Exmoor Area Guide

Covering 267 square miles (693 square kilometres) of Somerset and Devon countryside, Exmoor is one of the UK’s smallest national parks. According to statistics published in January 2024, it’s also the least-visited of the country’s 15 national parks, receiving only about 2 million visitors per year.

Those low visitor numbers are in no way a reflection of the park’s attractiveness as a destination – in skipping Exmoor National Park, visitors miss out on some gorgeous landscapes covering both countryside and coast. Of course, the bonus for those that do make it here is that you can expect a more peaceful experience than you might find in some of the more popular parks.

If you’d like to get to know the UK’s quietest national park, read on for Pitchup’s introduction to Exmoor – and then delve into detailed articles to help you plan the perfect trip.

Where is Exmoor?

Exmoor National Park is in the south west of England, with 71% of its land area in Somerset and the remaining 29% in Devon. Exmoor is often mentioned in the same breath as its larger Devon cousin Dartmoor, and in fact many visitors combine both parks into one trip as it’s possible to drive between them in an hour or so.

Despite being fairly close together, the scenery of the two parks is quite different – where Dartmoor’s granite landscapes are wild and dramatic, Exmoor’s are rather softer, marked by gentle green hills. Exmoor also runs all the way up to the coast of north Devon and Somerset, a stretch that holds the title of highest coastline in England and Wales. Seaside towns Ilfracombe (just to the west of the park) and Minehead (to the east) are among the most popular accessible places to stay in Exmoor; it’s also easy to get here from nearby towns such as Taunton, Tiverton and Barnstaple.

Can you wild camp on Exmoor?

Wild camping is only allowed in Exmoor National Park if you’ve obtained landowner permission. Whether you’re wild camping in a tent or staying in a motorhome, you should always follow ‘leave no trace’ principles and wild camp responsibly. A good alternative is to find an Exmoor nearly-wild campsite – these peaceful and scenic simple sites give you that feeling of space that comes with wild camping but with the reassurance of staying in an approved location (often with some basic facilities on hand too, to make your stay more comfortable).

What to do in Exmoor

Despite its relatively small size, Exmoor’s mix of countryside and coastal terrain means that it’s packed with variety when it comes to both views and things to do. Like all of the UK’s national parks, Exmoor has plenty of great places to go hiking or cycling, along with other outdoor activities like horse riding or climbing. Wildlife enthusiasts have lots to look out for between the wild ponies on the moor, the seabirds nesting along the coastline and the seals of nearby Lundy Island, and there’s some excellent stargazing to be done in Europe’s first designated International Dark Skies Reserve.

As well as outdoor activities, there are plenty of attractions to visit around Exmoor – places like Exmoor Zoo and the Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park are great for kids, and heritage attractions like Dunster Castle and the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway are well worth visiting. Exmoor is a place that welcomes all visitors, so you may like to take a look at our accessible Exmoor guide or ideas for family-friendly Exmoor to see what’s here for you.

Popular places in Exmoor

The best place to stay in Exmoor National Park depends on what you’d like from your break. Coastal areas tend to be a little busier, but have great access to all sorts of activities and attractions – choose nearby Ilfracombe for boat trips to Lundy Island, Minehead for a child-friendly sandy beach or Lynton and Lynmouth for pretty villages and easy access to scenic walks in the Valley of Rocks. Inland areas are often a bit quieter, so these are the ones to aim for if you want a peaceful break. Most of the park’s villages are very small, but you’ll find a few amenities in places like Simonsbath and Dulverton.

Staying in the open air is a great way to experience Exmoor, as it allows you to soak up the scenery by day and look up at the starry displays of this dark skies park by night. That might mean a simple farm field pitch, a cosy cabin or a luxurious glamping tent – the choice is yours. Have a look at all of Pitchup’s Exmoor accommodation options to see what’s available.