Peter Stephens is a professional photographer based in Exeter, with strong links to Exmoor.  Here is his account of a visit to the Valley of the Rock:

The stunning view over the Valley of Rocks on Exmoor National Park, North Devon. This spectacular ‘dry valley’ is unlike another combe on the north coast. The valley which was probably created during the Ice Age has spectacular weathered rock formations with names such as ‘The Devil’s Cheesering’, Castle Rocks’ and ‘Ragged Jack’.

I last climbed this rock to take a panorama back in 2006, you can see this image here. It’s a beautiful spot, and if you are mad enough to climb up to this spot you’ll have an amazing view – not that I’m recommending you do at all, please don’t it’s not safe.

After carrying my heavy pack pack up with my camera gear in I was shattered, why I decided to carry it all up I don’t know – well I have a few nice shots so yes it was worth it. When I got to the top I sat there for a while and took in the view (while catching my breath back). After taking a few shots from this location, I had a look at the rock previously scaled to take the panoramic photograph. It looked different than I remembered and quickly decided that I would be mad to climb up and told myself no, take one from the spot I was standing. Looked around…. and the rock I wanted to climb was in the way of part of the view, so only one choice but to climb up. Grabbed my Benbo 11 tripod with the camera and panohead and climb up a little way to the rock. At this point there was a sheer drop to my left, had to climb around a few bolder’s with my camera and tripod – not much fun. Finally at the bottom of the bolder I had to work out how to get me and my gear up 10 foot of rock. Fortunately there is a little ledge I could reach to put my camera on while I climb up, and eventually I was there. This was the really scary bit…. just about all around is a sheer drop, as you can see in the interactive image above.

Managed to bring myself to stand up on the rock, thinking “what the hell am I doing up here” – set the camera up, took the photos and then realized that I had left the memory card in the other camera…. great ! Usually I have a card in each of my cameras, but had used one up earlier that day and for the first time ever had a card fail on me. So only one card left, which was back in the other camera in my bag. So laded the camera down on the rock, climbed back down again to get the card and back to take the shot for real. Finally got the shot in the bag as you can see above.

Looking at it now I’m glad I climbed up again, such a lovely view of the Valley of Rocks from here. Wanted to take some more around the area but didn’t have the time, will be back again though as I’m often in North Devon for one reason or another.

It’s well worth a visit, has some lovelly walks around the area and only a short walk away from Lynton and Lynmouth.