This part of England ‘s West Country is a hidden gem for holidaymakers. Slightly off the beaten track, it has stunning scenery and a wealth of wildlife, a spectacular coastline, pretty villages and many visitor attractions. You will discover the famous red deer and Exmoor ponies, abundant birdlife from buzzards, sparrowhawks and kestrels, to swallows, skylarks and tiny wrens. Exmoor provides a perfect holiday destination for all types of holiday, active or more relaxing, with many opportunities for outdoor pursuits.
There are many historical sites and buildings to fascinate visitors to the area, including several National Trust and English Heritage properties, such as Arlington Court near Barnstaple, Dunster Castle, Cleeve Abbey, Knightshayes Court and Killerton, near Exeter.
Wintershead is ideally placed for touring this part of Exmoor and North Devon . We are only 15 minutes from the North Devon link road, which allows easy access to Barnstaple, Bideford, Bude and North Cornwall. The quaint old village of Clovelly is a popular tourist spot, with its steep cobbled main street and pretty harbour. The spectacularly rugged coastline of North Devon is a short drive away, with its wooded valleys leading down to hidden coves, and tall cliffs towering above the sea. The quiant village of Cloverlly.
The twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth have a dramatic location on the coast, surrounded by steep wooded valleys with sparkling streams tumbling down over rocks on their way to the sea. Here you can take a ride on the cliff railway, explore the shops, museums and galleries around the pretty harbour, or treat yourselves to a cream tea at Watersmeet. Walkers and ramblers will enjoy exploring this section of the South West Coast Path, which provides some challenging terrain and wonderful views across the Bristol Channel to Wales. Combe Martin, Ilfracombe, and Woolacombe with its long stretch of golden sands, are other pretty coastal villages worth visiting. From Ilfracombe or Bideford you can have a boat trip to Lundy Island, a remote island 10 miles off the coast of North Devon. Lundy is owned by the National Trust and is a place of outstanding natural beauty teeming with wildlife. This is a fascinating trip for all the family, and was voted Boat Trip of the Year by the Good Britain Guide.
The West Somerset Steam Railway
If you enjoy a more active holiday, Exmoor provides lots of opportunities for outdoor pursuits, such as walking, horse riding, mountain biking, sailing, windsurfing and fly fishing. North Devon is a surfer’s paradise, with several good surfing beaches including Croyde, Putsborough, and Woolacombe, all within easy reach from Wintershead. Families with children will find plenty of attractions to enjoy, such as Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park, Watermouth Castle near Ilfracombe, the Exmoor Zoo near Bratton Fleming, the West Somerset Steam Railway at Minehead, and many more too numerous to mention!
Many visitors find that just being on Exmoor, enjoying the peace and quiet and glorious scenery, is enough to ‘restore the batteries’, and leave you refreshed and relaxed. Whatever type of holiday you are looking for, activity-filled or slow and relaxing, Wintershead holiday cottages can provide a luxurious base for you to return to after a day spent enjoying the many attractions that Exmoor can offer.