Gamekeeper's Cottage, Martinhoe

In Parracombe and Martinhoe

The Fox and Goose, Parracombe -- A welcoming traditional village pub at the heart of Parracombe. The Fox and Goose serves good pub food with local ales and ciders in a cosy setting. A proper Exmoor local with a warm atmosphere, open fires, and a friendly welcome. Food served lunchtimes and evenings. Dogs welcome.

The Old Rectory, Martinhoe -- A charming seasonal tearoom in the tiny hamlet of Martinhoe, serving cream teas, homemade cakes, and light refreshments. A lovely spot to refuel after a walk along the coast path. Open spring to autumn -- check locally for opening times.

Nearby

The Rising Sun, Lynmouth -- A 14th-century thatched inn right on Lynmouth harbour, approximately 5 miles from Parracombe. Freshly prepared food using local ingredients, with wonderful views over the harbour and out to sea. Real ales, good wines, and a relaxed atmosphere. Booking recommended in peak season.

Lynton and Lynmouth restaurants -- Approximately 5 miles away, the twin villages offer a good choice of dining options including cafes, fish and chip shops, and restaurants. The Esplanade Fish Bar in Lynmouth and the various tea rooms along the main street are popular choices.

The Hunter's Inn, Heddon Valley -- A beautifully situated National Trust inn in the Heddon Valley, approximately 3 miles from Parracombe. A popular stop for walkers heading to Heddon's Mouth, serving bar meals, cream teas, and local ales in a stunning wooded valley setting. Peacocks roam the gardens.

Exmoor Zoo Cafe -- Located at Exmoor Zoo near Bratton Fleming, approximately 3 miles from Parracombe. A good option for families, with a cafe open to zoo visitors.

Heddon Valley and Heddon's Mouth -- One of Exmoor's most dramatic landscapes, owned by the National Trust. A spectacular steep-sided valley leads down to the sea at Heddon's Mouth, a wild and rocky cove where the River Heddon meets the Bristol Channel. Start from the Hunter's Inn car park for a beautiful 1.5-mile walk to the coast. The valley is rich in wildlife -- look out for dippers, grey wagtails, and peregrine falcons along the cliffs.

Martinhoe Roman Fortlet -- The remains of a 1st-century Roman signal station perched on the clifftops above Woody Bay, near Martinhoe. The fortlet was part of a chain of stations watching over the Bristol Channel. The site commands breathtaking views along the coast and is freely accessible on foot from Martinhoe village.

St Petrock's Church, Parracombe -- A remarkable medieval church saved from demolition in 1879 by the campaigning of art critic John Ruskin. The interior is almost completely unaltered, with original box pews, a musicians' gallery, a medieval screen, and a tympanum painted with the royal coat of arms. Now maintained by the Churches Conservation Trust and open to visitors throughout the year.

Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway -- The world's steepest fully water-powered railway, connecting the twin villages of Lynton (at the top of the cliff) and Lynmouth (at the harbour below). Approximately 5 miles from Parracombe. A wonderful Victorian engineering feat and a memorable ride with superb coastal views.

Valley of Rocks -- A dramatic dry valley running parallel to the coast just west of Lynton, approximately 5 miles from Parracombe. Towering rock formations with names like Castle Rock and the Devil's Cheesewring rise above the path, while feral goats scramble over the crags. Free access and parking.

Watersmeet, Lynmouth -- A National Trust beauty spot where the East Lyn River and Hoar Oak Water meet in a deep, wooded gorge, approximately 6 miles from Parracombe. A Victorian fishing lodge now serves as a tea room. Beautiful riverside walks through ancient oak woodland.

Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park -- A family-friendly attraction approximately 5 miles from Parracombe, with meerkats, sea lions, wolves, and life-size dinosaur models set in subtropical gardens. Good for a half-day visit with children.

Exmoor Zoo -- A small, friendly zoo near Bratton Fleming, approximately 3 miles from Parracombe. Home to a wide variety of animals including lynx, cheetahs, and tropical birds. The zoo specialises in small and unusual species and offers keeper talks throughout the day.

Woody Bay and the Woody Bay Station -- The restored Lynton and Barnstaple Railway runs heritage steam and diesel trains from Woody Bay Station, approximately 4 miles from Parracombe. A delightful ride through Exmoor countryside, with a small museum and tea room at the station.

Walks from the Doorstep

Heddon's Mouth from Hunter's Inn -- A classic Exmoor walk following the River Heddon through a spectacular National Trust valley to the sea. The path is well-maintained and mostly downhill to the rocky cove at Heddon's Mouth. Approximately 3 miles round trip. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours. Graded easy to moderate.

South West Coast Path through Martinhoe -- The coast path passes directly through Martinhoe, offering superb clifftop walking in both directions. Head east towards Woody Bay and Lynton, or west towards Heddon's Mouth and the Hunter's Inn. Dramatic sea views throughout, with the chance to visit the Roman fortlet along the way.

Woody Bay to Heddon's Mouth -- A magnificent coastal walk along the South West Coast Path, approximately 4 miles one way. The route passes through ancient oak woodland high above the sea, with stunning views across the Bristol Channel. Can be walked as a linear route with a car shuttle, or as a longer circular via the inland paths.

Holdstone Down -- A walk up to the summit of Holdstone Down from Parracombe or Trentishoe, with panoramic views over the Bristol Channel, Lundy Island, and the North Devon coast. The open moorland is home to Exmoor ponies and red deer. Allow 2 to 3 hours for the circular route.

Trentishoe Down and the Heddon Valley -- A longer circular walk taking in the high ground of Trentishoe Down before dropping into the Heddon Valley. Superb views from the ridge, with a mixture of moorland, woodland, and riverside walking. Approximately 6 miles. Allow 3 to 4 hours.

Valley of Rocks -- Approximately 5 miles from Parracombe. A dramatic walking circuit around the rock formations, with options to extend along the coast path in either direction. Feral goats are a regular sight among the crags.

Beaches

Heddon's Mouth -- The nearest beach, a dramatic rocky cove at the foot of the Heddon Valley, approximately 3 miles from Parracombe via the Hunter's Inn. A wild and unspoilt spot reached on foot -- not a bathing beach, but a stunning place to sit and watch the waves crash against the rocks.

Combe Martin -- Approximately 5 miles west of Parracombe. A sandy beach at low tide, sheltered by the surrounding hills, with rock pools to explore. Good for families. Shops and cafes nearby.

Lee Bay -- A small, sheltered rocky cove approximately 10 miles from Parracombe, near Ilfracombe. Popular with rock-poolers and snorkellers in calm conditions.

Woolacombe -- One of Devon's finest sandy beaches, approximately 15 miles from Parracombe. Three miles of golden sand backed by dunes, with excellent surfing, lifeguard patrols in summer, and all facilities. Well worth the drive for a beach day.

Porlock Bay -- Accessible via Lynmouth, approximately 12 miles east. A dramatic arc of pebbles backed by salt marshes, with wonderful views across to the Welsh coast.