Exmoor National Park in England, United Kingdom - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-24. Check linked official notices before travel.

Exmoor National Park in southwest England combines moorland, wooded river valleys, and the coast. Choose a coastal base such as Lynmouth or a moorland and village itinerary from Dulverton or Dunster. General park entry is free, but parking, accommodation, and individual attractions have their own arrangements.

Highlights from Exmoor's coast to its moorland

• The coast: explore a selected section of the South West Coast Path, with a route suited to your group and the weather.
• Wooded valleys: the Exe, Barle, and Lyn river systems offer a different setting from the open moor.
• Lynmouth, Dunster, and Dulverton: national park centers provide local advice and maps for three different starting points.
• Moorland wildlife: look for red deer and Exmoor ponies without assuming that animals will be beside your route.

Know before you visit Exmoor

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Use the national park center schedules for seasonal changes. Free entry to a center does not include its nearby parking charges.

Weather, country roads, and wildfire risk

Take sturdy footwear and waterproof clothing. Conditions can change during a walk. Watch for livestock on country roads, and allow time for narrow routes. In rural areas, a postcode can cover a large area; confirm the actual trailhead or parking area before driving.

Do not light open fires or use barbecues in very dry conditions. Follow fire warnings and local site rules. If you see a wildfire, call 999 and ask for the Fire Service. Move away from danger and do not attempt to fight the fire.

Hinds Pitt Bridge upstream from Tarr Steps is closed until further notice. The usual River Barle circular walk cannot be completed. Walk back along the same bank instead of trying to cross there. Check current path notices before choosing a river walk.

Access rights and working countryside

Much of Exmoor is privately owned. Public rights of way and mapped open access land provide different forms of access. Open access rights cover recreation on foot; they do not automatically allow camping, cycling, riding, or swimming. Use appropriate routes or obtain the relevant permission.

Follow the authority's access guidance and temporary notices. Keep to public routes through enclosed farmland. Take litter home and avoid disturbing wildlife.

Camping and overnight stays

Get the landowner's permission before camping overnight anywhere on Exmoor. Choose a campsite or arrange permission for the specific place. A parking payment or walking right does not authorize an overnight camp.

The authority's Hawkcombe Woods and Pinkery wild camping sites are arrangements for youth groups, subject to advance booking and availability. They are not public drop-in campsites. Use the group visit guidance if organizing that type of stay.

Maps, road approaches, and public transport

Exmoor lies in England, United Kingdom, across parts of Somerset and Devon. From the M5, the authority lists the A39 approach from junction 23 for Minehead and northeastern Exmoor, the A358 from junction 25 for eastern Exmoor, and the A361 from junction 27 with onward routes toward other parts of the park.

There is no mainline railway within Exmoor. Taunton, Tiverton Parkway, and Barnstaple are possible rail arrival points with onward arrangements. Use the official travel information to plan your connection. Some buses have short seasonal schedules, so verify both the outward and return service for your travel date.

Navigate to the chosen village, center, or parking area rather than to a general national park map pin. Get a suitable walking map for the route. National park centers can help with local choices.

Nearby protected landscapes by road

For an onward trip east from Exmoor, consider the Quantock Hills National Landscape, including its coast around West Quantoxhead and Kilve. To the west, the North Devon Coast National Landscape includes places such as Combe Martin and Woolacombe. Choose the option that fits your side of Exmoor rather than crossing the whole park for a short stop.

Build a coastal or inland day

For a coastal visit, start with local information at Lynmouth and select a section of the South West Coast Path. Clifftop and valley walking can involve different terrain from a short town visit. Match the route to the forecast and your available daylight.

For an inland visit, combine a village stop with a walk through woodland or moorland. The Exe and Barle valleys provide river settings, while the open uplands provide wider views. Use a mapped route instead of assuming that visible tracks all carry public access rights.

National park centers and parking

Dulverton's center is at Exmoor House, Kemps Way, TA22 9HL. It has ramp access to the ground floor and a hearing loop. Dunster's center is at Dunster Steep, TA24 6SE, with level access through external doors and a hearing loop. Public toilets and paid parking are below that center.

Lynmouth's center is in the Pavilion on The Esplanade, EX35 6EQ. The centers provide advice, maps, and exhibits; the seasonal schedules above differ considerably in winter. Check a particular building or walking route against your access needs.

The authority parking page identifies where its permit applies. At Valley of Rocks, only the listed authority parking area is covered; other parking areas there have separate management.

About Exmoor National Park

A national park since 1954

Exmoor was designated a national park in 1954. Farming, settlement, and other land uses remain part of this protected landscape. Exmoor National Park Authority carries out park responsibilities alongside landowners, councils, and the operators of visitor services.

Red deer, ponies, and varied habitats

Red deer and Exmoor ponies are among the animals associated with the park. Moorland, oak woodland, rivers, and the coast provide different habitats. Look from a distance and give animals room rather than trying to draw them closer.

Contact Exmoor National Park Authority

For general inquiries, call +44 1398 323665 or email [email protected]. The authority's office is Exmoor House, Dulverton, Somerset, TA22 9HL. Visitor advice is also available from the national park centers during their stated opening hours.