Plan Your Visit
Welcome to Exmoor, one of 15 National Parks in the UK.
National Parks have been chosen as special protected areas because of their beautiful countryside, wildlife and history and are places that provide inspiration, recreation and health and wellbeing to the Nation. National Parks are living, working landscapes where people live and work as well as visit. Although most of the land within them is privately owned, there are hundreds of miles of footpaths and bridleways where you have the right to access, as well as areas of moorland designated as "open access land".
Exmoor is a unique and special place, packed full of beautiful landscapes, wildlife and history and has been designated a National Park since 1954. We have wild windswept moorlands with great views, secret wooded valleys where ancient oaks trees cling to the slopes and clear rivers that rush towards the sea. We have some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in the UK. You can explore villages full of history and make your way along footpaths and tracks that are all carefully signposted and looked after by the National Park.
Find out more about our Habitats and Wildlife
Like all the UK National Parks, Exmoor is free to enter, there are no gates and no opening and closing times. Look out for “cairns” on the roadside as you enter the National Park.
Exmoor is for everyone and everyone has their own way of enjoying it. For some people it’s about long walks or cycle rides through the beautiful landscape, for others it’s about finding a quiet spot to sit down and just breathe in the sights and sounds of nature. No matter how you enjoy it, please help us protect our precious wildlife and landscapes by leaving no trace of your visit.
For ideas and inspiration call into one of our National Park Centres: or pick up a copy of the annual Exmoor publication (2023 edition - PDF).
We hope your experience of Exmoor will inspire you to want to help care for our National Park.
Signing up to our newsletters is a great way to keep up-to-date with news and events.
If you want a hands on experience, then our Get Involved programme of events, training, and volunteering could be for you.
Or why not consider donating to CareMoor for Exmoor and helping us care for tomorrow's National Park. No matter how large or small, every donation goes towards keeping Exmoor special for future generations.
Sudden changes in the weather are a part of Exmoor’s charm, so always expect the unexpected and pack accordingly. Sturdy footwear, a waterproof layer, sun cream or a hat and tick removers can all be useful things to take with you for a day out in the countryside.
Be Tick - Aware - find out more here
And it goes without saying that you should take home anything you do bring with you, including all litter and dog poo, which can be hazardous to wildlife and grazing livestock. Our out and about essentials page has all the information to help you enjoy your day safely.
Yes we love dogs and Exmoor is a fantastic place to explore with your four-legged friend. More information on dogs here to help keep wildlife and livestock safe.
Exmoor National Park Authority has declared a climate emergency meaning we’re committed to urgent action on climate change. We’ve put together these simple steps that everyone can follow, both at home and away, to help reduce their environmental impact and live more sustainably.
Get the younger generation involved too by taking on our Park Protector Challenge, available to download and print at home here
To help us keep Exmoor special for everyone, please -
Take your litter home – leave no trace.
Keep dogs under close control and clean up after them.
Park responsibility – don’t block roads or gateways.
Leave gates as you find them – if in doubt close them.
Only use designated sites for camping and motorhomes.
Respect - Protect - Enjoy
We're here to help
Our award-winning National Park Centres are staffed with Exmoor experts ready to help with ideas and inspiration to help you get the best from a visit:
Lynmouth National Park Centre, 01598 752509,
NPCLynmouth@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
Dunster National Park Centre , 01643 821835,
NPCDunster@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
Dulverton National Park Centre , 01398 323841,
NPCDulverton@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk