Looking after Exmoor's iconic historic signposts

Many visitors admire Exmoor’s iconic cast-iron signposts, and they are now a source of local pride, but a few years ago many were dilapidated and broken until a project led by the National Park Authority and Somerset County Council with an army of volunteers from local parishes enabled the restoration of 140 signposts.

Following significant damage to two highly important signposts and ongoing maintenance costs, the authority is now hoping to raise at least £3,000 through its CareMoor donations scheme in the coming months. One of the damaged signposts is located at Webber’s Post and the finger that should direct people to Somerset’s highest point, Dunkery Beacon as well as Wheddon Cross, where the famous snowdrop valley is based, is now missing. The second signpost which was vandalised and needs significant repair is located at Withypool.

Shirley Blaylock, Historic Environment Officer for the National Park Authority, said “The cost of replacing the finger on one these historic signposts is around £1,000 as each one is unique and needs to be specially cast in a foundry.  If anyone knows where the Dunkery Beacon finger is please let us know as it can take hundreds of pounds off the cost of repair, even if broken. We’d like to offer an amnesty with no questions asked, regarding missing parts from any of our signposts.”