably varied.

One moment you're crossing exposed moorland; the next you're following a narrow lane into woodland beside a river. Continue towards the coast and the landscape changes again, with steep wooded valleys giving way to cliffs and the Bristol Channel.

And scattered throughout are villages, old stone bridges, farms and country pubs.

It feels wild without being inaccessible.

That's a lovely combination.

1. Tarr Steps

If this is your first visit to Exmoor, Tarr Steps is a very good place to start.

Hidden in the wooded valley of the River Barle, Tarr Steps is an ancient-looking stone clapper bridge constructed from large slabs and boulders.

The bridge has 17 spans and is the longest clapper bridge of its kind in Britain. Exmoor National Park

But we'd argue that the setting is every bit as special as the bridge.

The River Barle runs through beautiful woodland, making this a lovely place for a walk before or after seeing Tarr Steps itself.

You don't need to undertake a serious hike either. There's parking and a relatively gentle walk down to the bridge. Exmoor National Park

Luckett Farm recommends

Don't arrive, photograph the bridge and immediately leave.

Give yourself time to follow the river through the woods.

It's one of those places where slowing down pays off.

Good to know: the promoted circular Tarr Steps route is currently affected by the closure of the bridge at Hinds Pitt. You can still walk upstream from Tarr Steps, but you'll need to return without crossing at Hinds Pitt. Check the National Park's latest route information before travelling. Exmoor National Park

2. Valley of Rocks

For a completely different Exmoor experience, head towards Lynton and the Valley of Rocks.

This is Exmoor showing its dramatic side.

Rock formations tower above the coastline and walking routes provide wonderful views across the sea and surrounding landscape.

It's also famous for its goats.

We'd combine the Valley of Rocks with Lynton and Lynmouth rather than treating it as a standalone stop.

That gives you the ingredients for a very good day: dramatic scenery, a walk, interesting villages and somewhere for lunch.

3. Lynton & Lynmouth

Often mentioned together, these neighbouring villages have quite different characters.

Lynton sits above the coast, while Lynmouth lies below where the wooded valleys meet the sea.

They're connected by the famous cliff railway and make an excellent base for exploring this part of Exmoor.

Wander rather than rush.

Have coffee. Explore the shops. Walk along the waterfront. Combine your visit with the Valley of Rocks or a section of the surrounding coast.

This is somewhere we'd happily give most of a day.

4. Walk somewhere

You really should walk at least a little while you're on Exmoor.

Fortunately, that doesn't mean you need to pack for an expedition.

The National Park divides many of its recommended walks into useful categories.

Exmoor Strolls are shorter and more accessible, step-and-stile-free routes, with some suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Exmoor Explorers are shorter walks designed to showcase Exmoor's landscapes, wildlife and history, generally taking from less than an hour to around two and a half hours.

Exmoor Classics are longer routes taking you further into the moorland, valleys and coastline. Exmoor National Park

So there's really no excuse.

You can choose a gentle half-hour stroll or disappear onto the moor for most of the day.

Coming soon to the Luckett Farm Guide

The Best Walks on Exmoor

We'll bring together our favourite easy walks, longer routes, woodland walks, coastal walks, dog-friendly options and — importantly — walks with a good pub nearby.

5. Look for Exmoor ponies

Few animals are as closely associated with this landscape as the Exmoor pony.

Seeing them out on the moor is one of those experiences that immediately makes you feel you've arrived on Exmoor.

You may encounter ponies while driving or walking, but remember these are animals living in an open landscape rather than part of a visitor attraction.

Give them space and enjoy watching them from a respectful distance.

Winsford Hill, in the countryside around Tarr Steps, is one area highlighted by the National Park for its wild ponies. Exmoor National Park

6. Discover Exmoor's villages

Don't spend your entire visit on the open moor.

Exmoor's villages are an important part of its character.

Places such as Exford, Porlock, Dunster and Dulverton are worth incorporating into a day's exploring, whether you're looking for lunch, independent shops, historic buildings or simply somewhere attractive to wander.

And this is where we think a good Exmoor itinerary differs from a sightseeing checklist.

Rather than:

Attraction → attraction → attraction

try:

Walk → village → pub → view → Luckett Farm.

Much better.

7. Find a country pub

A proper country pub should feature somewhere in an Exmoor holiday.

Particularly after a walk.

There are lovely pubs scattered across Exmoor and North Devon, ranging from traditional village locals to places where the food is every bit as important as the beer.

We're going to give this subject a guide of its own because recommendations change and it's worth doing properly.

Coming soon

The Luckett Farm Guide to the Best Pubs on Exmoor

We'll include:

Distance from Luckett Farm · food · Sunday lunch · dogs · fires · gardens · nearby walks · booking advice · why we like it.

Because “Where's a good pub?” is one of the most useful questions a local guide can answer.

8. Experience Exmoor's coast

One of Exmoor's surprises is that it's not just moorland.

The National Park reaches the sea.

The result is some wonderfully dramatic coastal walking, where high ground, cliffs, woodland and the sea come together.

The South West Coast Path passes through Exmoor and can be explored as individual sections rather than as one enormous undertaking. Other long-distance routes through the National Park include the Coleridge Way and Two Moors Way. Exmoor National Park

You certainly don't need to walk hundreds of miles.

Pick a beautiful section.

Walk for a couple of hours.

Then find lunch.

There's a recurring theme developing here.

9. Go stargazing

Don't assume your Exmoor day finishes when it gets dark.

Some of the most memorable experiences happen afterwards.

