GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT NORTH DEVON

North Devon district encompasses the coast from Barnstaple to Combe Martin, and the area inland to South Molton. The west coast is flat at Barnstaple and Braunton, alongside the estuary, and there are miles of sandy beaches and high dunes at Braunton Burrows, a UNESCO Biosphere. The sandy beaches at Woolacombe have some of the best surfing in the UK. To the west the hills rise up, reaching 480 metres above sea level in Challacombe, and the north coast is characterised by cliff top walks and rocky and sandy coves, the largest at Lee and Hele Bay near Ilfracombe, and at  Combe Martin. The administrative and district centre is Barnstaple and the main towns are South Molton and Ilfracombe.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT EXMOOR

Exmoor National Park covers part of North Devon and a larger part of Somerset. The north coast is characterised by high cliffs (which include the highest cliffs in England at Culbone Hill, over 300 metres) and the sea is occasionally accessed via steep sided valleys, for example at Heddon's Mouth, Woody Bay and Lynmouth which was once known as Little Switzerland because of the houses dotted around the steep wooded hillsides. There are impressive river erosion features nearby: the deep gorge at Watersmeet along the river Lyn; and the Valley of Rocks, where the river used to flow into the sea over a giant waterfall. Historic villages include Porlock Weir, an ancient fishing village and Dunster, where there is a castle and an amazing C16th market. The highest point on Exmoor is Dunkery Beacon at 519 metres above sea level. The administrative and district centre of Exmoor National Park is Dulverton and the main towns are Porlock, Dunster and the twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth.

PRINCIPAL ATTRACTIONS

The main attractions of Exmoor and North Devon are the temperate weather and spectacular countryside, which varies from wide sandy beaches in the west, to tall cliffs and secret coves in the north; and from small medieval field strips cultivated for over 1000 years, to open moorland occupied only by the ghosts of the Bronze Age. The land use is principally rural, but there are many historic places to visit, and lots of visitor attractions for children and adults. Challacombe is an ideal central location from which to explore Exmoor and the coastline of North Devon and Somerset and all of the attractions below (unless prefixed with *) are within 15 miles of Challacombe.