Tarr Steps
Tarr Steps is a medieval clapper bridge over the River Barle. It spans the fifty-five foot river in seventeen spans of flat stone. The largest stone is eight and a half feet long and five feet wide. The source of the stones is unknown but they may have been brought to the area in the Ice age. There is no cement or binding material used in the bridge construction - just the weight of the stones.
Close by are burial mounds of Bronze age men from 5,000 years ago. The bridge was severely damaged when the river froze in 1942-3 and again by the floods in 1952-3 but has been repaired with the assistance of the Royal Engineers.
Tarr Steps is near Hawkridge and can be reached from the village of Winsford, a short distance from the B3223. Parking, except for the disabled, is at the top of the hill. There is a tea shop and an open picnic area close to the river crossing.
Exmoor Museum
4 St Vincents Cottage, Market Street, Lynton EX35 6AF
Tel: 01598 752205
Displays include: tools and agricultural implements, archeological and geological collections of paintings, prints and photographs and models of the Lynton to Barnstaple Railway and an Exmoor kitchen.
Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway
The Esplanade, Lynmouth, EX25 6EQ
Tel: 01598 753486
Experience Victorian travel - ride the unique water powered carriage (a cross between a railway and a lift) from Lynmouth to Lynton, enjoying the spectacular views on the way, and then take a leisurely stroll back down through the woods. An experience to remember. Open seven days a week, all year round.
Doone Valley
One of the most well known spots on Exmoor must be The Doone Valley, made famous by Blackmore"s Lorna Doone, though what is usually termed the Doone Valley is actually the Badgworthy Valley. Those who know their Blackmore can spend half a day to a day endeavoring to locate scenes from the book.
The Badgworthy Valley lies about midway between Lynmouth and Porlock, and can be reach by turning down from the elevated coast to Oare, or Oare may be reached by the valley road passing Watersmeet and Brendon. Together the two routes provide a delighted circular run. Both sides of the river are now open to the public, and cars can get to Cloud Farm Tea Garden, about a mile from Malmsmead. Oare Manor near the church was long the residence of Nicholas Snow, whose family held property in the district for a thousand years.
Dunkery Beacon
Dunkery Beacon is the highest point on Exmoor rising to 1,706 feet. It was formerly the site of a fire beacon, an early warning system. The area is owned by the National Trust and was formerly part of the Holnicote estate belonging to the Acland family. Views from the top are in all directions with some of the best across the Bristol Channel to Wales and Avonmouth.
Red Deer can be seen at times, together with grouse, hawks and falcons.
Horsedrawn Tours
West Ilkerton Farm, Barbrook, Lynton EX35 6QA.
Tel: 01598 752310.
Travel over open moorland in a purpose-built wagon, pulled by Shire horses. Ideal for all the family. Booking essential. Open: Daily, May to November. Please telephone for details of opening times.
Watersmeet
Watersmeet House, Watersmeet Road, Lynmouth EX35 6NT
Picturesque Fishing Lodge run by the National Trust at the confluence of the East Lyn River and Hoar Oak Water.
Watersmeet is a beautiful area to relax and enjoy the very best of Exmoor. It is the focal point of many popular walks either to the beach at Lynmouth or up river to Brendon.
Valley of Rocks
The remarkable Valley of the Rocks is 1.6km from Lynton. This spectacular "dry valley" is unlike another combe on the north coast. The valley which was probably created during the Ice Age has spectacular weathered rock formations with names such as " The Devil"s Cheesering", Castle Rocks" and "Ragged Jack".
The picturesque rocks in the valley have there own population of wild goats, who can be seen scrambling amongst the rocky outcrops .
There are several enchanting bays that lead westward from the Valley of Rocks offering peaceful and secluded sandy retreats for walkers traveling the coastal paths.
