Tag: Exmoor

Exmoor Society Talks with Nigel Phillips

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Date for your diary:

Society Talks 2023

Nigel Phillips
Wed 15th June @ 6.30pm

The Exmoor Society
34 High Street, Dulverton, TA22 9DJ

Join us for a talk, book signing and Q&A session with local conservationist and writer Nigel Phillips

Somerset’s coast runs from the River Avon, just north of Portishead, south and west for 64 miles to the remote beach at Glenthorne on the Devon border.

Join Nigel on his talk that will explore the wonderful and very varied wildlife found along Exmoor’s coast, on the cliffs and in rock pools.

Nigel is a celebrated local conservationist, who launched his book last year The Nature of Somerset’s Coast.

Members £5 Non-members £10 Refreshments provided

BOOKING ESSENTIAL – visit exmoorsociety.com or ring the office on 01398 323335

Restoring Tarr Steps

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The clapper bridge at Tarr Steps being restored ( should be open by the weekend) and the wonderful display of bluebells on Varle Hill. It looks to be a very delicate job putting all the stones together in the right place and at the correct angle. Well done to those involved – skill and patience required I think! Perfect working conditions for it though!”

By Pauline Richards (24 May 2023)

This is what Tarr Steps and the River Barle looked like on 14 January 2023 after the storm (thanks to Adam Galpin for the photos);

The river was a murky and tumultuous sight, with water surging well beyond the typically calm banks. Trees and shrubs lining the river’s edge were battered, with some even torn from their roots and carried downstream. Tarr Steps, a renowned prehistoric clapper bridge, was partially submerged, with only a few of its large stone slabs visible amid the rushing water. The storm’s force has shifted some of the stones. In the background, thick layers of grey clouds have obscured the surrounding hills, creating an even more ominous and foreboding atmosphere.

Northern Lights over Exmoor

In the night of 23/24 April, the Northern Lights danced over Exmoor. Here are some photos:

Beautiful Northern lights over Lynmouth

Debbie Tucker

“Last night from Haddon hill, unedited straight from the camera, a gorgeous aurora view. So lucky to live on the doorstep of a dark skies reserve. 😍”

Laura Grant

“I haven’t taken much time with these but wasn’t really necessary i think you will get the idea, one picture taken from each direction.

The whole sky was alight.”

Nick Harbourne

New Exmoor Classic Walks launched

Exmoor National Park Authority has published a new collection of ‘Classic’ walks that offer visitors and locals alike a chance to explore the beauty of Exmoor and all that makes it special.

The Exmoor Classic walks are a series of twelve longer self-guided walks that take participants through some of the most iconic and breath-taking landscapes of Exmoor. Each walk has been carefully selected to showcase the very best of the area, from the rolling hills and sweeping vistas to the rugged coastline and hidden valleys.

The new collection follows the launch of the popular and acclaimed Exmoor Explorer walks, a collection of ten shorter walks, which were launched as Exmoor reopened post lockdown in Spring 2021. Later this year a new range more accessible ‘Exmoor Strolls’ will be published to complete the National Parks collection of top walks.

“We are thrilled to be launching the Exmoor Classic walks,” said Dan James, Rural Enterprise Manager at Exmoor National Park Authority.

“Exmoor is a truly special place, and walking remains by far the most popular activity. We believe that these walks will offer people a chance to explore more of the National Park and learn more about the history, wildlife and communities of the area. We hope that like the Explorers these walks will inspire people to explore more of the National Park and discover all that it has to offer and lead to a greater love and care of this special place, spreading the benefits for all.”

The Exmoor Classic walks range from 4.5miles to 12.5miles and are spread across the National Park including:



·      Bossington Hill – 6.5miles

·      Combe Martin and Great Hangman – 4.5miles

·      Countisbury and Brendon – 10miles

·      Dulverton and Tarr Steps – 12.5miles

·      Dunster and Bats Castle – 6.5miles

·      Exford and Dunkery Beacon – 11miles

·      Porlock Weir, Culbone and Hawkcombe – 10miles

·      Roadwater and the Brendon Hills – 8 miles

·      The Chains – 5.5miles

·      The Valley of Rocks – 5miles

·      Winsford and the Punchbowl – 7miles

·      Woody Bay and Hunters Inn – 5.5miles



Summary information and digital mapping are available free of charge from www.exmoorwalks.org. Tough water and tear resistant route guides with OS maps and added information are available for just £1 each from Exmoor National Park Centres, and a boxed set of all 12 routes can be purchased from Centres and online for the special price of £10.