Skip to content
Voykit
Set your trip — dates, party, bagsPlanner

Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

National park · United Kingdom

Exmoor National Park

Entry is free: park in a pay-and-display car park (£3–8 a day, 2026 estimate) and walk. Do Dunkery Beacon or the Valley of Rocks on a clear morning; skip the moor in August school holidays and after heavy rain, when paths turn to bog.

Not field-verifiedSome areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026
Map to the park
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Directions
From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

693 km²

approximate

Established

1954

Best months

May–Jun, Sep

UNESCO

None

Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
  • United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
  • United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
  • United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.

At a glance

Country
United Kingdom
Area
693 km²
About 267 square miles of moorland, farmland, woodland and coast across Devon and Somerset.
Established
1954
Best months
May–Jun, Sep
Permits
For some areas

Exmoor is one of England's oldest national parks: 693 km² of open heath, wooded valleys and 55 km of coast on the Bristol Channel, split between north Devon and west Somerset. There is no gate and no entry fee — you pay for parking, and the walking is the point. Dunkery Beacon (519 m) is the high point; the Valley of Rocks and the South West Coast Path give the cliff drama; Tarr Steps and Watersmeet are the short, easy outings. Ponies, red deer and Exmoor Horn sheep graze the commons, so dogs and gates need attention.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

  • No UNESCO listing; national park since 1954.

Size and age

693 km² · national park since 1954

About 267 square miles of moorland, farmland, woodland and coast across Devon and Somerset.

Why go

  • Free to enter: the only fixed cost is parking, and a day on the moor can cost under £10.
  • Dunkery Beacon is the highest ground in Somerset and a short, signed climb from a roadside car park.
  • The Valley of Rocks and the South West Coast Path pack cliff walking into a half day from Lynton.
  • Exmoor ponies, red deer and Exmoor Horn sheep are seen on the open commons, often from the car.

When to go

12-month verdict
  1. JanAvoid
  2. FebAvoid
  3. MarCaution
  4. AprGo
  5. MayBest
  6. JunBest
  7. JulGo
  8. AugCaution
  9. SepBest
  10. OctGo
  11. NovCaution
  12. DecAvoid
  • JanWet, exposed; short daylight
  • FebMud and bog on the high moor
  • MarDrying out; cold wind
  • AprLambing; gates and dogs matter
  • MayHeather starting; long evenings
  • JunLongest days; quiet midweek
  • JulWarm but busy at coast spots
  • AugSchool holidays; car parks full by 10:00
  • SepHeather in flower; fewer people
  • OctRed deer rut; rutting stags need space
  • NovWet ground; some sites close
  • DecShort days; ice on high lanes

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year
Wildlife and nature calendar for Exmoor National Park
WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Exmoor poniesAll year · Free-roaming on the commons; do not approach, feed or block them with a car.yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Red deerSep–Nov · Rut in autumn; stags are unpredictable, keep well back.nonononononononoyesyesyesno
Heather in flowerAug–Sep · The purple moorland peak; also the busiest weeks.nononononononoyesyesnonono
Birds (merlin, buzzard, curlew, ring ouzel)Apr–Jun · Ground-nesting season: keep dogs on leads and stay on paths.nononoyesyesyesnononononono
Exmoor Horn and other sheepAll year · Grazing everywhere; shut every gate behind you.yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

How to get there

From Taunton

Bus 25B to Dulverton, or the 28 to Minehead, then local services and walking; a car is far more practical inside the park.

1–1.5 h

Open the page →

From Barnstaple

Bus to Lynton and Lynmouth, then walk or taxi to the Valley of Rocks and Watersmeet.

1–1.5 h

From Tiverton Parkway (rail)

Train from London Paddington or Birmingham, then bus or hire car towards Dulverton and Minehead.

2–3 h from London

Open the page →

From Minehead

A39 west along the coast through Porlock to Lynmouth; the classic Exmoor drive.

1 h

Zones and sectors

Zones of Exmoor National Park
ZoneWhat is thereAccess
High moor (Dunkery and Exford)Open heather and grass, the highest ground, ponies and red deer.Open access on foot; keep to paths where signed and shut gates.
Brendon Hills and Doone ValleyWooded valleys, the Badgworthy Water and the Lorna Doone country around Oare and Brendon.Public footpaths and bridleways; some parking charges.
North coast (Lynton, Lynmouth, Valley of Rocks)Cliffs, the South West Coast Path and the highest sea cliffs in England.Open; steep drops, keep back from the edge.
Barle valley and Tarr StepsRiver woodland and the clapper bridge near Dulverton.Short walks from a paid car park; the bridge is a scheduled monument.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation
Sketch map of 10 approximate points in Exmoor National Park, north up12345678910
Approximate positions of the main car parks, villages and viewpoints, for orientation only.
  1. 1Dunkery Beacon · Summit≈51.162, -3.586519 m; highest point in Somerset.Map ↗
  2. 2Webber's Post car park · Gate≈51.158, -3.605Start for the Dunkery climb.Map ↗
  3. 3Valley of Rocks · Viewpoint≈51.233, -3.853Map ↗
  4. 4Watersmeet · Trail≈51.223, -3.800Map ↗
  5. 5Tarr Steps · Trail≈51.077, -3.618Map ↗
  6. 6Doone Valley (Malmsmead) · Village≈51.186, -3.728Map ↗
  7. 7Lynton and Lynmouth · Town≈51.229, -3.836Map ↗
  8. 8Exford · Village≈51.133, -3.652Map ↗
  9. 9Dulverton · Town≈51.040, -3.550Map ↗
  10. 10Minehead · Town≈51.206, -3.474Map ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

