Exmoor Path Closures
Information about path closures can be found by clicking on the links below.
Closure Location: Kemps Lane, Winsford
Path Number: Restricted Byway DU10/55
Parish: Winsford
Closure Type: 21 days
Closure ends: 21st June but will be reopened as soon as works are completed
Plan: Plan showing alternative route via public bridleways DU10/11 and DU10/9
Reason for Closure: From the 1st June 2026 the restricted byway will be closed for resurfacing works. These are expected to be completed within a few days and the route will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.
Closure Location: Watersmeet near Lynmouth
Path Number: Permitted Path (pp488)
Parish: Lynton & Lynmouth
Closure Type: 1 week
Closure ends: 1 week from 18th May 2026
Plan: Plan showing alternative route via Chiselcombe Bridge
Reason for Closure: The National Trust has informed us that one of the large footbridges, Hoar Oak Footbridge near Watersmeet, will be closed for 1 week from today to have scaffolding put in place. An alternative route is shown on the plan below. Maintenance work is planned for early June which will involve further bridge closures but only one bridge at a time – more info to follow.
Closure Location: Bridleway at Stoke Pero
Path Number: Public Bridleway WL12/18
Parish: Luccombe
Closure Type: 21 days
Closure ends: 4th June 2026
Plan: Closure Notice and Plan showing alternative route for all users - walkers may use other routes via permitted paths
Reason for Closure: There is a dangerous, over-hanging branch right above a gate on this bridleway. The National Trust plan to clear this as soon as possible so that the public bridleway can be reopened. It is hoped this will be within a week of 14th May 2026.
Closure Location: Bridleway north from Hillsford Bridge near Lynmouth
Path Number: Public Bridleway 211BW16
Parish: Brendon
Closure Type: 6 months
Closure ends: 7th November 2026
Plan: Notice of Order Made and Plan showing alternative route for walkers (via footpaths) & riders (via minor roads)
Reason for Closure: This closure is due to a landslip which occurred during digger works by National Grid. The route is impassable and will be closed off at both ends. The bridleway is still accessible via permitted paths from Watersmeet to continue eastwards towards Rockford. Alternative routes are shown on the above plan – for walkers this is on footpaths via Myrtlebury Cleave to avoid the A39 but please be aware this route is steep in places. For riders, the only alternative is via minor roads. The landowners, the National Trust, are liaising with National Grid to get the problem resolved as soon as possible and repair works are planned.
Closure Location: Avill Farm, Dunster
Path Number: Public Bridleway WL7/9
Parish: Dunster
Closure Type: 6 months
Closure ends: 19th June 2026
Plan: Notice of Order Made and Plan and alternative route for walkers & cyclists via roads.
Reason for Closure: This closure is due to a dangerous bridge at Avill Farm. This closure is for walkers and cyclists only. Horse riders may use the bridleway as there is a ford which is usable for horse riders (subject to recent weather conditions). The ford is NOT SUITABLE for walkers or cyclists. The only alternative route for walkers and cyclists is via the A396 and Knowle Lane and is shown in blue on the plan. Please TAKE CARE when using this route.
Closure Location: Hinds Pitt Footbridge on Tarr Steps Circular Walk
Path Number: pp125
Parish: Winsford / Withypool & Hawkridge
Closure Type: Emergency Closure of Footbridge due to Structural Failure
Closure ends: Not yet known
Notice and Plans: Map with location of path
Reason for Closure: Unfortunately, the bridge above Hinds Pitt Pool that forms part of the popular Tarr Steps circular walk has had to be closed due to structural failure and for public safety. The bridge has been there since the 1950’s and some key parts of the steel structure have deteriorated to a point where they are no longer safe - we are planning for its replacement, and we are looking into that urgently. In the meantime, the Tarr Steps site is otherwise open for everyone to enjoy, including short walks there and back on either side of the river and all the longer walks in the area are fully open too. The popular long distance footpath the Two Moors Way is still passable using an alternative route on the west bank of the river.”
Closure Location: Weir Water, near Robber's Bridge , Oare, Somerset
Path Number: Permissive path
Parish: Oare
Closure Type: Indefinite Closure
Closure ends: n/a
Notice and Plans: Map with location of path
Reason for Closure: This closure of the permitted path is due to a broken bridge. There is no alternative route.
Closure Location: Sillery Sands
Path Number: 241FP24
Parish: Lynton & Lynmouth
Status: Public Footpath
Closure Type: Permanent Closure
Closure ends: Permanent Closure
Reason for Closure: Landslide. No alternative route available.
There is no access to Countisbury from Sillery beach. The path from Sillery sands to Countisbury Hill is totally impassable. The steps have been washed away by the sea and a large part of the path has slipped into a landslide, If you proceed along the beach eastwards from Lynmouth, please be aware of the tide as you can be cut off. There is no other exit from the beach, beyond the end of the promenade. You must retrace your steps, before the tide comes in.