Where to Stay on Exmoor
Quick Answer
Best for first-time visitors: Lynmouth, Lynton or Dulverton Best for coast and views: Porlock, Lynmouth or Combe Martin Best for walking: Dulverton, Exford or Simonsbath Best for quiet stays: Exford, Winsford or the central moorland villages Best overall tip: Choose between coast, moorland or valley before choosing the accommodation.
The best areas to stay on Exmoor, from coastal villages and harbour towns to quiet moorland bases and wooded valleys.
Exmoor is wonderfully varied. One stay might be all sea cliffs, harbour views and coastal paths. Another might be red deer country, wooded valleys, rivers and open moorland. Choosing where to stay on Exmoor depends on the kind of trip you want: coastal exploring, walking, wildlife, quiet villages or easy access to several parts of the national park.
Choosing the Right Exmoor Base
Exmoor is smaller than Dartmoor in scale, but it feels incredibly varied. The coast has drama, sea air and steep wooded combes. The central moor offers space, wildlife and dark skies. The southern and eastern edges give you softer countryside, market towns and easier road links.
For a first visit, it often makes sense to stay somewhere with food, parking and a few nearby options for walks or day trips. If you already know Exmoor, a quieter village or moorland inn can give you a deeper, slower experience.
Visiting from Overseas
If you are travelling from the United States or further afield, Exmoor is best explored by car. Distances are not huge, but the roads can be narrow, steep and winding, especially around the coast and wooded valleys. Build in extra time, avoid over-packing your days, and choose a base that gives you a good mix of scenery without too much driving.
Coast, Moor or Valley?
The big decision is simple: do you want to wake up near the sea, deep in the moorland heart, or close to rivers and wooded valleys? Coastal bases are brilliant for views and atmosphere. Moorland villages are best for wildlife, walking and dark skies. Valley and edge-of-park bases often offer comfort, food and easier access.
Lynmouth and Lynton make one of Exmoor’s most memorable bases, combining sea cliffs, wooded valleys, harbour atmosphere and easy access to coastal walks.
Dulverton sits on the southern edge of Exmoor and works well as a practical, attractive base with shops, places to eat and access to rivers, valleys and moorland routes.
Porlock offers a strong village feel, nearby coast, access to Porlock Weir and routes into wooded combes and open high ground.
Exford sits close to the heart of Exmoor and gives you a more rural, moorland feeling. It is a good base for walking, wildlife watching and quieter evenings.
Simonsbath feels deep in the Exmoor landscape, surrounded by open country, river valleys and a sense of space. It is one of the best bases for a quieter, more remote stay.
Dunster is one of the most attractive historic villages near Exmoor, with castle views, old streets and easy access to both coast and countryside.
Minehead is larger and busier than the smaller Exmoor villages, but it can work well if you want facilities, transport options and easy access to the coast and western edge of the park.