Exmoor is a beautiful place with so much natural beauty all around. Whether you’re a woodland wanderer or a beach stroller, Exmoor is perfect. This guide breaks down the best walks, wildlife spots and beaches you can visit across Exmoor National Park — from ancient clapper bridges to golden sand and dolphin-watching on the coast.
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Let’s kick off this guide with one of the most treasured spots in North Devon: Lynton & Lynmouth. These are gorgeous twin villages, connected by a cliff railway for ease. The popular walk at Lynmouth is the Watersmeet Walk, a circular walk following a flowing river — perfect for those who love the birds and the trees. Halfway through, you’ll come to a cute little café where you can grab a drink before heading back.
This one is for those who love the golden beaches. It’s a lovely, relatively easy walk from the car park to Heddon’s Mouth (the beach), making it perfect for everybody. If you prefer quieter spots over major tourist attractions, Heddon’s Mouth is a great choice — it’s only a small beach. There’s also a lovely pub near the car park to finish your day with a delicious meal.
One of the most beautiful spots to visit, with far fewer tourists than places such as Tarr Steps (though we still recommend a visit). It’s a very pretty area, with a beautiful historic bridge that is also a Grade II* listed building. The walk runs from Withypool to Landacre Bridge — it doesn’t take long, and it’s well worth it for that river swim.
We’d recommend visiting Tarr Steps during the autumn or winter given how busy it gets in summer. It’s a hot spot for locals and tourists, and especially beautiful in autumn as the leaves turn and golden hour comes earlier through the trees. Head for a short woodland stroll or do the circular walk — it’s up to you!
Interested in nature? This Exmoor walk is home to the tallest tree in England, and not many people even know about it. It’s quite the hidden gem, so if you’re looking for an easy walk with some peace and quiet, this is one to consider — and one of the easiest in this guide, perfect for an after-dinner meander.
Fancy a longer walk? This one is much longer than the Tall Trees Trail and lets you see much more of the exquisite Dunster village, including that charming castle. It features country lanes, castle views and woodland trails — we’d put this at the top of our list of places to walk in Exmoor. It’s long, but there’s no pressure to do the full circular route — follow the trail as far as you’re comfortable with and turn back.
This one had to be included on the list of best walks in Exmoor for its dramatic views. Imagine reaching that point, being above everything else and taking in those expansive coastal views — nothing can beat that feeling.
Difficulty: Moderate • Time: About 45 mins to the top • Sights: Coastal views, rolling fields, views of the Bristol Channel • Postcode: TA24 8HY
Heddon’s Mouth and the Dunster Tall Trees Trail are both relatively easy and short, making them ideal for beginners or a relaxed afternoon out.
Dunkery Beacon, Exmoor’s highest point, offers the most dramatic views — on a clear day you can see across the Bristol Channel.
Yes. It’s one of the most photographed spots on Exmoor thanks to its ancient clapper bridge, though it’s best visited outside summer to avoid the crowds.
No, but do check postcodes in advance as some, like Landacre Bridge and Tarr Steps, sit down narrow lanes with limited parking.
This beach is situated in North Devon, and is a great choice for those who love a bit of activity. At Combe Martin, you can hire paddleboards and kayaks to take out to sea and head to a smaller alcove. It’s busy in summer, but well worth a visit — we recommend taking those kayaks out to sea!
Porlock Weir is a pebble harbour rather than a sandy beach. For those who aren’t a fan of getting sand everywhere, this may be the best option — peaceful sea views surrounded by cute cottages. We highly recommend Porlock and Porlock Weir for the architecture, coastal views and range of places to eat.
Situated near Dunster, this beach has a look all of its own. It’s worth a visit if you’d like to head somewhere less well-known. A mix of sand, shingle, sea and grass, it’s great for a wander — bring the dog and have a picnic on the golden sand! You’ll find some gorgeous sunsets here too.
Blue Anchor is a great choice — it’s a quieter, mixed sand-and-shingle beach that’s perfect for a dog walk and a picnic.
No, Porlock Weir is a pebble harbour rather than a sandy beach, though nearby Porlock has a range of places to eat and stay.
Yes, and it’s a popular spot to hire kayaks and paddleboards too, though it does get busy during the summer months.
Blue Anchor’s huge open shoreline makes it one of the best spots on this stretch of coast to catch the sunset.
The highest point on Exmoor has to have sightings of wildlife, right? And that it does. Dunkery Beacon is renowned for spotting wildlife such as wild ponies and red deer. Imagine walking to the top and seeing a herd of red deer — it would feel a little surreal. It’s the highest (no pun intended) on our list, and being up high is perfect for bird sightings too.
Hurlstone Point is a must-visit for birdwatching fanatics. If you’re searching for the best spot to do some birdwatching in Exmoor, Hurlstone Point will come up. It’s said you can see a variety of birds of prey over the cliffs, including red kites and peregrine falcons — perfect whether you want to watch them fly or capture some unique photography.
This is often said to be a great place to spot dolphins around Exmoor. Dolphin sightings are commonly recorded at Combe Martin beach — take a kayak out to sea and look out for them swimming around you. We can’t guarantee you’ll see dolphins every time, given they can be quite elusive, but be still and you’re more likely to see some!
Dunkery Beacon is renowned for sightings of wild ponies and red deer, especially early morning or at dusk.
Yes — dolphin sightings are commonly recorded at Combe Martin beach, though they can be elusive, so patience helps.
Hurlstone Point is a favourite with birdwatchers, with red kites and peregrine falcons regularly spotted over the cliffs.
Binoculars help for birdwatching at the coast, but for red deer and ponies at Dunkery Beacon you can often spot wildlife with the naked eye.
As well as these walks, wildlife spots and beaches, there’s so much more to explore in Exmoor. From quiet woodland trails and dramatic coastal views to ancient landmarks and cosy places to eat, there’s always another corner waiting to be discovered.
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