Exmoor and West Somerset

Towns & Villages

AISHOLT

Anglers at Hawkridge Reservoir - Photo: Barbara Cook CCL

Popular with ramblers and riders, like so many places in this region, Aisholt is a small village nestling in a valley of the Quantock Hills. It is overlooked by the highest point in the Quantocks, Will’s Neck, at 1260ft. The poet Sir Henry Newbolt (1862-1938) lived here and another famous poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, greatly admired the locale. Just beyond the village are Hawkridge Reservoir and Aisholt Common.

CULBONE

This hamlet, overshadowed by mountainous hills, is a picturesque curiosity for two reasons. It is not accessible by car. And it possesses England’s smallest church still in regular use. To reach it requires a two-mile, uphill hike from Porlock Weir. The ancient, spired church has Saxon windows and accommodates less than 40 sitters.

Culbone Church - Photo: Richard Mascall CCL

DULVERTON

Dulverton Wier - Photo: Barry Deakin CCL

The gateway to Exmoor and one of its most atmospheric market towns, Dulverton lies on the banks of the rivers Barle and Exe. The Exmoor National Park Authority’s headquarters is here, as is the Dulverton National Park Visitor Centre. Nearby are moorland vistas found in R D Blackmore’s famous novel ‘Lorna Doone’ and a statue of the eponymous heroine.

Some five miles away is the 17-span medieval stone clapper bridge of Tarr Steps. Also not far away is the mysterious Caractacus Stone, possibly a memorial to the British king who fought the Romans.

Tarr Steps - Photo: Richard Mascall CCL

DUNSTER

Dunster Castle - Photo: Pam Brophy CCL

A place not to be missed by visitors to West Somerset, Dunster has its own picturesque Norman castle as well as a 17th century yarn market. The castle was owned by the Luttrell family for more than 600 years and has a 15th century gatehouse. Nearby is the largest parish church in the region, dating from the 15th century, and an 18th century watermill.

EXFORD

This village with its stone river bridge has long been a popular centre for sporting types whose numbers include fisher folk, horse-lovers and deerstalkers. Close by is the sky-reaching Dunkery Beacon. At 1,705 feet it is Exmoor’s highest point and offers unrivalled views for hardy travellers.

Exford Village Green - Photo: Richard Mascall CCL

HOLFORD

Waterwheel at Combe House Hotel - Photo: Martin Bodman CCL

Nestling among the Quantock Hills, this quiet village made quite an impression on the poets Samuel Taylor Coleridge and his fellow rhymer William Wordsworth. The latter rented Alfoxton House with his sister Dorothy in 1797 and wandered on the lonely hills nearby with Coleridge in tow. Their joint work ‘Lyrical Ballads’ went into print in 1798 and was partly inspired by their romantic surroundings.

LUCCOMBE

Standing on part of the National Trust’s 12,500-acre Holnicote Estate in Exmoor National Park, Luccombe is a delightful village with numerous thatched cottages and a 13^th century church lying in the shadow of the majestic Dunkery Beacon. Nearby is the important nature reserve of Horner Wood. The Holnicote Estate includes homes and farms in and around local villages. It also covers the coast between Porlock Bay and Minehead.

Luccombe - Photo: Martin Bodman CCL

MINEHEAD

Minehead Harbour at low tide - Photo: Pam Brophy CCL

Today Minehead has its own Butlins holiday camp and a restored, 17^th century harbour filled with pleasure boats. Beyond the town is breathtaking scenery, numerous small villages and a smattering of prehistoric burial mounds. One of Minehead’s delights is an annual parade of hobbyhorses – an important tradition in these parts. The South West Coastpath starts on the seafront.
 

View over Minehead - Photo: Pam Brophy CCL

NETHER STOWEY

The Romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge lived here among the beautiful Quantock Hills for two years in the late 18^th century and his old cottage is now one of the treasures of the National Trust. He wrote his famous ‘Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ and ‘Kubla Khan’ here. He also penned ‘Lyrical Ballads’ with his fellow poet Wordsworth who lived briefly at nearby Holford. The prehistoric earthwork Danesborough Camp sits in an oval above the village.

