The sunny weather had lots of people out walking in and around Exmoor last weekend, us included. We really enjoyed our walk from Lee Bay along the coast to Lynton, the Victorian lift down to Lynmouth and welcome refreshments in the pub. Our guests were knocked out by their first view of Valley of the Rocks; a truly dramatic and breathtakingly unexpected landscape on the North Devon coast. Apparently legend has it that the valley was home to the devil’s castle and one day he came back to find that his wives had been ‘partying’ energetically – and drunkenly – with the neighbours. He was in such a rage (whether from the fact that his wives had been misbehaving, or that he had missed the party I am not sure) that he turned the women into turrets of rock.
The guides taking part in this spring’s North Devon and Exmoor Walking Festival (27 April – 6 May 2012) have many more myths and legends to relate, as well as expert knowledge on the geography and flora and fauna of the area. The festival covers parts of the Exmoor National Park with Park, Crown Estate and National Trust Rangers guiding several of the walks. The walks range from a short half-day up to a full day’s hike, so there is something for most abilities. Several walks include food along the way, lunch at a delightful pub or a cream tea at a farm or guest house.

Let us know your favourite Exmoor walks.

For places to stay while you enjoy the activities below see our Accommodation pages

To find out what’s on throughout the year see our Events pages

The quest for the Dragon’s lair sees a treasure trail through the grounds of the National Trust’s Dunster Castle in Somerset between11 – 19 Feb 2012. The trail starts from the 17^th century stables and will allow visitors to enjoy breathtaking views over the sea to towards Wales, as well as overlooking the beautiful medieval village of Dunster and up to Exmoor National Park. Dragon prizes go to all participants that complete the trail (£2 per trail plus normal garden admission: £4.70 per adult and £2.20 per child).

The Culbone Inn  is offering a family Dark Skies Safari during the February half term week. Available every evening, would-be astronomers will be picked up at the Inn – the highest on Exmoor – by a knowledgeable guide and taken to the best places to see the clearest skies that night (Exmoor National Park was recently awarded Dark Sky Reserve accreditation, the first place in Europe to receive this award). The trip costs £70 (2 adults and 2 children under 13years) and will last 2 ½ hours.  24 hours before the tour, guests will have their tour confirmed based on the weather forecast. Tours need to be booked in advance but there is no payment up front. Delicious dinners available too. www.TheCulbone.com 01643 862259.

The Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton, Somerset represents the flying arm of the Royal Navy. With four exhibition halls, over ninety aircraft and 30 thousand artefacts the Museum is the world’s second largest naval aviation Museum. This half term the pirates are coming. Every day from 13 – 17 Feb there will be some fearsome family activities, including drawing pirate maps, making eye patches, learning to speak like a pirate and other scurvy going-ons.  The Royal Marines will open their climbing wall for the public to have a go, and  representatives from the Royal Navy’s 815 Squadron who will give a talk on the problem of modern day piracy. Normal admission prices apply (adults £13, children 5 – 16 years £9: family ticket £38). Visit www.fleetairarm.com or call 01935 840565 for more details.

North Devon Hawk Walks are offering a one hour introduction to falconry on Exmoor this February.  This practical, hands-on introduction to falconry is great for all ages and children,  in particular, get a great deal out of it. Costs £10 per person. For more details visit  www.NorthDevonHawkWalks.co.uk or call 01598n740114.

Children can get outdoors and active at Hestercombe Gardens, near Taunton in Somerset this half term. Kids aged 8 – 16 can take part in a whole host of activities including mountain biking over the Quantocks, rafting, den building, bush craft, team games and survival skill on the Outdoor Adventure Days (£23 per day) . For more information visit www.hestercombe.com or call  01823 410236.

