Tel: 01398 323 278
Email: winsbere@btinternet.com
DULVERTON is a small friendly and lively Exmoor town on the River Barle with a relaxed pace of life.
Exmoor House in the town is the headquarters of the Exmoor National Park Authority. There are an interesting selection of shops, a Bank, Post Office, 3 Churches, the Exmoor National Park Visitor Centre and Dulverton Heritage Centre. There are excellent tea rooms offering light lunches and delicious cream teas plus pubs and restaurants providing good food and local ales.
Art/craft exhibitions take place in the Dulverton Heritage Centre. Dulverton Parish Church is the venue for several concerts during the year, and Dulverton by Starlight takes place on the first weekend in December. The Dulverton Players arrange various events in the Dulverton Town Hall during the year also visiting drama groups perform. Dulverton was also used as the setting for the film ‘Land Girls’ and is mentioned in the legend of Lorna Doone by R D Blackmore.
From Dulverton, waymarked walks follow the picturesque River Barle Valley, look out for buzzards and kingfishers, to the famous ancient clapper bridge at Tarr Steps and onwards to the highest moors where Exmoor ponies graze and the wild red deer roam. Chill out and enjoy being close to nature, discover Exmoor’s coombes and streams and its flora and fauna. From Dulverton by car there are numerous places to visit on Exmoor where you can escape to relax and recharge and enjoy stress free days and either visit the unspoilt Exmoor villages or just sit peacefully under a tree, picnic by a stream or park on the moor, listen to the birds, admire the view and watch the world go by. During August/September the moors are a carpet of purple heather and in late spring bluebells are in abundance in the woods. Visit the Dulverton Town Council website for more information.
Tarr Steps, Nr Dulverton – Tarr Steps is a ‘must’ for visitors to Exmoor, 15 minutes by car from Dulverton. It is an ancient clapper bridge over the River Barle between Dulverton and Withypool and 4 miles from Winsford. There is a car park from where you can walk to the Steps and enjoy a short circular level woodland walk along the River or more demanding walks over the moor to Withypool and beyond. Tarr Farm at Tarr Steps offer varied refreshments including cream teas.
Visit the links below for more information on life in the Exmoor National Park:
www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
www.visit-exmoor.co.uk
www.exmoor-holidays.co.uk
Wimbleball Lake, Nr Dulverton
Wimbleball Lake is only 10 minutes by car from Dulverton. This picturesque Lake lies within Exmoor National Park and is surrounded by farmland and woodland. There are numerous walks around the lake also a watersports centre offering hire and tuition, fishing and birdwatching. Tea and gift shop. Iron Man Comp takes place annually at the Lake.
For information visit www.swlakestrust.org.uk
Opened in 2006, the Exmoor Pony Centre can be found at Ashwick, Nr Dulverton very close to Winsford Hill and Tarr Steps. Visit the Exmoor Pony Centre and get close to and ride the Exmoor Ponies on Exmoor and learn about the work of the Moorland Mousie Trust which aims to promote and conserve the ExmoorPony. A unique experience individually tailored for you. Booking essential. Admission Free. Fun days & Cream Teas during the Summer.
For more details visit www.exmoorponycentre.org.uk or phone 01398323093
Horse Riding
Exmoor has over 350 mile of bridleways.
West Anstey Farm Stables 01398341354
Pine Lodge Riding Stables, Nr Dulverton 01398323559
Wimbleball Lake 01398371460
Exe Valley Fishery at Exebridge, Nr Dulverton 01398323008
For Exmoor Fishing enquiries Tel 01398323409
West Somerset Railway at Minehead
A trip on the steam trains of the West Somerset Railway take in spectacular scenery of Exmoor, Minehead and the Bristol Channel.
Visit www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
Snowdrop Valley, Nr Wheddon Cross
For a winter break in February visit the secluded woodland valley near Wheddon Cross known as Snowdrop Valley. Exmoor National Park operate a Park and Ride Bus Service for visitors to enjoy the carpets of wild snowdrops.
Visit www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk for details.
National Trust Properties
Knightshayes Court and Gardens, Nr Tiverton
Dunster Castle, Dunster, Nr Minehead
Arlington Court and Gardens Nr Barnstaple
Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Walking
Exmoor National Park has over 500 miles of footpaths through woodland, across moorland, coastline and farmland. Some of the walks start at Dulverton where you can leave the car at Winsbere and enjoy a full day taking in Tarr Steps and the southern moors or shorter circular walks. “The Coleridge Way” is within easy reach. Dunkery Beacon, the highest point on Exmoor is 1700 feet above sea level, provides magnificant views of Exmoor, the Bristol Channel and Wales on a clear day. Exmoor National Park organises a series of guided walks.
Winsbere is ideally situated for the Exe Valley Way walking route
www.exploremoor.co.uk (For Car Free Walking)
For up to date information visit
www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
Cycling
Sustrans “The National Cycle Network” which incorporates “The Westcountry Way” Cycle Route 3 and “The Tarka Trail” passes through Dulverton. Winsbere especially welcomes cyclists,(CTC member) the route passing its front gate, and can arrange limited washing/drying facilities and provide lock up storage for bikes.
Visit www.ctc.org.uk
Exmoor Wildlife Safaris
A perfect way to explore Exmoor is to join an off road adventure in a Land Rover from Dulverton. The Exmoor Safaris operate all year and follow the progress of the colourful Exmoor seasons, viewing wildlife in their natural environment. For details visit www.exmoorwildlifesafaris.co.uk
North Devon and West Somerset Coast
Approx 40 mins by car will take you across the wildest part of Exmoor to Lynton and Lynmouth on the North Devon Coast (known as “Little Switzerland” due to its spectactular scenery). Also visit the Valley of Rocks at Lynton where the mountain goats roam and take a trip on the cliff railway at Lynton/Lynmouth. Travelling east towards Porlock and Minehead is the village of Brendon and the Doone Valley at Oare, as mentioned in the book Lorna Doone.
The surf beaches of Croyde, Woolacombe and Saunton are a few miles West of Lynmouth.
Exmoor National Park is now an International Dark Skies Reserve. For Stargazing events visit www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/visiting/things-to-do/stargazing
Click here for map location
Grid Ref SS913274
