16 of the Best Picnic Spots in Exmoor & The Quantocks Includes: • Written directions • OS Grid refs • Long/Lat refs
Compiled and written by Bryan Cath North Devon & Exmoor Walking Festival Co-ordinator
Picnic Spots on Exmoor and the Quantock Hills Here are some suggestions for enjoying a picnic on Exmoor or the Quantock Hills. They are roughly in an order from east to west, can all be driven to and are mainly based on free or honesty box car parks. The locations all offer grassy areas, some with picnic tables or with additional facilities such as a pub, restaurant or cafe, and some with toilets. Some have excellent views or are beside rivers and all give a good chance of seeing wildlife close-to-hand.
1, Crowcombe Park Gate, Quantock Hills
Free
Location: Go to the A358 between Williton and Taunton. Take the road to Crowcombe village. In the centre of the village turn towards Nether Stowey on a road unsuitable for HGV’s and follow this small road up the steep hill to reach open ground. Park anywhere along here. OS Grif ref: ST150377 Long/Lat: 51.1333; -3.2159 Description: This road has grassy areas all around offering ideal picnic spots with good views of the local combes and countryside.
2, Staple Plain, Quantock Hills
Free
Location: Go to the A39 between Minehead and Bridgwater. Go to West Quantoxhead (St Audries) on the Bridgwater side of Williton. Coming from the Williton direction, pass the 30mph sign and at the oblique cross-roads by the town sign, turn right along a small lane, Staple Lane. At the next cross-roads cross straight over into Hill Lane which becomes a track. Follow it alongside the woods on your right to the car park. Park here. OS Grid ref: ST116410 Long/Lat: 51.1620; -3.2643 Description: The Quantocks offers some excellent picnicking sites. There are picnic tables available here or you can take some of the tracks going over the hills to find your own picnic spot offering views over the Bristol Channel or across Somerset.
3, Nutcombe Bottom, near Dunster Location: Go to the A396 between Wheddon Cross and Dunster. From Dunster direction go towards Wheddon Cross leaving the village behind. After about 0.8 miles from Dunster village centre, take the small road on the left towards Luxborough and Nutcombe Bottom. After a further 0.6 miles the Nutcombe Bottom car park is on the left in a valley of trees. Park here.
P&D
OS Grid ref: SS977422 Long/Lat: 51.1689; -3.4658 Description: This car park is part of the Crown Estate where you will find picnic and play areas with plenty of walks leading from this car park. There is an easy walk to the Tall Trees Trail where you will find the tallest tree in the British Isles.
4, Webbers Post, near Porlock
Free
Location: Go to the A39 between Porlock and Minehead. From Porlock direction, go round the sharp bend by the turning off to Allerford and shortly turn right by Piles Mill. Follow this small road for 1.5 miles to a small cross-roads. Go straight over and up the steep hill until the road forks. Take the right fork and then turn right into the large car park. Park here. OS Grid ref: SS902438 Long/Lat: 51.1838; -3.5713 Description: This car park gives excellent views over Exmoor, the nearby Horner Water valley and Dunkery Beacon. There is an easy-access path from here with chainsaw sculptures along it with seats to enjoy the scenery and your picnic.
5, Dunkery Gate, near Wheddon Cross
Free
Location: Go to the B3224, Wheddon Cross to Exford road. From Wheddon Cross go towards Exford for about 0.7 miles to a sweeping left-hand bend. On this bend take the road ahead/right to Dunkery Beacon. Follow this road for 1.6 miles to reach a cattle grid and small bridge. Park here. OS Grid ref: SS895406 Long/Lat: 51.1541; -3.5802 Description: This attractive little spot gives some grassy areas ideal for a secluded picnic, with Dunkery Beacon just above you. If the weather is suitable you could continue along this road to its highest point where you will find a lay-by with wide views over Porlock Vale and over to Wales.
