>Exmoor Attractions : General Interest

Scroll down or select from these bookmarks:

 1. Cleeve Abbey
 2. Coldharbour Mill
 3. Combe Sydenham Country Park
 4. Dartington Crystal
20. Dunkery Vinyard
 5. Dunster Working Water Mill
 6. Exmoor Brass Rubbing Centre
 7. Exmoor Safari 
 8. Exmoor Wildlife Safari
 9. Exmoor Steam Railway and Gardens
10. Glen Lyn Gorge
19. Horsedrawn Tours
11. Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway
12. Quince Honey Farm
13. Sheppy's Cider Farm
14. Tarka Trail Cycle Hire
15. Torre Cider Farm
16. West Somerset Railway
17. Wild Badger Magic
18. Wimbleball Lake

EXMOOR
ATTRACTION
 

DETAILS

Cleeve Abbey

 

1

"One of the few 13th-century monastic sites where you can still see such a complete set of cloister buildings". Some of England's finest cloisters.  "Magnificent architecture. Rare Cistercian wall paintings.  Peaceful, riverside location".

Open
all year see website for details
Location:  Washford,  E of Minehead, quarter mile S of the A39.
Tel
(01984) 640377

Coldharbour Mill

 

2

Working Wool Museum.  "Step back and experience life in the past."
"All-weather attraction with so much to see and do.  Impressive industrial heritage museum in the heart of Devon.  Exciting guided tours of working spinning & weaving machines in a Victorian factory.  Two giant mill engines and 1888 Lancashire boiler.  Fantastic New World Tapestry.
Mill Shop, selling gifts, souvenirs, knitted yarn, woven cloth and Devon Tartan."  Also Mill Cafe.

Open March-Oct: 10.30am - 5pm daily.  Nov-Feb: 11am-4pm
(During the winter please tel. for restaurant and guided tour times).  Cafe open 7 days a week all year.
Location Uffculme, Cullompton, Devon, EX15 3EE
Tel (01884) 840960

Combe Sydenham

 

3

Country Park.  "Experience the country in Sir Francis Drake's hidden valley of romance.  
Walk
the many miles of woodland walks and see nature at its best. We have Picnic sites and a children's play area too.  
Guided tours
of the West wing of the house and gardens  on Mon, Weds, Thurs. at 1.30pm
Mountain Bikes are welcome.  Courses to challenge the best riders.  Annual permit available with free parking. £3 per day. April -Sept.  Mountain Bike racing NACC events tel (0162)336860
Off Road 4x4 courses: experience the potential of your 4x4 and gain confidence at our training centre.  Must be accompanied by one of our staff.  Many different courses - easy to extreme. 10 miles woodland tracks.  Bookings only phone (0800)7838572".

Open  April-30 Sept 9am-5pm daily.  Guided Tours:23 April-30 Sept.
Location Monksilver, Taunton, Somerset.
Tel (01984)656364

Dartington Crystal

 

4

Visit the Dartington Crystal factory and watch skilled craftsmen blowing and shaping beautiful crystal glass.  Free Parking. 12,000 sq.ft. of world class shopping in the factory shops.

Open Factory shops and Restaurant: Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm; Sun 10.30am-4.30pm
Factory tour & Visitor centre: Mon-Fri 9.30am-4pm (last tour 3.15pm). We advise telephoning to check latest.
Location Dartington Crystal Ltd, Great Torrington, Devon, EX38 7AN
Tel 01805 626262

Dunkery Vineyard

Wootton
Courtenay

20

Seven acres of of vines in a beautiful area of the Exmoor National Park and one of the finest wineries in England.  Owner Derek Pritchard is one of the most experienced English wine producers.  His wines are made in the classical way with a minimum of processing, so that the natural grape flavours come through in the wine: he grows more than 12 vine varieties.  Derek will give you a very interesting tour of the estate and winery (sometimes lasting 2 hours) and there are wines to taste (and purchase if you wish).  The scenery and wildlife are magnificent - the vineyards share an abundance: red deer, roe deer, badgers, foxes, pheasants, partridges, buzzards, green woodpeckers, goldcrests and flocks of goldfinches.

