www.historic-ireland.com
Exmoor and West Somerset, Somerset, England
West Somerset Railway
Exmoor and West Somerset
Exmoor, the National Park bordered by the Quantock Hills area of Outstanding National Beauty. The variety of the landscape is unparalleled.
This is a countryside ranging from rough moor and heather, through patchwork fields and sheltered woodlands to a dramatic coastline featuring the highest cliffs in England. The scenery is breathtaking and has to be experienced with many features showing intricacies of change throughout the whole year. It has inspired books such as Lorna Doone and poems such as the “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Coleridge.
Only three hours from London, nestled in the heart of rural South West England, Exmoor straddles both Devon and Somerset and enjoys the best of both. The diversity of the area reflects its heritage and history, from the fossil laden cliffs of Kilve through the National Trust castle at Dunster and on to the living experiences of the springtime Hobby Horse and the ever-popular ninepin skittles at the local pubs.
The scenery is characterised by small villages, lanes and bridges of medieval or earlier origination as at Dunster (where the castle is!) with its working water mill, timber framed houses and thatched cottages.
Exmoor is home to the West Somerset Railway, the longest steam railway in daily operation in the country and the Victorian water powered cliff railway, connecting the villages of Lynton and Lynmouth. The river Lyn itself tumbles down from the moor over and through the spectacular rocky gorge that forms Watersmeet, a sight not to be missed.
The moor is home to an abundant array of wildlife including the famous Exmoor ponies and the magnificent Red deer. These can be viewed from vehicles for picture safaris, on foot, by cycling or horseback, as the area is particularly well suited to equestrian pursuits.
For more Information please contact:
Minehead TIC,
17 Friday Street
Minehead
Somerset
Email: info@mineheadtic.co.uk
or
Porlock Visitor Centre,
West End High Street,
Porlock
Tel: 01643 863150
Email: porlockci@somerset.gov.uk
Web: www.porlock.co.uk
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