Autumn on Exmoor
As the season changes, Exmoor puts on a spectacular show! In the Autumn, the moor becomes a riot of colour, with the heather a carpet of purple and the gorse blooming bright yellow. We think it is a great time of year to visit Exmoor, here are some fantastic reasons to come and visit us this Autumn...
Explore Exmoor's Dark Skies
Exmoor National Park is an International Dark Sky Reserve and home to some of the darkest skies in the country! On a clear night, the night sky of Exmoor is absolutely stunning; with many amazing astronomical sights seen with the naked eye and even more to be discovered through binoculars or a telescope. See our Top Tips for stargazing on Exmoor!
Exmoor is a fantastic place to enjoy a stargazing break. Our Dark Sky Friendly accredited activity and accommodation providers can help you with the best spots to explore Exmoor's skies, what to look out for, and how to most enjoy the magnificent starscape!
Experience the Autumn Wildlife
Buckle up and uncover hidden corners of Exmoor from inside a Land Rover 4x4, as you roll through steep, wooded valleys, past crystal-clear rivers and across dramatic windswept moorland and spot Exmoor ponies and Red Deer. These family-friendly tours are led by local guides, who’ll let you in on some insider knowledge of the area’s history and folklore.
Prefer your guided tour on foot? There are plenty of opportunities to discover Exmoor's wildlife and more, including guided walking tours where you'll learn about the story of Lorna Doone, or Samuel Taylor Coleridge, or Culbone Church (said to be the smallest parish church in England), or what to forage at this time of year.
Take a look at our full list of Tours and Safaris and our Active pages.
Visit Exmoors' Historic Attractions
The famous Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway opened in 1890 and is the highest and the steepest totally water powered railway in the world! The funicular Cliff Railway connects the twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth providing stunning coastal views. This working heritage railway is grade II listed, the UK's only fully water powered railway and one of just three examples left in the World!
Take a look at our full list of local Attractions - please ensure you check for Autumn opening hours and some you may need to book in advance.
Enjoy Beautiful Autumn Colours
Many of Exmoor's trees save their best show for Autumn, displaying a vibrant palette of browns, oranges and golds. Walk up the East Lyn River to Watersmeet or climb to the top of the glorious Dunkery Beacon and you'll feel an overwhelming sense of wellbeing - in a Forestry Commission England survey, 96% of people said that beautiful Autumn colours had the power to lift their mood. Take a look at our Instagram page for some Autumn inspiration! @visit_exmoor
Walk The Breathtaking Exmoor Landscape
Exmoor is a walkers’ paradise, with its varied landscape of wooded valleys, dramatic coastline, vast moorland and farmland. Come and explore the many fabulous routes, trails and paths across our stunning landscape. There are a number of major trails that run and connect through the area including: the South West Coast Path, The Coleridge Way, the Tarka Trail and the Two Moors Way. There are many hidden gems within Exmoor, why not take a trip to the heart of Exmoor where you can experience gentle, and not so gentle walks, from Simonsbath, Winsford, Withypool and Exford.
Relax and refuel...
After all these adventures, you'll be in need of a hearty meal and time to relax. We have many fabulous eateries where you can enjoy wonderful food and drink, prepared using quality, local, Exmoor ingredients, and that includes the beer... and the gin! Take a look at our Eating Out pages - please book ahead where possible and take note of Autumn opening hours.
Rest up...
Take a look at our Accommodation pages for lots of fantastic places to stay. Choose from B&B's, self-catering cottages and lodges, hotels, glamping, caravan and campsites. All offering a warm welcome whatever the weather!
Visit Exmoor Safely this Autumn
We want visitors to have the best possible experience here on Exmoor and enjoy discovering this beautiful area. We cannot emphasis enough the importance of checking restrictions and making your plans in advance. Accommodation, eateries, activies and attractions are all adapting and its essential to check and book ahead to avoid dissapointment. Please ensure you follow The Exmoor Covid Countryside Code and respect all social distancing measures in our towns and villages and when out enjoying Exmoor.
To help you whilst you're here on Exmoor
We recommend popping into see our Exmoor National Park Visitor Centres and local Visitor Information Centres for the most up to date information on all local activites and attractions (please be aware off-peak opening hours may apply):
Exmoor National Park Visitor Centre Dunster I Dulverton I Lynmouth
Minehead I Porlock I Combe Martin I Watchet I South Molton
Be inspired by these short Autumn reads
With thanks to Exmoor Magazine, here are some fabulous Autumn inspired articles to get you into the mood for Autumn on Exmoor! Click on the images for the PDF articles.
Autumn of the Uplands by Jane A. Mares
Julian Gurney's Nature Diary - Autumn Favourites
Walking - Horner Wood and The Dunster Path by Sue Viccars
