Scroll down for more accommodation and visitor attractions in and around Exmoor.
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Place to stay in Somerset
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Accommodation and travel ideas in Exmoor
Exmoor is a National Park situated on the Bristol Channel coast of south west England. The park straddles two counties, with two thirds of the park located in Somerset and the other third located in Devon. Before it was a park, Exmoor was a Royal Forest and hunting ground, which was sold off in 1818. Exmoor was one of the first British National Parks, and is named after the main river that flows out of the district, the River Exe.
Historical places to visit in Exmoor
The romantic story of Lorna Doone has become blurred between fiction and fact. The story was written by R D Blackmore and first published in 1869 and has never been out of print since 1870. The Doone's were known to live on Exmoor during the seventeenth century but are believed to have returned to Scotland. The whole story is set in Exmoor in the 17th century during the Monmouth Rebellion and tells the story of the Ridd and Doone families whose feud started when the Doone clan, renowned Exmoor outlaws, killed John Ridd, a farmer. The Doone Family lived in Doone Valley and the difficulties arise when the John Ridd falls in love with Lorna who turns out to the grand-daughter of Sir Ensor Doone! The parish church at Oare to the west of Porlock is where Lorna Doone is said to have been shot by her half-brother while she stood at the altar about to marry John Ridd. There is a memorial to RD Blackmore and a note showing which was likely to be the window through which she was shot.
Tarr Steps is a popular location to visit within Exmoor National Park. The main attraction is the prehistoric clapper bridge which spans the River Barle. This is made out of stone slabs that weight around 5 tons each! It is believed to date from around 1000 BC or local legend has it that they were placed there by the devil to win a bet! A popular way to explore the flor and fauna, archaeology, farming history and historic buildings of Exmoor is to take a 4x4 safari across the moors.
Historic bed and breakfasts (B&B's) and hotel accommodation in Exmoor
The more historic hotels and bed and breakfasts will be towards the centre but there are a decent range of hotels throughout, with more rural hotels and B&Bs to stay within easy reach. Overall, there is a good range of bed and breakfast accommodation.
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Places to stay
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