Description
Explore Exmoor: Coast, Cliffs and Moor
Grade 
Based in the delightful mediaeval village of Dunster, explore the beautiful diverse coast and moorland scenery of the Exmoor national park on this week-long holiday: beautiful coastal paths, majestic cliffs and wild heather moorland.
Price: £1070
– Sole occupancy supplement £125
Duration:
7 nights
Departure date:
-July 19th 2024
Exmoor isn’t just about moorland -we are spoilt for choice with walking options in this beautiful and diverse area. From beautiful coastal paths over majestic cliffs, through secluded coves and past wave washed rocks, to wild open heather moorland, hidden valleys and wooded riverside trails, Exmoor really does have it all! On this week-long holiday we explore varied scenery and the ancient towns and villages of that this area has to offer. One of these, the charming mediaeval village of Dunster, will be our home for the week
Holiday highlights
- Walk sections of the South West Coastal Path and take in views across the beautiful North Somerset coast and the Bristol Channel.
- Explore Lorna Doone country and cross the River Barle on the Tarr Steps clapper bridge -assuming that the Devil lets us!
- Climb across dramatic open moorland to Exmoor’s highest point, Dunkery Beacon, for spectacular views across Exmoor and the surrounding countryside and coast.
- Stay in the welcoming Yarn Market Hotel situated opposite the famous Yarn Market itself and delve into the cobbled streets and ancient buildings of the delightful mediaeval village of Dunster.
Accommodation
Our base for this holiday is the Yarn Market Hotel in Dunster. Dunster is a delightful mediaeval village nestled in the Exmoor National Park. Its cobbled streets are home to a watermill, a dovecote and a church with a famous carillon of bells. If that weren’t enough to evoke the feeling of idyllic English scenery, the village is overlooked by the fairytale Dunster Castle, perched high on a hill above it. The beach is less than a mile away and Dunster station is home to the West Somerset steam railway. In short, Dunster is a beautiful location for a week’s holiday.
The Yarn Market Hotel is situated opposite the iconic Yarn Market, an octagonal building that was once the hub of Exmoor’s thriving wool trade. This independent 3 star hotel prides itself on friendly service and hearty food. Each of its 28 rooms is individual in character but each has a comfortable bed, ensuite bath or shower room and tea and coffee making facilities.
Single supplements and upgrades
Sole occupancy of a double room supplement: £125
Included
- En-suite half board accommodation in the lovely Yarn Market Hotel.
- A three-course meal, served on each evening in the hotel restaurant.
- 5 days guided walking with a qualified and professional leader.
- All transport to and from walks.
Not included
- Lunches -these are available to buy from local shops in Dunster or can be ordered from the hotel
- Incidental expenses such as drinks.
Day-to-Day Itinerary
The following is the proposed itinerary. Please bear in mind that in the event of local conditions changing, for example due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary to change the itinerary.
The walks will be ordered during the week to make the most of the conditions.
Day 1
Arrive at the Yarn Market Hotel and check into your room. Meet at 7pm in the lounge for a short briefing about the week ahead before our three-course dinner is served in the hotel’s restaurant.
Meals included: dinner
Day 2: South West Coast Path to Porlock Weir
We start our holiday at Minehead’s pretty harbour by the striking map monument marking the start point of the South West Coast Path (SWCP). The SWCP runs for 630 miles but today we will be following just the first 10 or so miles of it, though perhaps after this holiday you will feel inspired to do more! From the harbour we climb up onto Culver Cliff, pass the remains of Burgundy Chapel and continue onto the heath above. We then follow the SWCP as it travels west, taking in spectacular views across the North Somerset coast and the Bristol Channel. After pausing at Hurlstone Point for lunch we descend to Porlock Weir where, after a little time to explore, our private bus collects us for our return journey.
