Exmoor National Park is the perfect place for ambling and rambling – over 1000kms of public rights of way and 18000ha of ‘access land’ await your discovery. Two thirds of the network is designated as bridleway and the area is excellent for exploration of horseback or by bike.
There are many places on Exmoor where you may leave the road and walk over moorland or through woods as long as you use public rights of way. These routes are way-marked with coloured markings or signs, blue for bridleways (horses, bikes and walkers) and yellow for footpaths (walkers only). Dogs must be on a lead or under close control. You may leave a path to take a short detour around an obstruction like a fallen tree, but not to conduct a soil test or stream study for example.
All rights of way are clearly shown on Ordnance Survey maps and must be followed. Please remember that if you are climbing a fence you are not on a R.O.W. Open Access Land where you can walk freely is shown clearly inside the solid purple(National Park) and solid green lines(National Trust) on the 1:25 000 OS Outdoor Leisure map.
It is important to realise that most of the land that you will want to work on or walk over is privately owned. You must not take it for granted that just because there are no buildings and the land is uncultivated or looks unoccupied that you have the right to enter, even if the landowner is an organisation such as the National Trust or the Forestry Commission.
It is only good manners to ask permission if you intend to set up a study on private land. The Exmoor National Park Education Manager can help you identify landowners and give advice on the choice of sites for study.
Whenever you are out in the open countryside remember that the main occupation on Exmoor is farming and that all the land is used in some way. Always use the Country Code in order to avoid causing any problems to farmers
The Outdoor Classroom
Exmoor is an ideal outdoor classroom offering tremendous opportunities for study and recreation in every area of learning and experience and to every age. Subjects for study range from the human impact on the landscape, through planning and conservation issues to river mouth studies and designing for the environment. Walking is often the best way to reach a study site and provides the opportunity for first hand experience of the countryside in all its moods. More than 75% of Exmoor is privately owned but a network of rights-of-way gives access to most of the National Park.
A number of residential centres offer complete study courses in both environmental and outdoor education that can be adapted to meet he specific needs of a group while the variety of accommodation available on Exmoor allows teachers and leaders even greater flexibility and freedom. We are proud of our own outdoor education centre high on the chains at Pinkery (see contacts), and encourage your groups to come and stay there.
A Fragile Environment
All countryside is vulnerable but the special landscapes and habitats of Exmoor are particularly fragile. Please bear in mind this when planning your visit and try to include an element in your studies which encourages your group to value the environment they are studying. Please ask if you would like help in doing this.
Contact for specialised advice and information concerning specific activities and study sites.
All group leaders responsible for young people outdoors should be qualified and experienced in the activities they are leading. Most local authorities have their own guidelines, which must be followed, and run teacher and youth leader courses in outdoor activities.
Educational Sites and Contacts for advice on using land on Exmoor.
Stop press!
Porlock Shingle Ridge is impassable due to the breach. Do not attempt to cross, even at low water. Follow local diversion signs from Bossington to Porlock Weir.