ExmoorEdit

Exmoor is a national park in the southwest of England, straddling the counties of Somerset and Devon. Created in 1954, it covers roughly 267 square miles (693 square kilometers) of upland moor, deep river valleys, farmland, and a rugged coastline along the Bristol Channel. The landscape is defined by heather and grasses on wind-swept plateaus, tucked hollows and woodlands, and a coastline that ranges from sheer cliffs to sheltered coves. Its highest point is Dunkery Beacon at about 519 meters (1,703 feet), and the area hosts a long-running tradition of rural livelihoods that blend farming, forestry, and tourism with the rights of access and heritage stewardship. Dunkery Beacon Exmoor National Park Porlock Hill

Exmoor’s physical character is a product of geology and climate. The plateau is cut by steep gorges and river valleys such as those carved by the Barle and the Exe, creating a landscape of contrasts: exposed uplands on the windward side and wooded slopes or sheltered valleys on the leeward side. The coast along the Bristol Channel features dramatic headlands, sheltered bays, and a string of seaside villages that draw visitors for both scenery and outdoor recreation. The park’s combination of moorland, woodland, and coastline supports a distinctive ecology and a long history of land use by local communities. River Barle Exmoor National Park Authority

Geography and landscape aside, Exmoor preserves a living culture of rural life and land management. The moorland has long been shaped by common rights and traditional farming practices, which have persisted even as formal protections were put in place. Today, landowners, tenant farmers, and commoners work with the park authority to balance biodiversity and habitat restoration with agricultural viability and access for walkers, fallers, and climbers. The Harp and Doone valleys, for example, are steeped in literary and folkloric associations that continue to attract visitors. Common land Lorna Doone Doone Valley

Biodiversity and ecology are central to Exmoor’s identity. The moorland is an important habitat for heather, bilberry, and peat-forming bogs, while oak and other broadleaf woodlands provide shelter for a range of birdlife and small mammals. Native red deer roam the park, and there are locally bred Exmoor ponies that symbolize the area’s historic relationship with livestock and landscape management. The combination of peatland, open heath, and woodland supports a mosaic of ecosystems, and ongoing conservation work aims to maintain these habitats while allowing sustainable use by local communities and visitors. Exmoor pony Red deer Peat bog Heather (plant) Biodiversity Conservation in the United Kingdom

Human history in Exmoor stretches back centuries, with settlements clustered in the valleys and along the coast. The park today embodies a model of countryside stewardship where agricultural activity, forestry, and public access intersect with conservation goals. The interplay of these forces has sometimes sparked disagreement, as different stakeholders weigh the value of traditional grazing, deer management, and habitat restoration against modern regulatory frameworks and tourism development. South West Coast Path Exmoor National Park Authority Grazing]]

Economy and culture in Exmoor reflect a mix of rural enterprise and heritage tourism. The area draws visitors for hiking, cycling, wildlife watching, and historic sites, while farm businesses produce meat, dairy, and fiber products. Tourism provides a critical economic base for many local communities, but it is balanced against the need to protect fragile habitats and water quality in streams and wetlands. The literary and popular imagination—exemplified by the Lorna Doone story and associated landscapes—adds cultural value that complements outdoor recreation and rural business. South West Coast Path Lorna Doone Exmoor National Park Authority

Governance and conservation in Exmoor are anchored by the Exmoor National Park Authority, which coordinates planning, conservation, and public access within the park boundaries. National park status is designed to protect the landscape while supporting sustainable livelihoods, but it also generates ongoing debates about the level and pace of regulation, land use rights, and the balance between conservation and development. Key legal and policy frameworks, such as the Countryside and Rights of Way Act, inform access and land management, while ongoing collaboration among landowners, communities, and the authority shapes practical outcomes on the ground. Exmoor National Park Authority Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 Public access]]

Contemporary debates on Exmoor center on balancing conservation with local livelihoods and aspirations. Proponents emphasize the long-term value of intact moorland and peatlands for biodiversity, water quality, climate resilience, and tourism. Critics – including some rural landowners and local businesses – stress the importance of maintaining land-use flexibility and avoiding excessive central regulation that can constrain farming, forestry, and private investment. The public conversation around deer management, habitat restoration, and access rights reflects broader tensions in rural England between preservation and productive use of land. In all discussions, the goal is to preserve Exmoor’s distinctive landscape and cultural heritage while sustaining the communities that rely on it. Red deer Habitat restoration Country life Common land

Beasts, legends, and folklore have also figured in Exmoor’s modern history. The 1980s sightings of a large predator, popularly called the Beast of Exmoor, sparked debates about wildlife introductions and monitoring of native fauna, and they remain part of the area’s mystique for visitors and locals alike. While the case raised questions about wildlife behavior and interpretation, it sits alongside the park’s other narratives, including literary associations and the Doone Valley’s starring role in regional storytelling. Beast of Exmoor Lorna Doone

See also - Exmoor National Park - Dunkery Beacon - Lorna Doone - Beast of Exmoor - Exmoor pony - Porlock - Lynmouth - South West Coast Path - Red deer