AUTUMN DAYS IN EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK

Exmoor is the only of the three principal west country moorland areas to include imposing sections of coastline. Rugged cliffs, open grazing lands and extensive stretches of wild moorland contrast with the lush green valleys and pretty villages equally typical of this region.

Exmoor has pretty well everything, and is especially well suited to walking. On Shank’s Pony you can discover the very best that Exmoor has to offer - especially those areas off the normal tourist tracks.

We stay in a friendly, family-run hotel in the picturesque village of Dunster, with its imposing castle complex and ancient houses, and each day we set out to discover a different area on foot. The walking is not especially difficult, and the distances involved are reasonable. After all, it’s supposed to be a holiday!  It is, however, first and foremost a walking holiday, and guests should be willing and able to undertake at least longish strolls without too much difficulty. Sometimes we will travel a short distance by bus, train or taxi to reach our starting point. If some guests want to walk a little more – or less! – than planned, we will do our best to accommodate their wishes.

Among other points of interest we visit the neighbouring holiday resort of Minehead, with its picturesque old town; the garden village of Selworthy, where the tea house “Periwinkle Cottage” is home to some of the best cakes in the universe; the twin towns of Lynmouth and Lynton, linked together by a water-powered cliff lift; the little hunting lodge at Watersmeet, tucked away between two raging torrents in the depths of a steep-sided valley. Exmoor has all this and much more besides: together with a knowledgeable local guide you can opt to take an Exmoor-Safari to learn more about the fascinating wildlife of these moorlands, among others red deer, birds and unique Exmoor ponies. The area is endowed with more than its fair share of cosy, olde worlde pubs, which we will naturally also look forward to visiting!

Everyone knows Dartmoor, and thousands of people head there each year. But with the exception of one or two “hot spots”, Exmoor has managed to remain relatively unaffected by mass tourism. Why not join us and let us convince you?!

GENERAL INFORMATION

ACCOMMODATION. The price includes 7 nights’ accommodation in double or twin-bedded rooms with private bath or shower and WC; daily generous cooked breakfast, and two 3-course dinners with a choice.

SINGLES: People travelling alone are most welcome. Since single rooms are not always available, guests should be prepared to share a twin-bedded room with another suitable person if necessary. In other cases a supplement is payable. Further information is available on request.

THE WEATHER: September/October in the south west can be absolutely glorious. Warm sunny weather is no rarity, although it can often be pretty windy. Therefore always bring warm clothes with you. As you will appreciate, however, the lush green West Country meadows are not that colour by chance! It does sometimes rain! As a result we would very strongly recommend that you bring good Goretex jackets and rainproof trousers with you, as well as a small foldable umbrella. But bring your sun cream, too. Sun, wind and salt will ensure an enviable tan!

THE WALKING: On some days we shall be walking approximately 4-8 miles, sometimes less. The walking is generally quite easy, with mostly gentle gradients and good surfaces. There is a lot to see en route, so we always allow plenty of time to enable guests to appreciate the area and to do justice to the places of interest.

GETTING THERE: For people travelling by train we can arrange a set-time pick-up from and return to Taunton station, which is on the main London Paddington – Penzance railway line. For those driving, parking is not normally a problem. Full travel details are supplied to all guests when booking.

 DATES:  SUNDAY 1ST TO SUNDAY 8TH OCTOBER 2023

OUR GROUPS ARE ALWAYS PRETTY SMALL : USUALLY APPROX. 10-16 PERSONS. ALL GROUPS ARE ACCOMPANIED BY JENNY AND/OR GREG CURTIS-BEARD PERSONALLY

 WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEND YOU FULL DETAILS OF OUR HOLIDAY PROGRAMME WITH THE RELEVANT PRICES AND DATES

In general our walking and garden holidays are not suitable for children.

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