 

Open: March-November
Location: Wootton Courtenay, near Dunster, Somerset, TA24 8RD
Tel: (01643) 841505

Dunster Working Water Mill
National Trust
 
5

"The West Country's finest working water mill. Built 1680, the mill is set in magnificent surroundings alongside the River Avill, only minutes from Dunster Castle and the High St.  See how flour is produced as the wheat grain is fed down to the grinding stones before being bagged up for local bakeries.  Fascinating collection of ancient agricultural machinery in the integral museum."
Shop, Tea room and Garden
 
Open Apr-end Oct  daily except Fri 11am-4.45pm. July/Aug open every day.
Parking nearby
Location Mill Lane, Dunster TA24 6SW
Tel (01643)821759

Exmoor Brass Rubbing & Hobbycraft Centre

6

 

"Fun for all the family.  Over 150 brasses and Special  Rubbing Plates.  Instruction, supervision and materials provided.  Fun for all ages.  School, Youth Group and Disabled Parties welcome."

Open  Daily most of the year but check by telephone
Admission Free.  Visitors only pay for their rubbings
Location Victorian Brass Rubbing Emporium, Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park, Combe Martin, N. Devon, EX34 0NG
Tel (01271) 882486

Exmoor Steam Railway & Gardens

 

9

"This unique half size narrow-gauge railway nestles on the western slopes of the Exmoor National Park almost 1000ft above sea level & is the highest narrow gauge railway in England.
Come and enjoy a delightful 2 mile ride on Exmoor's great little trains.  Unlimited no. of rides, cream teas, light lunches and gift shop.  Children's Play area, trampolines and model railway."

Open Apr-Oct.  - phone for details
10.30am-5pm (last admission 4pm)
Santa specials in Dec
Location Cape of Good Hope Farm, Bratton Flemming, Barnstaple, N Devon. EX32 7JN
Tel (01598)710711

Glen Lyn Gorge

 

10

"The Power Of Water".  A Site of Special Scientific Interest,  don't miss this spectacular gorge, through which poured the waters of the 1952 Lynmouth Flood Disaster.
The informative 'Power of Water' exhibition shows some of the water from the West Lyn River producing environmentally friendly hydro-electricity for the community.
Lovely woodland walks by the waterfalls. Children can operate the giant water wheel.  Water cannons too!!

Open Easter to Oct.  Gorge and Hydro-elec. also opens most winter days.
Location Entrance and Lynmouth crossroads, 200yards upstream from the harbour.

Quince Honey Farm

 

12

"The world's largest exhibition of living honey bees.  Indoor apiary with 20 colonies of bees in natural habitats.  Hives which open at the touch of a button to show the bees living and working inside.  The complete honey production process explained and demonstrated.  An all-weather attraction.
Large Car park and picnic area.  Britain's biggest honey farm."

Open Exhibition: 5 Apr-30 Sept.  9am-6pm Oct 9am-5pm
Shop open all year except 25 Dec-1 Jan
Location South Molton, N. Devon, EX36 3AZ
Tel (01769) 572401

Sheppy's Cider Farm

 

13

"Since the early 1800's  the Sheppy family has been making cider in the West Country.  From 1925 they have been renowned for their quality ciders, which have gained them over 200 awards and 2 gold medals. You've just got to taste it to see why!".
Cider shop;  Sampling;  Museum;  Nature walks;  Licensed tea room;  pre-booked guided tours.

