The Exmoor Centre is a remote residential centre in the Hoaroak valley near Lynton & Lynmouth where young people and families can enjoy being in the heart of Exmoor. Situated beside Hoaroak Water with direct access to open moorland we have inside dormitory accommodation for fourteen and in the grounds camping for sixteen or so more. The property is divided so that most of the grounds will remain wild; there is a securely fenced area bordering the river which is the site of the bunkhouse itself.
ST MARY LYNCOMBE EXMOOR TRUST, own the property and became a registered Charity in 2009. Its purpose is to manage and conserve the area and to provide the opportunity of staying on Exmoor in an isolated situation. As Trustees we must apply the income of the charity “to promote the physical and mental wellbeing of children, young people, families and adults through the provision of outdoor experience within the National Park of Exmoor”.
Established under the will of Dora Cartwright-Williams, it was her wish to see a centre for young people in the Hoaroak Valley in memory of her husband and their life together on Exmoor. Their home in the valley was swept away in the floods that engulfed Lynmouth in August of 1952. The Centre was originally financed and built by the Parent Teacher Association of Ilfracombe Grammar School and opened in 1968.
Today the Trustees are still Chaired by John Gale, one of the original Trustees and retired former head of Ilfracombe Comprehensive School (now Ilfracombe Arts College).
The Exmoor Centre Bunkhouse sleeps 14 people in two bunkrooms of 6 and 8 wooden bunks. Outside there is space for more people camping.
The mission of the Trust is to provide cheap accommodation for young people to explore the wilds of Exmoor, please enquire with as many details of your group as possible and we will do our best to make your stay as economical as we can. The Trust do subsidise some groups to stay in conjunction with local philanthropic societies.
Due to us having ‘proper jobs’ as well as managing the Exmoor Centre our phone isn’t permanently manned. Please send us an email or text to enquire and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
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Telephone 07532 264 184
Email Stay@ExmoorCentre.co.uk
Twitter: @ExmoorCentre
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ExmoorCentre
Access to the bunkhouse is on foot via a bridleway (1km), there is no vehicular access to the site. We are able to transport any luggage or equipment for you by Land-Rover for a small fee by prior arrangement.