Exmoor
Exmoor is England’s smallest National Park, straddling West Somerset and North Devon, with such extraordinary diversity within its tiny area. It boasts towering sea cliffs, high moors, tumbling streams and rivers, and deep valleys. On Exmoor there is always tranquility and peace as well as adventure to be found, tucked out of sight of any crowds; a rare thing in Southern Britain.
As far as walking and swimming are concerned, there is a wealth of beaches, sea pools and moorland rivers all accessed from rights of way across the varied terrains of coast and moor. It is always possible to find an unspoilt dipping spot in one of the high sided river valleys, just by stepping off the main trails, or by being prepared to walk down a steep path to a secret beach.
There are places in Britain equally stunning and spectacular as Exmoor, but I challenge anyone to find anywhere that really surpasses it.
Exmoor is easy to miss when heading South West towards South Devon or Cornwall, but it is actually nearer for travellers from central England or Wales.
I guarantee that if you have made the effort to reach Exmoor you will be delighted and surprised by what you find.
Exmoor has another side to it’s nature, being the first designated International Dark Sky Reserve in the UK, meaning it is land possessing an exceptional quality of starry nights and nocturnal environment. So once the sun drops there is still so much to see and enjoy, with often a clear view of the Milky Way and many of the nearby planets plain to the naked eye. I offer Swim-Walks followed by star-gazing suppers in carefully chosen dark areas during the month of October, as part of the Exmoor Dark Skies Festival.
