Rare chance to own a piece of South West Coast Path history

A retired fingerpost arm from the very start of the South West Coast Path is being offered in a special closed bid auction by Exmoor National Park Authority, raising funds to help care for Exmoor's Public Rights of Way network.

The wooden fingerpost arm was previously located at Minehead, the starting point of the South West Coast Path, pointing walkers towards Poole 629¼ miles away at the other end of the National Trail. Recently replaced by a new fingerpost, the retired fingerpost arm is now ready for a new home, with CareMoor for Exmoor inviting closed bids from Friday 25 September until 23:59 on Monday 26 October 2026.

CareMoor for Exmoor lead Clare Weeks from Exmoor National Park Authority said:

" Fingerposts are a familiar and much-loved part of the Exmoor landscape, helping walkers, riders and cyclists find their way across the National Park and behind each one is a lifecycle rooted in Exmoor. Even in retirement, they can have another story to tell – one former Exmoor fingerpost is currently on display at London's Natural History Museum after being found to support twelve rare lichens."

From Woodland to Moorland

The National Park Authority's Field Services team produces Exmoor's traditional wooden fingerposts, gates and stiles at its workshop at Exford, using locally and sustainably grown and processed timber. Rangers, Field Services staff and volunteers then work across approximately 1,000km of public rights of way to maintain the paths, signs and other infrastructure that help keep Exmoor accessible.

Clare continued: "There are more than 3,000 wooden fingerposts across Exmoor, exposed year-round to the elements, cattle and ponies and, over time, individual posts and arms inevitably need to be repaired or replaced."

The successful bidder will receive the retired wooden fingerpost arm* as well as the opportunity for up to six people to enjoy a guided walk with an Exmoor National Park Ranger from Minehead to North Hill along the South West Coast Path. The minimum bid is £300, with proceeds supporting the maintenance and improvement of the Public Rights of Way network within Exmoor National Park.

How to bid

The closed bid auction opens on Friday 25 September 2026 and closes at 23:59 on Monday 26 October 2026.

Bids must be submitted through the official online bidding form and the minimum bid is £300. Only one bid per person is permitted. Bids will remain confidential and will only be reviewed after the closing date, with the highest valid bid selected as the successful bid.

The successful bidder will be contacted by Friday 30 October 2026 and will have 10 working days from notification to confirm acceptance and make payment in full.

To find out more and submit a bid, visit:  Own a Piece of Exmoor | Exmoor

Make your own mark on Exmoor

For those who would rather help support a fingerpost still out on Exmoor, CareMoor for Exmoor also offers the opportunity to sponsor a new or replacement fingerpost through its Donate a Fingerpost dedication scheme.

To find out more visit: Donate a Fingerpost