The Exmoor coast is short but endlessly varied. Towards the eastern end, around Kilve and
East Quantoxhead, the land meets the sea in a flat embrace at the feet of the Quantock
Hills.
The ancient port of Watchet lies here, with its Old Worlde charm, tangle of narrow
back lanes and quaint shops, all leading to the swish new Marina, whilst Blue Anchor and
Minehead have their lively holiday beaches, with the steam trains of the West Somerset
Railway hooting and puffing in the background.
The western flank of Foreland Point shelters Lynmouth in its wooded
cleft, with its sister village of Lynton perched high above. The dramatic Heddon’s Mouth, where river boulders are
overshadowed by vast cliff faces leads to the long, rugged coast around Red Cleave, Watermouth and Blackstone Point
and drops at last to the sheltered resorts of Combe Martin and Woolacombe, with their sandy bays.
Minehead offers traditional seaside fun. It is
an attractive, flower-filled resort with a
wide, smart new promenade and large sandy beach.
It has won regional, national and international
awards for its floral displays. The colourful, popular
seafront is filled with family attractions and
amusements, but, do not overlook the resort’s
quieter corners – the pretty area around Quay
Street and the harbour, beautiful Blenheim Gardens
and the picturesque Higher Town with its lime washed
thatched cottages.
Walk the coast path the convenient way, with the
help of local bus services (details from information
centres). Or, why not view it from a smuggler’s
perspective on a cruise from Lynmouth, Minehead
or Watchet.
Shore things
The coastline of the National Park is a short one,
only 34 miles long, but packed with beautiful places
from end to end.
Much of the Lynmouth you see today – including the
Rhenish Tower, Lynmouth Street bridge and the harbour
wall – is a reconstruction of buildings and structures
wrecked in a terrible flood in August 1952, as graphically
depicted in the local museum.
The South West Coast Path, which runs along the northern
coast of Exmoor, is Britain’s longest long-distance trail –
it finishes at Poole Harbour in Dorset, 630 miles from its
starting point in Minehead!
Although it’s more of a very steep slope than a sheer
drop, the 800-ft Great Hangman near Combe Martin is
the highest sea cliff in mainland Britain.
Trees don’t normally thrive on coasts – too much salt
and wind in the air – but Exmoor, of course, is different!
The Exmoor coast is the most thickly wooded in Britain,
especially the stretch between Porlock and Foreland
Point with its wonderful ancient oak woodlands.
In 2003, Porlock was crowned the ‘best large village
in Somerset’. Visit the quaint village and find out
why! Just a few minutes away is the charming,
friendly Porlock Weir – an artist’s delight and craft
haven.
The ‘Valley of the Rocks’ is an amazing place, known
as Lynton and Lynmouth’s spectacular ‘Little
Switzerland’. The dry valley (no river flows here any
longer) is lined with craggy outcrops that have
been eroded into fantastic shapes. Look out for the
wild goats, as well as the stunning sea views!
Watch out for Watchet. This ancient little seaport
has a quirky charm and a history of Viking
invasions. It’s an intriguing mix of narrow streets,
old maritime buildings and the new Marina.
Coleridge wrote his epic poem The Rime of the
Ancient Mariner after a visit in 1797, which is now
celebrated by a magnificent statue. There are two
fantastic museums here tracing the significant
history of the land and the sea.
For best results set your browsers page margins to zero
The Exmoor coast is short but endlessly varied. Towards the eastern end, around Kilve and
East Quantoxhead, the land meets the sea in a flat embrace at the feet of the Quantock
Hills. 
