Hillway Lodge, Withypool

In Withypool

The Royal Oak Inn -- A much-loved 18th-century Exmoor inn at the heart of the village, open from midday every day with food served all day until 8pm. The menu features hearty dishes made with local ingredients, and the bar serves Exmoor ales including their own Withy Wanger Ale, plus local ciders and an extensive gin and malt collection. Two bars with woodburners, beamed ceilings, and a beautifully decorated dining room seating up to 36. Dogs and children are welcome throughout. Sunday roasts are popular -- booking is recommended.

Withypool Tea Rooms -- A delightful tea room in the centre of the village, opposite the old village shop. Open daily from 9am to 4pm during the season (spring through to late autumn). Home-cooked light meals, homemade cakes, and traditional cream teas. A favourite stop for walkers tackling the Tarr Steps route or the Two Moors Way. Arrive before 11.30am on Sundays to be sure of a table.

Withypool Village Shop -- Right opposite the tea room, this charming shop and post office has a hand-painted turquoise sign and a red telephone box outside. Pick up everyday essentials, local Exmoor honey, handmade soaps, and gifts.

Nearby

Tarr Farm Inn -- A beautiful 17th-century inn right beside the famous Tarr Steps on the River Barle, approximately 15 minutes by car. Award-winning food using Exmoor lamb, Devon Red Ruby beef, Cornish seafood, and local game. Cream teas served throughout the day. Outdoor tables overlook the river. Booking recommended, especially at weekends.

The Crown Hotel, Exford -- A 17th-century family-run coaching inn in the village of Exford, approximately 4 miles away. A cosy country bar serving real ales and hearty home-cooked food, plus an award-winning restaurant for something special. Roaring log fires in winter and outside dining in summer. Dog-friendly throughout.

In Dulverton (approximately 7 miles)

Dulverton offers a wider choice of dining. Woods Bar and Restaurant is a much-loved establishment named the Good Pub Guide's National Wine Bar of the Year. The Bridge Inn is a popular country pub beside the medieval bridge over the River Barle, serving great ales and modern British food. There are also tea rooms, a Thai restaurant, and a fish and chip shop.

Tarr Steps -- One of Exmoor's most famous landmarks, an ancient clapper bridge spanning the River Barle approximately 5 miles south of Withypool. The bridge is 180 feet long with 17 massive stone slabs, some weighing over two tonnes. A Grade I listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument, surrounded by a National Nature Reserve of ancient oak woodland rich in wildlife including red deer, otters, and dormice. A spectacular walk along the River Barle from Withypool, or a short drive with a car park nearby.

Withypool Stone Circle -- A Bronze Age stone circle on the southwestern slope of Withypool Hill, approximately 1,250 feet above sea level. Originally comprising around 100 stones in a ring 36 metres across, around 27 stones survive today. One of only two prehistoric stone circles on Exmoor, and a Scheduled Ancient Monument since 1925. A rewarding walk from the village with fine moorland views.

Exmoor Ponies -- Withypool Hill and the surrounding moorland are home to herds of free-roaming Exmoor ponies, Britain's oldest native breed and classed as endangered by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Walk up from the village to spot them grazing on the open moor. Nearby Winsford Hill is home to the largest free-living herd, and the Exmoor Pony Centre near Dulverton offers the chance to meet ponies up close.

Red Deer Watching -- Exmoor is one of the best places in England to see wild red deer. The woodlands along the River Barle and the open moorland around Withypool offer excellent opportunities, particularly during the autumn rut when the stags can be heard roaring across the valleys.

Fishing -- The River Barle runs right through Withypool and offers excellent fly fishing for wild brown trout and salmon. Day permits are available locally. The river is a favourite among anglers for its beautiful setting and challenging fishing.

Dark Sky Stargazing -- Exmoor was designated Europe's first International Dark Sky Reserve. With almost no light pollution, the skies above Withypool are spectacular on clear nights. Look out for the Milky Way, shooting stars, and even the occasional northern lights.

Horse Riding -- Several riding stables in the area offer moorland treks across Exmoor, suitable for all abilities. An unforgettable way to experience the landscape, with rides crossing open heather moorland and through wooded valleys.

Dunster Castle -- A striking medieval castle set in beautiful subtropical gardens, managed by the National Trust. Approximately 25 minutes by car.

Dulverton -- A charming small town approximately 7 miles south, with over 40 independent shops, a National Park Visitor Centre, galleries, and riverside walks along the Barle.

Walks from the Doorstep

Withypool to Tarr Steps along the River Barle -- One of the finest walks on Exmoor. Follow the River Barle south through beautiful oak woodland to the ancient clapper bridge at Tarr Steps. Approximately 5 miles each way, or take the popular 8-mile circular route returning over Withypool Hill with superb moorland views throughout. Allow 4 to 5 hours for the full circuit. The riverside path passes through a National Nature Reserve -- watch for red deer, dippers, and otters.

Withypool Hill -- Walk up from the village to the open moorland of Withypool Hill, rising to over 1,300 feet. The hill is home to the Withypool Stone Circle, Bronze Age burial mounds known as the Brightworthy Barrows, and free-roaming Exmoor ponies. Panoramic views across central Exmoor. A shorter walk of 3 to 4 miles that can be combined with the Tarr Steps route.

Landacre Bridge -- A gentle walk north along the River Barle from Withypool to Landacre Bridge, a medieval packhorse bridge and Grade II* listed building in a picturesque moorland setting. Approximately 2 miles each way on easy terrain, with perfect picnic spots along the riverbanks.

Winsford Hill and The Punchbowl -- Open moorland walking approximately 4 miles south of Withypool, with panoramic views across Exmoor. The Punchbowl is a dramatic natural amphitheatre on the hillside. Home to the largest free-living herd of Exmoor ponies. The Three Wambarrows -- Bronze Age burial mounds -- crown the hilltop.

The Two Moors Way -- This long-distance trail linking Exmoor to Dartmoor passes through Withypool. Walk a section in either direction for a wonderful day out across the heart of the moor.

Dunkery Beacon -- The highest point on Exmoor at 519 metres, with panoramic views stretching to Dartmoor, the Brecon Beacons, and across the Bristol Channel to Wales. Several walking routes lead to the summit. Approximately 25 minutes by car to the nearest starting point.

Beaches

Porlock Bay -- A sweeping 3-mile pebble beach backed by marshland and salt marsh, wild and beautiful in all seasons. Approximately 13 miles from Withypool (around 30 minutes by car).

Minehead -- The nearest sandy beach, approximately 12 miles away (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 12 miles away.

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