Exmoor National Park

National Park ·🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Population 10,192

Area 687 km²

Time zone Europe/London

Official website www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk

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Explore Exmoor National Park

Exmoor National Park Essentials

Exmoor National Park spans the hilly moorland of Somerset and Devon, characterized by unique geological and historical landmarks. This selection features Dunkery Beacon, the park’s highest summit, and the prehistoric Tarr Steps clapper bridge. Architectural highlights include the medieval Dunster Castle, the Cistercian ruins of Cleeve Abbey, and St Beuno's Church, England's smallest parish church. Coastal features include the water-powered Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway and the dramatic rock formations of the Valley of Rocks.

12 places

Ancient Sites & Ruins

Exmoor’s landscape preserves a timeline of human history, from the prehistoric Withypool Stone Circle to Iron Age hillforts like Bat’s Castle and Elworthy Barrows. The collection features the well-preserved Cistercian ruins of Cleeve Abbey and the 15th-century Butter Cross in Dunster. These scheduled monuments include Norman earthworks at Holwell Castle and the 19th-century remains of the Wheal Eliza mine, offering a comprehensive look at Somerset’s defensive and industrial heritage.

10 places

Somerset Heritage Sites

This collection of Somerset's heritage sites spans thousands of years, from the prehistoric Withypool Stone Circle and the Iron Age earthworks of Elworthy Barrows to the 6th-century Caratacus Stone. Medieval landmarks include the well-preserved Cistercian ruins of Cleeve Abbey and the 11th-century Holwell Castle earthworks. The list also features distinctive architectural engineering, such as the prehistoric Tarr Steps clapper bridge and the 15th-century packhorse bridge at Allerford, alongside historic parish churches and the Grade II* listed Butter Cross in Dunster.

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Historic Churches & Chapels

Exmoor’s landscape is home to centuries of ecclesiastical history, ranging from the 12th-century St Mary Magdalene in Withiel Florey to the Grade I listed Church of St John the Baptist in Carhampton. This collection features architectural highlights such as St Beuno's, renowned as England’s smallest parish church, and several Grade II* listed medieval structures. Beyond traditional Anglican parishes, the list includes Lee Abbey, an ecumenical Christian community founded in 1946, offering a diverse look at the spiritual heritage of Somerset and Devon.

12 places

Peaks & Viewpoints

Exmoor’s landscape is defined by its diverse elevations, ranging from the 519-meter summit of Dunkery Beacon to Great Hangman, the highest sea cliff in England and Wales. This collection includes prominent landmarks like the Iron Age hill fort at Wind Hill and the 5th-century Caratacus Stone on Winsford Hill. The list covers dramatic geological formations in the Valley of Rocks and expansive coastal vistas from Selworthy Beacon and The Foreland, highlighting the region's unique blend of moorland and maritime geography.

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Historic Structures of Exmoor

Exmoor’s landscape is defined by centuries of architectural heritage, from the prehistoric Tarr Steps clapper bridge to the medieval Bury Bridge packhorse crossing. This collection features Dunster Castle, a motte and bailey fortress turned country house, and the 19th-century Lynmouth Foreland Lighthouse perched on Foreland Point. These structures, including the multi-arched Landacre Bridge and the stone Withypool Bridge, showcase the evolution of Somerset’s rural infrastructure across the River Barle and the rugged coastline.

6 places