15.5 km (9.5 miles) ascent/descent 300 m
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 3: Withypool and the Tarr Steps
No visit to Exmoor is complete without crossing the River Barle on the beautifully preserved clapper bridge, the Tarr Steps. We start our walk in the delightful village of Withypool. Its thatched pub in this pretty village, the Royal Oak, dates from the 17th century. R.D. Blackmore frequently stayed here and is reputed to have written part of the novel Lorna Doone sitting at the bar. From the village we head up onto Withypool Hill to take in views across Exmoor before heading down to the River Barle and the Tarr steps. We stop here for a reasonably leisurely lunch. The Tarr Steps Inn is available for refreshments, or you may prefer to picnic on or near the steps. However don’t be tempted to sunbathe as legend has it only the devil has the right to do that! After lunch we follow the River Barle as it winds its way back to Withypool. There should be time to follow in R.D. Blackmore’s steps and have a drink at the bar before our return to Dunster.
16 km (10 miles) ascent/descent 350 m
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 4: Exmoor’s highpoint, Dunkery Beacon
Today we take in views from Exmoor’s highest point, Dunkery Beacon. Walking from the hotel, we climb gradually to the highpoint of Wotton Common and then onto Dunkery Beacon itself. The reward for our efforts is a magnificent view not only over a large part of Exmoor, but much of the surrounding countryside and coast as well. We descend to the south, to Dunkery Bridge, and then follow the delightful Avill Valley, in early spring awash with snowdrops, to the village of Wheddon Cross. There should be time to explore Wheddon Cross’s brilliantly named Rest and be Thankful Inn before returning to Dunster in our private bus.
17 km (10.5 miles) ascent 700 m, descent 470
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 5: Free day
Today you have free to discover the local area. There is plenty to explore in and around Dunster itself: Dunster Castle and Dunster Working Water Mill are both owned by the National trust and are open for visitors. With these attractions as well as Dunster church and Dovecote, as well as the town itself, it is possible to pass a very pleasant and relaxing day without straying far.
The West Somerset Steam Railway runs from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard, which makes it the longest, standard gauge, privately run railway in England. With a Rover Ticket you can get off and on as you wish at all the quaint village stations along the route. You could spend the day exploring the pretty villages attached to the stations and enjoy the beautiful scenery as you travel through the Quantocks with views of Exmoor in the distance.
Further afield are the North Somerset beaches, Exmoor Zoo and the city of Bristol.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 6: The Coastal Path through Lynmouth and Lynton
Today we return to the South West Coastal Path to walk the spectacuar section through Lynmouth and Lynton. Starting on the cliffs by the tiny village of Countisbury we descend down into Lynmouth. We will have some time here to explore, and then either walk up the steps to Lynton or take the funicular railway (recommended!). From Lynton we walk through the aptly named valley of Rocks and then onto a breathtaking section of path over Great Burland Rocks and down to Heddon’s Mouth.
Distance: 14 km (8.5 miles) ascent/descent 750 metres
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 7: A walk through Lorna Doone Country
Today’s walk through Lorna Doone country is an exceptionally fine and varied walk. We start in the tiny village of Malmsmead and walk south along Badgworthy Water before turning to climb up onto the moors to walk through some of Exmoor’s finest scenery. Once over Shilstone Hill we drop down to Rockford to pick up the East Lyn river, first following the river, and then climbing a little way above it for superb views over the valley, Malmsmead and the moors.
15 km (9.5 miles) ascent/descent 520 m
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 8
The holiday finishes after breakfast. It’s goodbye -until next time!
Meals included: breakfast
Kit list
For walking each day:
- Good walking boots or shoes
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Lightweight, quick drying trousers
- Base layer
- Mid-layer such as a fleece jacket and an additional ‘spare’ layer depending on the forecast
- Walking socks
- Warm hat and gloves -just in case the weather turns
- Sun hat, sunglasses, lip salve and high SPF sun block
- Day sack (25 litre capacity is a good size) to comfortably carry your kit, lunch and water
- Dry bag or rucksack cover to keep the contents of your daypack dry
- Water bottle
- Basic first aid kit (plasters, blister treatment, antiseptic etc)
- Some snacks to keep you going
- Walking/trekking poles (if you use them)
Maps
OS Explorer map OL9, Exmoor
Group size
This guided holiday will have a maximum group size of 14.
