For visitors in search of peace, beauty and tranquillity, Exmoor is the perfect place to escape from the pressures of 21st century life. Although one or our smaller national parks, it remains largely untouched by tourism and the national park authority works very hard to keep it that way. While welcoming tourist, they make sure that their impact on this very special environment is minimal. The landscape of Exmoor is varied, from the gentle hills and wooded valleys to the high heather moors, and the dramatic coastal scenery with the highest sea-cliffs in England. You will always find a quiet spot for a picnic, and you may walk for miles without seeing anyone else! A holiday in North Devon and Exmoor can be anything you want it to be – action filled, or a peaceful escape!
Whether you enjoy an active holiday or a leisurely break, you will find plenty of things to delight and fascinate in the part of Devon. Exmoor and North Devon provide a wealth of opportunities for outdoor pursuits. Walking, riding, mountain biking, fishing, surfing and body boarding are just some of the more popular activities, or you may want to try something a little different, such as quad biking riding, off-road driving, mountain boarding, or coasteering! For more information on adventure activities in the area, visit www.itsadventuresouthwest.co.uk.
Exmoor is a paradise for wildlife watchers; its rich diversity of habitats providing for a wide range of flora and fauna, including badgers, bats, red deer, and the famous Exmoor ponies. Many of the walks organised by the National Park rangers have a wildlife or historical theme. To find out more about guided walks and other activities organised by Exmoor National Park, visit www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk.
The National Trust has several properties in this area, Dunster Castle being the most famous. Arlington Court near Combe Martin and Knightshayes Court, south of Dulverton are two fascinating houses with lovely gardens. In the hills above Lynmouth there is Watersmeet, where two rivers meet in steep wooded valleys, with delightful woodland and gorge walks. Also worthy seeing in Lynmouth is the Glen Lyn Gorge, where you can learn about renewable energy from the power of water in a spectacular natural environment. The cliff Railway is a unique Victorian water powered lift linking Lynton and Lynmouth and is a fascinating tourist attraction still in use today. A useful website is www.lyntonandlynmouthscene.co.uk, which is specially created for visitors to Lynton and Lynmouth and the surrounding area.
Why not take the opportunity to see the dramatic coastal scenery from the sea? You can book a trip on a boat from many of the harbours, including Lynmouth, Ilfracombe, Come Martin and Bideford. Lundy Island lies 10 miles off the North Decon coast, where the Atlantic meets the Bristol Channel. This remote island is a haven for wildlife, and is surrounded by Britain's only Statutory Marine Reserve. Lundy's own ship, the MS Oldenburg, provides day cruises to the island from Ilfracombe and Bideford between March and the end of October. For more information about Lundy Island go to www.lundyisland.co.uk
At the Turret guesthouse, we will do our best to help you make the most of your precious holiday. We can provide information about the area and suggest places to visit. Some good websites to visit before your stay are www.whatsonexmoor.co.uk, and www.visit-exmoor.info, both providing a wealth of information for visitors to the Exmoor National Park.