3 Exmoor’s coast
With its rugged coastline, windswept hills and peaceful valleys, Exmoor offers a bit of everything, say Jen & Sim Benson.
On a stormy night in 1899, Lynmouth‘s coastguard was informed of a stricken vessel in the Bristol Channel. Unable to launch the lifeboat from the wave-ravaged beach, the crew and 20 horses pulled it up and over Countisbury Hill – 1,000ft of ascent – to launch from Porlock Weir. This walk traces their footsteps along a stretch of the South West Coast Path. Foreland Bothy, on the northernmost point of Devon, awaits – along with a sunset if you’re lucky. Day two follows Badgworthy Water through the deep green of the Doone Valley. Finally, on day three, climb to Dunkery Beacon, the summit of Exmoor, from where a steep descent follows the Coleridge Way back to Porlock. TRANSPORT Take trains to Taunton www. nationalrail.co.uk 0845 748 4950 and then Bus 28 from Taunton to Minehead and Bus 10 from Minehead to Porlock www. traveline.info 0871 200 2233
PUBS/GRUB The Blue Ball Inn, Countisbury (01598) 741263, www.blueballinn.com Charlie Friday’s Café, Lynton, 07544 123324, www.charliefridays.co.uk Nartnapa Thai Kitchen at the Cottage Inn, Lynbridge (01598) 753496, www.thai restaurantlynton.co.uk
ACCOMMODATION The National Trust (NT) Foreland Bothy (sleeps 4) or the NT Butter Hill Barn bunkhouse (sleeps 6), 0344 800 2070, www.nationaltrustholidays. org.uk; camping at Cloud Farm, Oare (01598) 741278, www. cloudfarmcamping.co.uk; B&B or self-catering at North Walk House, Lynton (01598) 753372, www.northwalkhouse.co.uk
PRACTICALITIES Both Porlock and Lynton have shops and cafés. Lynton also has banks, doctors and fuel
TOURIST INFO Porlock Visitor Centre (01643) 863150,www.porlock. co.uk;Lynton and Lynmouth Tourist Information Centre (01598) 752225; Exmoor National Park Visitor Centre, Lynmouth (01598) 752509