The Coast
The coastline within the National Park stretches for (59 km) 37 miles. It is outstanding for both its scenery and its wildlife and was one of the prime reasons for the designation of Exmoor as a National Park. Exmoor has the highest coastline in England and Wales with coastal hills rising to 433m (1421ft) at Culbone Hill. The highest sheer cliff is 244m (800ft) on Great Hangman, which is the highest sea cliff in England and Wales.
A special feature of the coast is that it is remarkably sheltered. This allows for the unusual development of coastal woods. The woods between The Foreland and Porlock represent the longest stretch of coastal woodland in England and Wales.
The inaccessibility of much of the woodland leaves it remarkably close to natural vegetation for Britain and it contains diverse plant life, including whitebeam varieties unique to Exmoor. The Exmoor coast must also rank amongst the most unspoilt and best protected stretches of coastline in England and Wales.
At Combe Martin, Lynmouth and Porlock Weir there are small harbours that used to be busy with coastal trade. Now sailing and fishing for pleasure are their mainstay.