green grass field under blue sky during daytime

Exmoor National Park

A national park of heather moor and high sea cliffs on the Somerset and Devon border, with a night sky protected as an International Dark Sky Reserve.

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Exmoor is a national park in southwest England, straddling the border between Somerset and Devon. Heather moorland, wooded river valleys and high sea cliffs run down to the Bristol Channel along the north coast. Red deer live on the open ground, and the small Exmoor pony is native to the park. The park is also a designated International Dark Sky Reserve, so the night sky is dark enough for stargazing.

Lynton and Lynmouth, two villages set on the cliffs, are a base for the north coast, and the South West Coast Path runs along the shore. The moor rises inland from both villages and is more open, with high ground and few settlements. Walking and stargazing are the main reasons to go. Winter brings the longest nights for stargazing.

Exmoor National Park in five

Ride the cliff railway between Lynton and LynmouthA water-powered cliff railway links the two villages. Check running seasons and hours on the operator's site before you plan the day.
Plan a stargazing nightExmoor has an International Dark Sky Reserve, and the park's site lists astronomy advice and a Dark Sky Discovery Trail. Check the moon phase and cloud cover, and bring a red torch.Exmoor stargazing pages
Do not assume you can wild campCheck the Exmoor National Park site and the landowner's rules before you pitch, and use a campsite if in doubt. Fires and drones have their own rules on the park's site.
Choose coast or moor for each dayThe coast path has sea cliffs, harbor villages and steep drives; the high moor has open walking, ponies and red deer. Mixing both in one day means long drives on narrow roads.Devon
Expect a car, or plan buses carefullyThere is no mainline station on the moor. Nearest stations include Taunton, Tiverton Parkway and Barnstaple, then bus or car; services thin out in the evenings and on Sundays.

Things to do in Exmoor National Park

See all attractions in Exmoor National Park

Historic site · Exmoor National ParkCleeve Abbey

Museum · Exmoor National ParkLyn and Exmoor Museum

a river running under a stone bridge next to a town

Museum · Exmoor National ParkLynmouth Flood Memorial Hall

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Exmoor National ParkPut the places you like in Exmoor National Park on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Entrance: No gate or fee for the open moor and coast
Permits: None for walking; check rules before camping
Season: Open all year; best light in spring and autumn
Nearest town: Minehead, Lynton, Porlock or Dulverton
Getting there: Train to Taunton, Tiverton Parkway or Barnstaple, then bus or car

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain17 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low3°Cold, quiet
FebruaryRain16 rainy daysHigh8°Low3°Cold, wet
MarchRain18 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low4°Cool, windy
AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh11°Low5°Mild, lambs
MayRain13 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Spring green
JuneRain15 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°Long days
JulyRain15 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°Warm, busy
AugustRain16 rainy daysHigh18°Low13°Heather, busy
SeptemberRain16 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°Mild, calmer
OctoberRain18 rainy daysHigh13°Low9°Autumn color
NovemberRain17 rainy daysHigh10°Low6°Wet, short days
DecemberRain18 rainy daysHigh8°Low4°Cold, lights

Average daily high and low in Exmoor National Park, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Exmoor National Park

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 4°
Humidity: 87%
Wind: 12 km/h
Chance of rain: 24%

Exmoor National Park

11:23 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+0

Today10°6°24%Monday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 24%.
Tue10°6°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed8°6°2%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 2%.
Thu7°5°6%Thursday: Drizzle. High 7°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 6%.
Fri8°3°13%Friday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 13%.
Sat9°2°10%Saturday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 10%.
Sun7°2°17%Sunday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 17%.

Updated 09:20 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP

Amount

Converted to

GBP · British Pound

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Exmoor National Park

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

AugBristol International Balloon FiestaBristol, a day trip

Day trips by train

Lynton and Lynmouthby car or busTwin villages on the cliffs, linked by a cliff railway.
Dunsterby car from MineheadA castle village at the edge of the moor.
Tarr Stepsby carA medieval stone clapper bridge over the River Barle.

Before you go to Exmoor National Park

Exmoor staysVillage inns and coastal guesthousesCheck availability

Rental car for ExmoorVillages are far apart; a car helpsCompare car hire

eSIM for Exmoor valleysSignal drops in valleys; save mapsRead the guide

Insurance for moor walkingCover for injuries and cancellationsRead the guide

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Rules for Exmoor National Park, checked

Check gov.uk to see whether you need a UK ETA before you travel. The rule depends on your nationality, so check it against your own passport.
Keep dogs on a lead around livestock, including Exmoor ponies and sheep, and on open moor in spring and summer, as the Countryside Code on gov.uk explains.
Wild camping in England needs the landowner's permission. Check the Exmoor National Park Authority website before you pitch a tent off a campsite.
Take all litter home and carry a bag for dog mess. The Countryside Code on gov.uk covers this and the rest of the access rules.

Plan around Exmoor National Park

Dartmoor National Park

The bigger Devon moor to the south

Read the guide Devon

North Devon sits on the moor's western edge

Read the guide Bristol

A gateway city for north Somerset and Exmoor

Read the guide Bath

A short drive from the north Somerset coast

Read the guide All of England

National parks and cities across England

Read the guide Cars and trains in Britain

Rental versus rail for the moor

Read the guide

Exmoor National Park FAQ

Is Exmoor worth visiting?

Yes, if you want moor and sea cliffs in one small park. It is quieter than the Lake District, but you need a car or careful bus planning to see much of it.

Is Exmoor free to visit?

The open moor and coast have no gate or entry fee. You may pay for parking, boat trips or attractions, so check the park's current visitor information.

How many days do you need on Exmoor?

One full day covers Lynton and Lynmouth, a coast walk and a moor drive. Two or three days suit walkers and stargazers who want to link coast and moor properly.

Can you see the stars on Exmoor?

Yes, it is an International Dark Sky Reserve, and the park lists stargazing advice and a discovery trail. Clear nights around the new moon give the best views.

Dartmoor or Exmoor: which is better?

Dartmoor is bigger and wilder, with granite tors. Exmoor is smaller, with sea cliffs, wooded valleys and dark skies. Choose Exmoor for coast and stars, Dartmoor for tors and long walks.