Must see places on Exmoor

[Ipso Facto]

Hi, I've visited Devon many times but when I was younger I used to stay around the coast. Later this year I shall be spending a few days on and around Exmoor. Can anyone suggest any "must see" places, natural features or sites to observe wildlife so that I don't have to waste too much time just wandering around.

[m1keanderson]

For a taste of the differing landscapes of Exmoor try the walk from Exford to Porlock Exford to Porlock. If you have time then go down onto the Porlock Marsh for waders and waterfowl BIRDING IN PORLOCK

The walk takes in Dunkery Hill, the highest point on Exmoor, where there is a good chance of seeing merlin and if you're really lucky red deer amongst the heathland. See Dunkery_Beacon | Everything Exmoor National Park for more details

[GuyF]

If I'm thinking of the right area, then Great Haldon Forest may be worth checking out. There's a raptor watchpoint there where if you're lucky you can see Goshawks and other birds of prey. (sorry if I'm thinking of the wrong area!)
Guy

[m1keanderson]

Are you thinking of http://www.haldonforestpark.org.uk/ Guy? If so whilst this is a great place to see raptors, unfortunately it's in South Devon just outside Exeter.

Having spent a couple of fruitless hours at the raptor viewpoint waiting to see a honey buzzard we were just driving out of the park when, there 50 yards in front of us, was one putting on a fantastic wing-clapping display. Life can be like that sometimes

[GuyF]

Originally Posted by m1keanderson

Are you thinking of http://www.haldonforestpark.org.uk/ Guy? If so whilst this is a great place to see raptors, unfortunately it's in South Devon just outside Exeter.

Having spent a couple of fruitless hours at the raptor viewpoint waiting to see a honey buzzard we were just driving out of the park when, there 50 yards in front of us, was one putting on a fantastic wing-clapping display. Life can be like that sometimes

Sorry, got my Exeter and Exmouth muddled up
I'd love to see a Honey Buzzard, I've never visited the watchpoint but I want to, maybe this summer.
Guy

[Ipso Facto]

Thanks m1ke for your suggestions and the links to those very useful web sites. Dunkery Beacon looks like a must!

Are there any further suggestions for sites further south on the moor?

[Karlos78]

Hi, check out the coast around Lynton and Lymouth espicially the area around the valley of the rocks, very beautiful and impressive!
Karl.

[ceterach]

From Lynton you can walk up the East Lyn Valley to Brendon, passing Watersmeet and Rockford (good pub, The Rockford Inn) on the way and then cut back over the moor via Countisbury to Lynton. Or you can do any part of that walk there are loads of paths to complete a circle wherever you start or finish. It is heavily wooded and bird life on the river including Dippers, Grey wagtail, if you are lucky in the woods, Pied Flycatcher but the thing to look for especially morning or evening are Otters. Early in the year there is plenty of Irish Spurge (Euphorbia hyberna), one of it's few British sites. The E.Lyn valley is very special.

The problem with walking up on the moor is that it is so heavily grazed.

Another place worth visiting is North Hill, just west of Minehead, great for heathland birds including a good population of Dartford Warblers (great views of S.Wales too, if you are that way inclined). Driving you have to go almost into Minehead to get up there.

[Ipso Facto]

Thanks guys. I am still reading and taking your suggestions on board.

[Golfer]

In no special order:

• Horner Woods - Fabulous walk along moorland stream plunging down through old oak woodland famous for insects. Might see dippers, grey wagtails etc and buzzards above. Plus world-class tea rooms near car park.

• Military road from Minehead to above Porlock Bay - go there just before sun set for gorgeous setting sun over the ssea, wait until dark and stop on way back just by camping site and listen for nightjars.

• And, finally, just outside Exmoor is Minehead. To most folk that means Butlins, but past that, and by the golf club, begins a coastal path to Dunster Beach. This mile or so is one of the best walks in Britain for wild flowers: sea campion, yellow horned poppy, haresfoot clover, common and sea storksbill and much more that I am not competent to identify. It's the best free show in Somerset.