Toll House at Nether Stowey - Photo: Pam Brophy CCL

OARE

Oare Church - Photo: Marion Dutcher CCL

This ancient village in the wooded valley of Oare Water holds a treat for lovers of R D Blackmore’s famous novel ‘Lorna Doone’; it was here in Oare’s 15^th century church that Carver Doone shot poor Lorna as she prepared to marry her sweetheart. Robert’s Bridge also appears in the novel, as do the Snow family, who lived here. There’s even a monument to Mr Blackmore who helped to put this part of the world on the map. Blackmore’s father was vicar of Oare for almost 40 years.

PORLOCK

This engaging town was once the seat of the West Saxon kings. It was attacked by Danish pirates in the 10^th century and in 1052 was burned by Harold, son of Earl Godwin. Today it is a restless market place at the foot of a steep hill with a small, boat-bobbing harbour. Nearby, the village of Horner boasts a Victorian water mill.

Porlock Bay, taken from Porlock Wier - Photo: Catherine Edwards CCL

SELWORTHY

A typical Selworthy Cottage - Photo: Gordon Hatton CCL

Lying in the shadow of a sky-rise hill, Selworthy has the feel of an expensive antique with its own village green and a huddle of thatched cottages. It also boasts a National Trust centre and a barrel-roofed old church.

SIMONSBATH

This is the highest of all Exmoor’s attractive villages and has a sky-wide moorland setting. When the Crown sold off the last real bit of Exmoor forest around this area in the 19^th century it was bought by a wealthy Midlands industrialist, John Knight, who introduced modern methods of farming to the region. Standing on the banks of the River Barle, Simonsbath lies close to The Chains, the second highest point on Exmoor at 1599ft, and the prehistoric Chapman Barrows. Exmoor ponies and elegant red deer grace the moorland wilderness.

Barle Valley - Photo: Martin Bodman CCL

STOKE PERO

Stoke Pero Church and Farm - Photo: Martin Bodman CCL

This is one of many small Somerset villages that offer added value. It boasts Exmoor’s highest church, the prehistoric burial site of Kit Barrows and the potential to roam the hillsides of 1700ft Dunkery Beacon in search of sweeping views.

WATCHET

With a regenerated marina packed with rowing boats and sails, Watchet has long served as a port serving both Exmoor and the Quantock Hills. It was so important in the past that the Vikings used to mount inland raids. After visiting in 1797 the Romantic poet Coleridge used it as an embarkation point for his famous ‘Ancient Mariner’. A quayside statue acts as a 21^st century reminder of his tragic tale.

West Somerset Railway - Martin Bodman CCL

Cleeve Abbey - Photo: Patrick Mackie CCL

With atmospheric cliffs and a welcoming beach, Watchet makes a splendid resort by-the-sea and has the added attractions of the nearby 12^th century Cleeve Abbey and the 13^th century parish church of St Decuman where, so legend has it, King Arthur plied his troth.

WELLINGTON

Another famous citizen of Wellington was Sir John Popham. As Lord Chief Justice of England he was involved in the trials of Mary Queen of Scots, Guy Fawkes and Sir Walter Raleigh. He is remembered by a monument in the local parish church.

Wellington Monument - Photo: Noel Jenkins CCL

WHEDDON CROSS & CUTCOMBE

View from Dunkery Beacon with Wales in the Background - Photo: Sheila Russell CCL

Just a stone’s throw from the seaside resort of Minehead, this is one of Exmoor’s highest coastal villages. It boasts a 12th century church and is close to both Dunkery Beacon at 1700ft and the picturesque Snowdrop Valley.

WILLITON

An Aladdin’s Cave for rail enthusiasts, the busy village of Williton offers a nostalgic journey back in time. At the heart of this steamy romance is an old railway station and a goods shed with a collection of old diesel locos. Orchard Mill houses a Bakelite Museum and has a working water wheel.

Train from Bishops Lydeard heading into Williton - Photo: Martin Bodman CCL

WINSFORD

The Royal Oak Inn, Winsford - Photo: Neil Kennedy CCL

One of Somerset’s most attractive moorland villages, Winsford lies on the banks of the River Exe and was the birthplace of Labour stalwart Ernest Bevin. Its church sits proudly on a hilltop while nearby is Tarr Steps, a restored, medieval stone bridge spanning the River Barle. A brisk walks leads to the Caractacus Stone; although no-one knows its true origin, it may be linked to the British tribal leader who fought in vain against the might of the Romans.