Exmoor's low levels of artificial light make it an exceptional place for experiencing a properly dark night sky.

There's even a dedicated Dark Sky Discovery Trail, which we'll cover in much more detail in another Luckett Farm guide. Exmoor National Park

And, of course, you don't necessarily need to go anywhere.

One of the pleasures of a rural stay is simply stepping outside, looking upwards and realising how many more stars you can see away from towns and cities.

Coming soon

Stargazing on Exmoor — The Luckett Farm Dark Skies Guide

10. Combine Exmoor with the North Devon coast

This is one of the reasons we think Luckett Farm works so well as a base for exploring this part of Devon.

You don't have to choose between a country holiday and a coastal holiday.

Have both.

North Devon has some superb beaches, including Saunton Sands, Woolacombe and Croyde, alongside quieter coves and sections of dramatic coastline. Surfing, swimming, walking and watersports are all part of the area's appeal. Visit Devon

So one day can be:

Exmoor → walk → country pub → hot tub

and the next:

Saunton → beach → Croyde → seafood → sunset.

That's North Devon.

Exmoor with a dog

If you're bringing your dog to Luckett Farm, you'll find plenty of opportunities for walking.

But remember that Exmoor is working countryside.

The National Park asks visitors using its paths and open-access areas to respect livestock, wildlife, local communities and any temporary restrictions. Exmoor National Park

Keep dogs under appropriate control, particularly around livestock, and pay attention to signs.

We're creating a separate guide to this because there's a lot to cover:

Dog-Friendly North Devon & Exmoor

It will include:

Dog-friendly walks · beaches · pubs · cafés · attractions · practical advice · places near Luckett Farm.

What if I don't want to walk?

That's absolutely fine.

You can have a wonderful day on Exmoor without doing a long walk.

Drive across the moor.

Visit Tarr Steps.

Explore a village.

Stop for lunch.

Visit Lynton and Lynmouth.

Sit somewhere with a view.

Take photographs.

Look for ponies.

Find somewhere for afternoon tea.

Then head home.

Exmoor isn't something you have to conquer.

Sometimes it's enough just to be there.

When is the best time to visit Exmoor?

We don't think there is one.

Spring

New growth, longer days and lovely walking weather make spring an excellent time to explore.

Summer

Long days give you plenty of time to combine Exmoor with the North Devon coast.

Autumn

Possibly the most atmospheric season.

Woodland colour, misty mornings, quieter paths and the prospect of a pub fire afterwards.

Winter

Different again.

Wilder weather and shorter days require a little more planning, but Exmoor can feel wonderfully remote and peaceful.

And returning to a warm cottage after a winter walk is difficult to beat.

North Devon itself works as a year-round destination because of the combination of coast, countryside, villages and activities. Visit Devon

Our perfect Exmoor day

There are hundreds of ways to spend a day on Exmoor.

Ours wouldn't be complicated.

Morning

Leave Luckett Farm after breakfast and head onto Exmoor.

Choose a walk depending on the weather — perhaps somewhere along the River Barle or one of the National Park's shorter Explorer routes.

Lunch

Find a good country pub.

No rush.

Afternoon

Take the long way back.

Drive across the moor, stop when something catches your eye and perhaps explore one of the villages along the way.

Evening

Back to Luckett Farm.

Light the fire.

Open a bottle of something.

If you're staying in one of our properties with a hot tub, get in.

And look up.

That's our kind of Exmoor day.

Frequently asked questions about Exmoor

Is Exmoor worth visiting?

Very much so. Its combination of open moorland, woodland, river valleys, villages and coastline means you can experience several very different landscapes in a single visit.

Is Exmoor in Devon?

Exmoor National Park crosses the counties of Devon and Somerset.

Is Exmoor good for walking?

Yes. There are more than 1,000 km of paths and trails, with promoted routes ranging from accessible short strolls to longer, more challenging walks. Exmoor National Park

Can I visit Exmoor without doing a long walk?

Absolutely. Places such as Tarr Steps can be enjoyed with relatively short walks, while villages, scenic drives, pubs and viewpoints make it easy to enjoy Exmoor at a gentler pace. Exmoor National Park

Can I take my dog to Exmoor?

There are many opportunities to walk with dogs, but Exmoor is working countryside. Follow local signs and restrictions and take particular care around livestock and wildlife. Exmoor National Park

Is Exmoor suitable for less-mobile visitors?

There are accessible options. The National Park's Exmoor Strolls are step-and-stile-free routes graded according to accessibility, with some suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Exmoor National Park

Is Exmoor close to North Devon beaches?

Exmoor forms part of the wider North Devon visitor experience, making it possible to combine moorland and countryside with beaches such as Woolacombe, Saunton and Croyde during the same holiday. Visit Devon

Stay near Exmoor at Luckett Farm

After a day exploring Exmoor, there's something rather lovely about knowing you've got somewhere special to come home to.

At Luckett Farm, we've created four individual places to stay in the North Devon countryside.

There's The Lost Cabin, hidden away beside the woods; Hawkings Hideaway, our secluded shepherd's hut; Keepers Lodge, where contemporary living meets an old Devon longhouse; and Tumbledown Barn, created for getting together with family and friends.

Come for Exmoor.

Discover North Devon.

Walk the coast.

Find a great pub.

Spend a day on the beach.

Or do absolutely nothing.

Sometimes that's the best part.

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CHECK AVAILABILITY →

More North Devon inspiration

Read Guide No. 2: 20 of the Best Things to Do in North Devon →

Read Guide No. 3: The Best Walks on Exmoor →

Make a story of your own.

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