EXPERIENCE THE PICTURESQUE DELIGHTS OF EASTERN EXMOOR

Route Start

Doverhay Car Park, Porlock
TA24 8QR

Experience the delightful chocolate box villages and picturesque landscape of Eastern Exmoor. Continue on through the intriguing Horner Wood, past Dunkery Beacon through timeless villages of thatched cottages, down leafy lanes to ageless market towns and Dunster Castle.

Start your journey in Porlock in the Main Car Park.

  1. From Porlock head to Allerford, a charming village on the edge of the National Trust Holnicote Estate. This village, along with its neighbouring Bossington, is simply gorgeous and perfect for a stroll to admire their timeless wonder.
  2. After leaving Allerford head to Horner, another pretty chocolate box village. There are two delightful tea rooms in Horner, close to the River Horner, they’re well worth checking out. There are public toilets in the main Horner car park.
  3. From Horner drive past Webbers Post past Dunkery Beacon, the highest point on Exmoor. This is a lovely spot for a great walk to the beacon with staggering views.
  4. Leave Dunkery and drive on B3224 to Wheddon Cross then turn right on the A396 to Winsford. Take either Upcott Lane or Edbrooke Road to Winsford.
  5. Winsford is a beautiful village complete with bubbling stream and thatched cottages. The village is also home to the 12th Century Royal Oak Inn and charming Bridge Cottage Tea Rooms.
  6. Leave Winsford on Ash Lane or Halse Lane to join the B3223, towards Withypool & Dulverton. Withypool is a beautiful village with a quirky tea room in a vintage fuel station, it’s a delightful diversion. From Winsford (or Withypool) continue on the B3223 until you see signs for the Tarr Steps / Liscombe. Turn here.
  7. The Tarr Steps is actually a stone and boulder clapper bridge spanning the River Barle. It is said to date back over 1000 years. It’s a quintessential experience when visiting Exmoor. There are plenty long walks and short strolls around this picturesque valley, followed by refreshments at the Tarr Farm Inn.
  8. After the Tarr Steps, head back to the B3223 to Dulverton, a vibrant market town brimming with character. There are plenty of shops, cafés and tea rooms here. Check out the Heritage Centre for a deeper look at Dulverton’s fascinating history.
  1. Leave Dulverton on Jury Road / Jury Hill and turn left onto the A396 towards Brompton Regis. Turn left on to Hownel Lane to Brompton Regis itself, then along Haddon View turning left on Bryants Hill. Check out eclectic and intriguing Pulham Mill Craft & Gift Shop following by refreshments in their Riverside Tea Room and garden.
    A diversion to Wimbleball Lake, just 5-mins away, would be very rewarding.
  2. From Pulham Mill, you will head towards Wheddon Cross, and you can do this a couple of ways. The first, take the main left turn onto Blagdon Lane before you reach Bessom Bridge, over Wimbleball Lake. The second, drive over Bessom Bridge to Raleighs Cross, then take a left off the B3224 to Wheddon Cross, then to Dunster.
  3. There are a few ways to Dunster from this point, and any will be pretty drives. The most direct would be straight to Wheddon Cross the A396 to Dunster. An alternative route could be via Luxborough, which is a narrower winding road.
  4. Drive to Dunster through Timberscombe, known for its Iron Age Fort, Clicket – a lost village and Cowbridge Sawmill, restored and fully working sawmill.
  5. Dunster is one of the most complete medieval villages in England, famed for the beautiful Dunster Castle and iconic Yarn Market. Dunster has a wonderful array of shops and cafes to meander through.
  6. Leave Dunster towards the A39 and continue on this road following signs for Minehead, and later Porlock – which will conclude this drive.
  7. Just off the A39 is Minehead, a great little seaside town brimming with independent shops, galleries and traditional seaside souvenir gift shops, alongside the familiar banks, chemists and other well-known retailers. Minehead is also home of the incredible steam trains at West Somerset Railway.
  8. From Minehead, next stop Selworthy – a National Trust gem. Selworthy is a beautiful and ageless village of thatched cottages and a very distinct medieval church. Its great place for walking and exploring, and also enjoying refreshments at Periwinkle Cottage and Tea Garden. If you didn’t explore Allerford and Bossington earlier, then Selworthy’s neighbouring villages are also worth exploring too. Each with delicious tea rooms – because one can never have enough tea and cake.

    Fancy something a little different? Try Exmoor’s Owl & Wildlife Sanctuary and meet their resident owls and hawks.

  9. Back on the road to Porlock where you can conclude your journey around Eastern Exmoor.