Something for all sixteen.

Tarr Steps circular

Exmoor

Cross the ancient stone clapper bridge and follow the River Barle through woodland and meadow; about 2 miles and just over an hour. Lunch at Tarr Farm Inn by the bridge.

Big groupDogsPub at the start

Landacre Bridge to Simonsbath

Upper Exmoor

A longer, one-way walk up the Barle through open moor, with a real sense of remoteness. Arrange a drop-off and pick-up, and finish with dinner at the Exmoor Forest Inn.

One wayBook ahead

Watersmeet from Lynmouth

Exmoor coast

Up the East Lyn gorge from the harbour to where two rivers meet, then back for fish and chips on the quay.

Big groupWith kids

Heddon’s Mouth

Exmoor coast

A steep wooded valley that opens onto a wild pebble cove where the river meets the sea. Start and finish at the Hunters Inn.

DogsPub at the start

Valley of the Rocks

Near Lynton

A dramatic dry valley running parallel to the sea, with high cliffs and its famous wild goats. Easy to pair with Lynmouth.

With kids

South West Coast Path (opens in a new tab)

The whole coast

England’s longest national trail runs right along the Exmoor and North Devon coast. Walk any stretch: Lynmouth to Valley of the Rocks, or Woolacombe round Morte Point.

Dogs

Tarka Trail (opens in a new tab)

Braunton

A flat, traffic-free former railway line along the estuaries, from Braunton through Barnstaple and Bideford. Walk a stretch or hire bikes.

With kidsBig group

Saunton Sands

Near Braunton · 40 min

Three miles of flat sand backed by the Braunton Burrows dunes, so even a big group has room to spread out. Its long, gentle waves make it a longboard favourite and a good place to learn.

Big groupWith kidsLongboardingSurf school

Woolacombe

North Devon coast · 45 min

Nearly three miles of golden sand with RNLI lifeguards from Easter to October. A dependable beach break that works for most levels, and the classic family beach day.

Big groupWith kidsLifeguardedSurf school

Putsborough

Southern end of Woolacombe Bay

Tucked under Baggy Point, the headland shelters it from strong south-westerlies, so it’s the place to go when the wind blows everywhere else out. Softer waves; quieter than Woolacombe.

Sheltered in a south-westerlyWith kids

Croyde

North Devon coast · 45 min

A smaller bay with a lively village and the Rock Inn nearby. The surf is punchier and heavier than its neighbours, can barrel at low tide and has strong currents, so it suits confident surfers.

Punchy wavesStrong currentsSurf school

Lynmouth

Exmoor coast

A left-hand point break peeling over boulders at the river mouth. It only works on big winter swells around low tide, but it’s special when it does. Rocky and shallow: experienced surfers only.

Experienced onlyPoint breakWinter swells

Surf lessons

Group lessons with board and wetsuit hire on the sandy beaches; Saunton and Woolacombe are the gentlest places to start.

South Molton pannier market (opens in a new tab)

South Molton · 15 min

Thursdays and Saturdays, 9am to 1.30pm. Around 70 local traders under the Victorian roof and out in Drovers Yard: veg, bread, fish, meat, pasties, flowers and crafts.

Rainy dayBig group

Lynmouth and the cliff railway (opens in a new tab)

Exmoor coast

A harbour village where the wooded valley meets the sea. Ride the water-powered cliff railway, running since 1888, up to Lynton, then fish and chips on the quay.

With kidsDogs

Clovelly and Hartland (opens in a new tab)

Further west

Clovelly is a privately owned fishing village with no cars: one steep cobbled street down to a tiny harbour, goods still moved by sledge and donkeys stabled at the top. Entry includes parking, two small museums and the gardens; a Land Rover runs back up in season. Carry on to Hartland Quay and the waterfall at Speke’s Mill Mouth.

Car-free villageEntry feeDogs on leads

Quince Honey Farm (opens in a new tab)

South Molton · 15 min

Honey factory tours, candle rolling and nectar gardens, with an indoor soft play and a restaurant that does a good Sunday roast in a big dining hall. Open daily.

With kidsRainy dayBig group

Arlington Court (opens in a new tab)

National Trust

A Regency house, a carriage museum of over 40 carriages, a walled garden and 25 miles of estate paths. Dogs are welcome everywhere except the house and tea-room.

Rainy dayDogs

Dunster, Porlock and Porlock Weir

A longer drive east for a castle above a medieval village, then the tiny harbour at Porlock Weir beneath the moor.

The Big Sheep (opens in a new tab)

Abbotsham

A farm park famous for its sheep races and duck trials, with an animal barn, rides including the Rampage coaster, and EWEtopia, a huge indoor play zone. Animals from February half term; rides from Easter.

Rainy dayBig groupSeasonal rides

Exmoor Zoo (opens in a new tab)

Bratton Fleming

A family-run zoo on the edge of the moor, home to the ‘Exmoor Beast’ black leopard, cheetahs and meerkats, with wallaby feeding and handling sessions through the day.

Rainy day

Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park (opens in a new tab)

Combe Martin

Animals, life-size animatronic dinosaurs, a dinosaur museum, soft play and a little railway. Usually open spring to autumn.

Seasonal

The Milky Way Adventure Park (opens in a new tab)

Near Clovelly

Rollercoaster and rides, big indoor soft play and a birds-of-prey show. Open all year, so a good rainy-day plan; pairs with Clovelly.

Rainy dayOpen all year

Woolley Woods bike skills area

National Trust Arlington estate

Free to ride, with small lines for younger kids, a jump line for older ones, a play area and woodland walks.

FreeNew

Rock-pooling and sandcastles

Pick a low tide, pack a bucket and a net, and stay for the sunset.

Tarka Trail by bike (opens in a new tab)

Braunton

Around 30 miles of flat, traffic-free former railway line beside the estuaries. Hire bikes in Barnstaple and ride as far as you like; ideal for a mixed group.

With kidsBig group

Woolley Woods bike skills area

National Trust Arlington estate

National Trust: North Woolley

New for 2026 and free to ride: progressive lines, rock sections and a jump line with proper-sized jumps, plus smaller lines for younger kids. A play area and woodland walks for anyone not on a bike.

With kidsFreeNew

Mountain biking with Exmoor Adventures (opens in a new tab)

Exmoor coast

Guided rides on mountain bikes and e-bikes for different levels; the e-bikes make the moor’s climbs manageable for everyone.

Big groupBook aheadE-bikes

Road cycling

Rolling lanes, steep climbs and big views to Dartmoor and the sea. The lanes start at the barn.

Coasteering with Exmoor Adventures (opens in a new tab)

Exmoor coast

Cliff jumps, swims and sea caves with a guide, wetsuits and kit provided. Brilliant for a group; book well ahead in summer.

Big groupBook ahead

Sea fishing from Ilfracombe

Charter boats run from the harbour, from a couple of hours catching mackerel to full days further out in the Bristol Channel.

River fishing

The Mole rises just up the valley from the farm, but the upper reach is private, so head for the middle stretch. The Lyn runs through a lovely wooded valley. Permits needed.

Horse riding

West Anstey Farm Stables · Pine Lodge Exmoor · Brendon Manor

Guided rides across open moor for different levels, from first-timers to confident riders.

Clay and game shooting

Exmoor Shooting Company · Exmoor Simulated Game Shooting

Exceptional shooting thanks to the deep valleys. Have-a-go clay days and lessons suit a group celebration.

Archery

Ask about have-a-go archery when you book clays; a good option for younger members of the group.