Although the UK has many fine towns and villages, perhaps some of the best adverts for the country way of life can be found in the South West, especially in the county of Devon. Between them, the towns and villages in the Exmoor National Park, and the surrounding countryside offer many rural pursuits and traditional activities for tourists.
Exmoor National Park as a whole is one of the most popular spots in the South West for walkers and wildlife enthusiasts. The Quantock Hills and Exmoor moorland are home to famous wild ponies, while there is a good selection of walks inland over the hills, and closer to the coast. Outdoor sports fans are also well catered for, with facilities for boating, cycling, horse riding, golf and more besides dotted all over the National Park.
The scenic open spaces and sports facilities give way to some interesting tourist attractions too, including a zoo, a glass factory, steam railway and a famous holiday resort. A number of small towns also provide entertainment for visitors, including museums, art galleries, and a harbour. They are also great places to go if you want to sample the local produce, or the renowned Exmoor Ales.
This site gives a good overview of what you can expect to find on a visit to Exmoor and the surrounding area, but it also hones in on one town in particular, which is a must-see on a visit to the Devon/Somerset area: Dunster is regularly described as a ‘time warp’, which should come as no surprise when you discover the number of listed buildings in the village. A traditional and preserved country village, there is much here that appeals to visitors, from the selection of independent shops and tearooms, to museums, and the medieval Dunster Castle.
Although only a small village, its events program has grown over the years, to include celebrations of local produce, outdoor sports, steam trains, and local wildlife. There’s also the annual Dunster Fair. This fair began as a Donkey Derby, but has now expanded to include dog and pony shows, trade stands, falconry display and a craft fair.
Mix all these things together, and you have an ideal recipe for a family day trip or several afternoons out. You’ll also find that the Dunster/Exmoor area is well linked to the local transport networks, and offers a variety of accommodation, if you want to make it your base from which to explore the wider Devon area. There are traditional country hotels, self-catering cottages and guesthouses, along with caravan parks to choose from. Want to find out more about this, and everything else Exmoor and Dunster have to offer? Then read on!