Not so much an event but certainly somewhere to take the kids is Dunster Estate’s tall trees trail, where there is a lovely easy going route (suitable for buggies and wheelchairs) amongst the tallest trees in England, as well as other way-marked trails for the more adventurous family. Located at the northern tip of Exmoor National Park and close to the medieval town of Dunster, the trails are all Free to use (Just £1 car park charge for up to 2 hrs, £2 all day). www.DunsterEstate.co.uk

We were all delighted to read Brian Jackman’s piece “Exmoor: Into the wild, with stags and stars” in the Telegraph this Saturday and available on line here: http://tgr.ph/wpbAB8 . Brian visited us in November, just as winter snuck in, and he was thrilled with this small part of the UK that he hadn’t really explored before. Being an Africa man he is often sent by the Telegraph and other newspapers to warmer climes but, well-wrapped up, he enjoyed exploring our misty moors, valleys and coastline. (He kindly didn’t mention the fact that it was so misty one day that our guide had us completely bogged down in unexpectedly marshy ground! ) Used to spotting big game he was just as thrilled to spy his first red stag standing proudly on the Exmoor hills.
Luckily on the night we had arranged for him to go stargazing it was really clear: “From end to end the heavens are ablaze with their cold fire”.
Less fortuitously it was rather cloudy when all of Dulverton switched off its lights for the BBC’s Stargazing Live (http://bbc.in/yP1AVt ) but although there weren’t many stars to be seen that night, it was still a unique event which brought the whole town together.
I think Brian’s spot on descriptions really summed up the essence of Exmoor in the winter. Do let us know what you think.

Whoever said ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing’ wasn’t out on the moors last Thursday. The wind was really wild and the safest place to be was tucked inside beside a roaring fire reading a good book. If you haven’t read it yet, Lorna Doone by R D Blackmore would be a good literary choice when in Exmoor, as it offers a real sense of place. Set in the Badgworthy or ‘Lorna Doone’ Valley this well-loved story is a fictional ‘romance’, however the detailed descriptions of real events and places paints a colourful picture of the people and the area in the late 17th century.
When the weather calms down all the landmarks of the story can still be explored. There is a lovely gentle walk alongside the river from Malmshead to the tiny Oare Church where Lorna Doone married (and Blackmore’s grandfather was once the rector), and at Badgworthy Water the scattered ruins of a long-abandoned village is famous as the Doone’s home. Visitors can stay nearby and explore all the local Exmoor paths and bridleways. The countryside remains almost the same as it was in Blackmore’s time. Maybe Mr Stephen Spielberg should do a remake??
If you know of more Lorna Doone stories do let me know.

Is it just me or is there something even more refreshing about the Exmoor scenery at the moment? After the somewhat hectic Christmas shopping, neon lights and gaudy decorations, the panoramic views of greens and browns, and the hills, hedges, fields and trees stretching to the sky are just calming. I could feel my eyes saying thank you.

My legs weren’t quite as grateful as we walked miles this weekend. We spied lots of Exmoor ponies grazing near Countisbury, but we were a little too late to see any red deer on this occasion. The Rangers say that there are plenty around however, including a few fine stags. Apparently early morning is a good time to spot red deer at this time of year.  Alarm clock set for early next time!

We enjoyed the walk though, and especially the cosy lunch in the pub afterwards. We overheard someone say that after the warm November, the tips of the snowdrops are already showing through in Snowdrop Valley. But a sharp frost or two will slow them down a bit. If you haven’t booked already make sure you don’t miss Exmoor’s famous Snowdrop Valley at Wheddon Cross 4 – 26 Feb 2012, it’s a really spectacular sight, and a sign that spring is on its way.

Exmoor National Park is recognised as one of the finest landscapes in the UK. Its deep valleys, high cliffs, wide open moorlands and clear streams provide inspiration and enjoyment to many. What is less well known is that Exmoor is also an amazing place to marvel at the wonders of the night sky and one of the few places in England where low levels of light pollution allows people to experience night skies that have sadly disappeared from much of the country. Now Exmoor has been recognised by the International Dark-sky Association as the first International Dark Sky Reserve in Europe, and only the second in the world.