About Exmoor

The Exmoor National Park was established in 1954 following the National Parks Act of 1949 which provided that certain areas of Britain should be recognised as being of particular importance to the nation as a whole.

Exmoor was recognised as an area of wild natural beauty with characteristic structural, topographical, vegetational and scenic features giving it an individual identity.

Exmoor is one of the smaller National Parks in England and covers an area of about 267 square miles. It is not always realised 70% of the area is privately owned with the balance in the hands of the National Park itself, the National Trust and the Forestry Commission. The Exmoor National Park Authority based in Dulverton has a difficult path to tread in meeting the requirements of landowners, farmers, residents, visitors and interest groups.

The geology of Exmoor is mainly of sedimentary rocks which over the millenia have eroded to leave the deep valleys and rolling hills we see today. Grazed and cultivated since early times with significant conversions of moor to farmland and woodland since the nineteenth century Exmoor is now a pleasing mix with a wide variety of scenery.

The high average rainfall of over 80 inches a year means there are many picturesque streams and rivers. Moisture loving plants and grasses grow on the boggy areas of the high moor while the better drained surfaces are covered with heather which gives the landscape the familiar purple covering in late summer.

The lower slopes have been mostly enclosed for grazing farmland which supports a large population of sheep and increasingly beef cattle. In the valleys where the soil is richer grow crops for winter feed. The widespread planting of trees on the valley slopes for asthetic and commercial reasons started about 200 years ago. Conifer plantations were encouraged in the aftermath of the World Wars but as these mature they are increasingly being replaced with broadleaf woodland more in keping with the local environment.

Through all these landscapes wander over 600 miles of footpath, bridleway and unmade roads available to the public for their greater enjoyment of the unique blends of scenery.