ViewpointsModerate1.5–2 hDunkery Beacon from Webber's PostAbout 4 km up and back on a clear track; 519 m at the top, wide views to the Bristol Channel and Wales.
TrailsEasy2–3 hValley of Rocks and the coast path from LyntonClifftop road and path with wild goats; the full loop back over Hollerday Hill adds an hour.
TrailsModerate2–3 hWatersmeet and the East LynWooded river walk from Lynmouth or the Watersmeet car park; steep in places, tea room at the house.
TrailsEasy1–2 hTarr Steps and the Barle valleyFlat riverside loop from the car park to the clapper bridge; muddy after rain.
TrailsModerate3–4 hDoone Valley and Badgworthy WaterWalk from Malmsmead up the valley; stream crossings after heavy rain.
WildlifeEasyHalf dayExmoor ponies and red deer on the commonsBest in the early morning on quiet lanes and moorland edges; view from a distance and never feed.

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

GBP ranges · check
Fees for Exmoor National Park
ItemRangePerNote
Park entryFreepersonNo gate and no ticket; the park is free to enter.
Pay-and-display car park (moor and coast sites)GBP 3–8day2026 estimate; some National Trust sites are free to members.
National Trust car park, Watersmeet or Heddon ValleyGBP 0–8dayFree to National Trust members; otherwise pay by app or machine (check).
Tarr Steps woodland car parkGBP 3–5day2026 estimate; small site, fills early in summer.

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Park entry no permit

None. Drive in and park; no ticket or permit is issued.

Parking permit or guide

Pay at the machine or by app at signed car parks; keep the ticket visible.

Dunkery Beacon access no permit

Free roadside parking at Webber's Post and Dunkery Gate, then walk; no permit.

Group or event use of the moor permit or guide

Large organised events and commercial filming need permission from the park authority (check).

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more
Dogs
On leads on the open moor from March to July for ground-nesting birds, and around livestock at any time.
Gates
Shut gates behind you; most moorland is common grazing for ponies, cattle and sheep.
Wild camping
Not allowed without the landowner's permission; use campsites and holiday parks instead.
Fires and BBQs
No open fires or disposable BBQs on the moor; they damage peat and heather.
Drones
Not over the moor or coast without permission from the park authority (check).check
Litter and dog waste
Take everything home; bins are rare outside villages.

Where to stay

Near the park

Lynton and Lynmouth

Hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses on the coast, walking distance from the Valley of Rocks.

Near the park

Dulverton and Exford

Village inns and B&Bs in the middle of the park; good for Dunkery and Tarr Steps.

Near the park

Minehead and Porlock

Larger choice of rooms and self-catering on the east side.

In the park

Cloud Farm campsite, Oare

National Trust campsite in the Badgworthy Water valley; book ahead in summer.

Safety

Bog and wet ground on the high moor medium

Wear boots with grip, avoid obvious dark wet patches, and turn back rather than detour across untracked heather.

Cliff edges and steep drops on the coast path medium

Keep back from the edge, especially in wind; the path is eroded in places and rerouted.

Weather changing fast on high ground medium

Carry a waterproof and a paper map; phone signal is patchy in the combes.

Narrow lanes and livestock on the road medium

Drive slowly on single-track lanes, use passing places, and expect ponies and sheep around blind bends.

Ticks and adders low

Cover legs in tall bracken, check for ticks after walking, and give adders space if you see one.

Accessibility

  • Minehead, Dulverton and Lynton have level seafront or village paths suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
  • Dunkery Beacon, Watersmeet and the coast path are steep and rough; not suitable for limited mobility.
  • Mobility-friendly trampers and all-terrain wheelchairs can be hired at some sites by arrangement (check).

Visiting lightly

  • Park only in signed car parks; verge parking damages moorland and blocks farm access.
  • Keep dogs on leads in spring and never let them chase ponies, sheep or deer.
  • Buy from village shops, pubs and farm shops so the money stays in the park.
  • Use the bus or the South West Coast Path for point-to-point days instead of driving two cars.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Exmoor National Park?

Nothing. There is no gate, ticket or entry fee. You pay for parking where it is charged — roughly £3–8 a day at signed car parks (2026 estimate) — and for anything you book, such as a guided walk or a National Trust property.

What are the best hikes in Exmoor National Park?

For a short climb, Dunkery Beacon from Webber's Post (1.5–2 h). For coast, the Valley of Rocks and the South West Coast Path from Lynton (2–3 h). For woodland and water, Watersmeet and the East Lyn (2–3 h) or the flat Tarr Steps riverside loop (1–2 h).

When is the best time to visit Exmoor National Park?

May, June and September: long days, heather in flower in late summer, and quieter car parks. Avoid the August school holidays if you can, and expect boggy ground from November to March.

Do I need a car to visit Exmoor?

It helps a lot. Buses reach Minehead, Dulverton, Lynton and Lynmouth, but most trailheads and viewpoints have no useful service. Without a car, base yourself in one of those towns and walk from the door.

Can I see the Exmoor ponies?

Yes, they roam freely on the commons and are often visible from the road. Keep your distance, do not feed them, and never let a dog chase them.

Can I wild camp in Exmoor National Park?

No, not without the landowner's permission. Use the campsites and holiday parks in and around the park, and book ahead for summer weekends.

Related

Travel to the United Kingdom National park passes

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

Sources