Exmoor is home to the highest point in southern and western England, Dunkery Beacon, at 519 meters.
The park contains the Tarr Steps, an ancient clapper bridge constructed from large stone slabs without mortar.
It is one of the few places in the UK where the rare Heath Fritillary butterfly can be found in significant numbers.
The landscape features 'hanging' valleys, such as the Valley of Rocks, created by coastal erosion where a river was left suspended above the sea.
Exmoor ponies possess unique physical adaptations, including a 'mealy' muzzle and specialized coat for extreme weather survival.
The park was designated as a National Park in 1954 to protect its unique moorland character.
The village of Selworthy is a preserved model village featuring 18th and 19th-century thatched cottages.
The Watersmeet area is one of the deepest river gorges in Britain, located where the East Lyn River and Hoar Oak Water converge.
Exmoor National Park spans 267 square miles across West Somerset and North Devon, featuring a diverse landscape of coastal cliffs, open moorland, and wooded valleys. It is recognized as Europe's first International Dark Sky Reserve due to its exceptionally low levels of light pollution. The coastline includes some of the highest sea cliffs in England, notably the Great Hangman which reaches 244 meters. The River Barle and River Exe characterize the park's river valleys, which contain temperate rainforest patches known as Atlantic oakwoods. The park hosts a wild population of Exmoor ponies, a breed that has lived in the area since at least the Domesday Book. Archaeological sites ranging from Bronze Age burial mounds to medieval packhorse bridges are scattered throughout the terrain. The South West Coast Path runs along the park's northern edge, providing access to secluded coves and coastal heathland. The terrain remains largely protected from intensive agriculture, maintaining a habitat for red deer, the largest wild land mammals in England.
The Valley of Rocks near Lynton for dramatic coastal cliff vistas.
Carry a physical topographic map, as cellular reception is unreliable across the deep valleys and expansive moors.
Dress in layers regardless of the forecast, as weather conditions on the exposed high moorland can shift rapidly.
Check the tide tables before attempting any coastal walks, as several beach routes become inaccessible at high tide.
Do not attempt to traverse the central moorland during heavy fog or after dark without a GPS or compass, as footpaths are often indistinct.
Follow the Countryside Code: close gates behind you, keep dogs on leads near livestock, and do not feed wild ponies.