Open Mon-Sat: All year round 8.30am-6pm
Sundays (Easter to Christmas only): 12noon-2pm
Location Three Bridges, Bradford on Tone, Taunton, TA4 1ER
Tel (01823) 461233

Tarka Trail Cycle Hire

 

14

"Enjoy the Peace & Quiet, the Scenic Beauty & Safety of the Tarka trail.
Up to 21 Miles of Level, Scenic, Traffic Free Cycle Track. There's something to offer everyone from the cycling enthusiast to railway buffs, scenic view's over river and estuary and is a bird watchers paradise."
Extensive range of cycles to hire; Adults, kids, baby seats, trailer bikes etc.
Booking advisable in the summer (can be by phone)
Hire fees from £5-£8.50

Open Easter-End October every day 9.15-5pm.  By appointment during the winter.
Location The Railway Station, Barnstaple, Devon
Tel (01271) 324202

West Somerset Railway

 

16

"Britain's longest preserved railway.  Steam trains to the seaside.  
20 miles of steam-Bishops Lydeard (near Taunton) to Minehead.  10 restored stations.  Plenty of 'olde world atmosphere'.  Many regular services.  A great day out for all the family."

Open see their website for timetables and ticket prices
Location The Station, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5BG
Tel (01643) 704996       
24 hr talking timetable: (01643) 707650

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Wimbleball Lake
  

18

 

Large man-made reservoir which is well naturalised.  Lakeside walks and lovely views,  picnic and play areas,  camping.  Lunches, cream teas, locally crafted gifts and books.  Trout fishing (boat & bank).  Sailing Club.

Clatworthy Reservoir is another scenic lake a couple of miles East of Wimbleball with fishing and lakeside walks and Nature Trail.

Open all year
Location Brompton Regis, Near Dulverton. Follow the brown signs.

Wild Badger Magic

 

17

"Right before your eyes!.  Fully illuminated above and below ground.  Comfortable hide at the edge of their natural sett.
Booking essential.
Devon Badger Watch"

Open Evenings May-Oct.
Location Near Tiverton
Tel (01398) 351506

Exmoor Safari
  
7

"The Original Exmoor Safari.  Established 1983.  Viewing Wild Red Deer.
All aspects of local wildlife explained.  Morning, Afternoon and Evening excursions.  2 - 2.5 hours."

Prices 2004: Adults £20 chd(U12)£12 in a 8 seater Landrover Station Wagon.
Departs from The White Horse Inn, Exford
To Book for this unique trip please telephone (01643) 831229 or 831112

Exmoor Wildlife Safaris (Evenings) 8

As seen on TV.  For Bookings please telephone Coach Travel (daytime) (01643)704204 or (01984)631819(evenings).

Torre Cider Farm

 

15

"Free cider tasting straight from the barrel.  Enjoy coffee, lunches, home-made cakes or cream teas in our new tea room.  
Relax with a glass of country wine or traditional cider.  Visit Cynthia, our Gloucester Old Spot pig  or feed the piglets.  Browse through our farm shop.  View our video on the fascinating world of cider making."

Open  Mar-Oct: Every day 9am-6pm,  Nov-Feb: 10am-4pm.
Location Washford, Watchet, TA23 0LA.  Follow the brown tourism signs from the A39 in Washford.
Tel (01984)  640004

Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway

 

11

A Unique Victorian water powered Lift linking Lynton with Lynmouth for foot passengers.  "Devon's top tourist attraction".  A remarkable and unique ride, which is also very useful. see Lynton Village Guide.

Open from 10am daily, Mid February to beginning of November. (closed for maintenance during winter months).
Location Next to the town hall in Lynton or the sea front in Lynmouth.
Tel (01598)753486  E-mail: enquiries@cliffrailwaylynton.co.uk

Horsedrawn Tours
West Ilkerton Farm
 

Travel across farmland and open moorland in a purpose built wagon pulled by friendly Shire horses.   
Beautiful scenery.
Ideal for all ages and abilities (including wheelchair users).
Picnic, cream tea and Birthday rides a speciality. Discount for large groups. 

Please book in advance
.

Open: All year
Location: West Ilkerton Farm, Lynton, Devon, EX35 6QA
Tel: (01598) 752310                (Luxury Self Catering cottage also available)

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page updated:17/11/05