Ball Cottage, Winsford

In Winsford

The Royal Oak Inn -- A beautiful thatched 12th-century country inn at the heart of the village, featured in the Michelin Guide and the Good Food Guide. The kitchen uses the best locally sourced ingredients, making everything in-house including breads, sauces, desserts, and ice creams. Expect wood-fired pizzas, home-made pies, Exmoor venison, and Devon Ruby Red beef, alongside local ales such as Exmoor Ale and Otter Amber. Food is served five evenings a week plus Friday to Sunday lunchtimes. Dogs welcome throughout.

Nearby

Tarr Farm Inn -- A lovely 17th-century inn beside the famous Tarr Steps, approximately 3.5 miles from Winsford. Refined pub food with a modern twist using local produce -- Exmoor lamb, Devon beef, Cornish seafood, and game all feature. Cream teas served throughout the day. A relaxed restaurant with outdoor tables overlooking the river. Booking recommended.

The Royal Oak, Withypool -- A charming 18th-century village pub approximately 4 miles away, serving good food and local ales in the heart of the moor.

Rest and Be Thankful Inn, Wheddon Cross -- A 19th-century coaching inn approximately 4 miles from Winsford, offering hearty pub food and accommodation at the crossroads of Exmoor.

Masons Arms, Knowstone -- A Michelin-starred pub and restaurant approximately 14 miles south of Winsford. Well worth planning a trip for a special meal.

In Dulverton (approximately 7 miles)

Dulverton offers a wider choice of dining, including several pubs, cafes, and independent restaurants. The town is a pleasant drive through the Exe valley and makes a good lunch outing.

Explore the village -- Winsford is an ancient moorland village with eight bridges, a cobbled ford, thatched cottages, and a tall Exmoor church. It was designated a conservation area in 2023. Take time to wander the lanes and cross the medieval packhorse bridge over the River Exe.

Winsford Hill and The Punchbowl -- Walk up from the village to Winsford Hill for spectacular moorland views. The Punchbowl is a dramatic natural amphitheatre on the hillside -- thought to be the site of the only glacier in southwest England during the ice ages. The Anchor herd of wild Exmoor ponies roams freely here.

The Caratacus Stone -- A scheduled ancient monument near the top of Halse Lane on Winsford Hill. This inscribed stone dates from the 6th century and bears a Latin dedication to a descendant of the 1st-century British chieftain Caratacus.

Wambarrows -- Three Bronze Age burial mounds crowning the top of Winsford Hill, approximately 3,500 years old. Local legend says they contain a treasure guarded by a great black hound.

Tarr Steps -- An ancient clapper bridge across the River Barle, approximately 3.5 miles from Winsford. Built from 17 massive stone slabs, it is one of the oldest bridges in Britain and a beautiful spot for a riverside walk and picnic.

Dunkery Beacon -- The highest point on Exmoor at 519 metres. A straightforward walk to the summit rewards you with views stretching to Dartmoor, the Brecon Beacons, and across the Bristol Channel to Wales. Approximately 8 miles by car via Wheddon Cross.

Stargazing -- Exmoor was designated Europe's first International Dark Sky Reserve. With very low light pollution, Winsford Hill is one of the finest places in England to see the night sky.

Exmoor ponies -- The Exmoor Pony Centre in nearby Exford (approximately 5 miles) offers the chance to meet these rare native ponies up close. Wild Exmoor ponies also graze freely on Winsford Hill and around the Punchbowl.

Dulverton -- The southern gateway to Exmoor, approximately 7 miles away. Browse independent shops, visit the National Park Visitor Centre, and enjoy the riverside walks along the Barle.

Fishing -- Winsford sits on the River Exe, which offers salmon and trout fishing. The nearby rivers Barle and Haddeo also provide excellent fly fishing.

Walks from the Doorstep

Winsford Hill Circular -- A rewarding walk from the village climbing up to Winsford Hill, taking in The Punchbowl, the Wambarrows, and the Caratacus Stone before returning through fields and along ancient tracks. Approximately 8 miles with spectacular moorland views throughout. Wild Exmoor ponies are frequently seen along the way.

Tarr Steps and the River Barle -- A beautiful walk from Winsford to the ancient clapper bridge at Tarr Steps, following riverside paths through woodland along the Barle valley. Approximately 3.5 miles each way, with the option to extend further upstream.

The Two Moors Way -- This long-distance trail linking Exmoor to Dartmoor passes through the Winsford area. The section between Tarr Steps and Simonsbath is a particularly fine day walk through the heart of the moor.

Dunkery Beacon -- A short but rewarding walk to the summit of Exmoor's highest point. The path from the car park at Dunkery Gate is well-marked and not particularly demanding. On clear days the panoramic views are exceptional -- Dartmoor to the south, the Brecon Beacons to the north, and the coast stretching in both directions.

Horner Woods -- A National Nature Reserve with beautiful riverside walking through one of the finest ancient oak woodlands in Britain. A top spot for autumn colour and wild red deer. Approximately 8 miles by car.

Wimbleball Lake -- A scenic reservoir on the southeastern edge of the National Park, offering lakeside walking and cycling trails. Approximately 10 miles by car.

Beaches

Minehead -- The nearest sandy beach, approximately 12 miles from Winsford (around 25 minutes by car). A wide expanse of sand at low tide, ideal for families. Also the starting point of the South West Coast Path.

Dunster Beach -- A quieter sand and shingle beach near the historic village of Dunster, approximately 10 miles away.

Blue Anchor Bay -- A long sandy beach with interesting fossil-bearing rocks, approximately 12 miles away. Free roadside parking.

North Devon beaches -- The golden sand beaches at Woolacombe, Croyde, and Saunton Sands are within reach for a day trip, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes by car.