The Buttery at Malmsmead

A mystical valley surrounded by peaceful walks in the countryside made famous by RD Blackmore.

The Lorna Doone Valley was made famous by RD Blackmore in his famous novel Lorna Doone. Today you can enjoy the extensive walks, bridleways and tea room, or stay longer at the Cloud Farm Campsite where you can sleep underneath the stars in a dark sky reserve. 

Explore the valley and wider area, including Watersmeet and Foreland Point on the miles of waymarked footpaths, by bike or even on horseback. Nothing beats a good hot drink after a great adventure. Our tea and coffee are from fairtrade suppliers and we’ve also got a great range of herbal teas. For a real treat, we do a luxurious hot chocolate and of course, we are also famous for our cream teas – delicious any time of year.


A National trust car park and public toilets can be found at here. The buttery is fully accessible, please enquire about accessible parking, near to the Buttery.

The Buttery, Malmsmead, Lynton, EX35 6NU
01598763402
northdevon@nationatrust.org.uk
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lorna-doone-valley
Open 10.30-5 pm daily (1 April – 31 October)

Dunster in the May sunshine

Photos by Susan Ragbourne.

Bluebell time on Exmoor

Photos by Angela Wensley

The lanes are brimming with colour after this weekend’s rain. Photos by Andrea Corrie.

Cow Castle on Exmoor

Photo by Rebecca Laura.

Cow Castle is an Iron Age hillfort 5.75 kilometres west of Exford. It is a Scheduled Monument. It has been added to the Heritage at Risk register because of the risk from bracken. (Wikipedia)

Spring in the Valley of Rocks

Valley of Rocks.
Photo by Annie Chadeyron. Early April 2022.

Exmoor Fair @ Allerford is looking for traders

Join us at the first Exmoor Fair at Allerford Village Hall & Grounds!

Sunday, 22 May 2022
10 am till 4pm
Food * Arts * Crafts * Wellness

We’ve been planning a Taste Exmoor event in Porlock Vale for the past 2 years, but Covid thought otherwise. This year we are back – we had to scale down to 1 day (rather than 3), but we’re going to add arts, crafts and wellness into the mix.

There is limited space for tables indoors, but lots of space for marquees on the grounds. 

Looking forward to having you on board!

If you are offering

  • Hot Food
  • Food & drink products
  • Arts
  • Crafts
  • Wellbeing (Yoga etc)

then we’d love to hear from you.

Sign up here or send us an email.

Lambing time on Exmoor

Lambing is in full swing on Exmoor, and the fields are full of the cutest lambs. Sarah Hailstone took loads of photos of lambs and ewes. Here they are:

Looking down the valleys

Looking east towards the West Somerset Coast and the Quantocks.
Looking down onto Selworthy.

All photos by Mike Lanning, shared with us in our Facebook group.

Circular Walk around Pinkery Pond

Photos by Tracey Thomas.

March snow on Exmoor

The last day of March has brought snow to the top of Exmoor – hard to believe that only a week ago we all enjoyed warm spring sunshine!

Here are a few photos from this morning:

The walk out to Wheal Eliza looked like a winter wonderland this morning.

Suzanna Rabourne, 31 March 2022

Foal in the snow this morning

Nicky Beckett, 31 March 2022

Biting wind out on the moor today but stunning.

Debbie Tucker, 31 March 2022