6, Winsford Hill, between Dulverton and Exford Location: Go to the B3223 between Exford and Dulverton. From the Exford direction, take the B3224 towards Simonsbath where it junctions with the B3223 above Exford. Follow the B3223 for about 3 miles to cross a cattle grid on to Winsford Hill. From Dulverton, follow the B3223 away from the High Street for about 4 miles, beside the river and then climbing through woods to reach the second cattle grid on to Winsford Hill.
Free
OS Grid ref: SS876341 Long/Lat: 51.0939;-3.5964 (General area) Description: Once on Winsford Hill, you will find a wonderful selection of small lay-bys and larger areas of grassland to enjoy views over the moor and see plenty of Exmoor ponies.
7, Tarr Steps, near Dulverton
P&D
Location: Go to the B3223 between Exford and Dulverton. From the Exford direction, take the B3224 towards Simonsbath where it junctions with the B3223 above Exford. Follow the B3223 for 5.7 miles to turn right signed to Tarr Steps. Follow this small road to Liscombe bearing left to Tarr Steps to reach the Tarr Steps pay and display car park. Park here. From Dulverton, follow the B3223 away from the High Street for 4 miles, beside the river and then climbing through woods to reach the turning to Tarr Steps soon after the second cattle grid on the left. Then follow the directions above. OS Grid ref: SS867321 Long/Lat: 51.0794; -3.6109 Description: From the car park go to the lower exit to the car park and follow the permissive path down to Tarr Steps. At Tarr Steps you will find plenty of grassland beside the river perfect for a picnic as well as Tarr Farm that offers a good selection of food in beautiful surroundings. Toilet block.
8, Porlock Hill, near Porlock
Free
Location: Porlock Hill has various small lay-bys and larger car parks along the A39 above Porlock, going towards Lynmouth. Between 2 and 2.5 miles from Porlock village will bring you to this delightful area. Park in any of these roadside laybys or in the larger car parks. OS Grid ref: SS856463 Long/Lat: 51.2045; -3.6388 Description: Depending on where you choose to park you will enjoy views over Porlock Vale and across to Wales or inland across the moor. There are plenty of Exmoor pony grazed grassland perfect for picnic spots and maybe meeting the ponies.
9, Landacre Bridge, near Withypool Location: Go to the B3223 between Exford and Dulverton. From the Exford direction, take the B3224 towards Simonsbath where it junctions with the B3223 above Exford. Follow the B3223 for about 0.9 miles to the first cross-roads. Turn right here towards Landacre and follow this road for 2.4 miles to reach Landacre Bridge over the
Free
River Barle. Park here. OS Grid ref: SS816361 Long/Lat: 51.1120; -3.6923 Description: From the bridge there are perfect picnic spots along the river banks, kept cropped beautifully by the Exmoor ponies and sheep. You can also go slightly further along this road for small lay-bys and tracks offering similar picnic spots.
10, Robbers Bridge, near Doone Valley
Free
Location: Go to the A39 between Lynmouth and Porlock. From Lynmouth drive 8 miles going up Countisbury Hill, past County Gate. 8 miles from Lynmouth is Oare Post, or 3.5 miles from Porlock. Turn hard back right from Lynmouth, or bear left from Porlock, and follow this small road down as it zigzags through stunted oak trees to reach the car park on the right by the road. Park here. OS Grid ref: SS821464 Long/Lat: 51.2052; -3.6883 Description: From this car park walk towards the old bridge at the far end of this car park. Cross over the bridge and there is grassland suitable for picnics beside the river here. There is also an easy-access path running alongside Weir Water which also gives opportunities for picnics away from the car park into the moorland.
11, County Gate, between Lynmouth and Porlock Location: Go to the A39 between Lynmouth and Porlock. County Gate car park is on the county boundary between Devon and Somerset, about 5 miles from Lynmouth and 6.5 miles from Porlock.
Free
OS Grid ref: SS793486 Long/Lat: 51.2241; -3.7295 Description: This car park is free and has a toilet block and information centre. It enjoys stunning views over the Doone Valley and over the upper East Lyn valley towards Brendon village. There are paths running away from this car park which offer opportunities for picnic spots with beautiful views. Toilet block.
12, Doone Valley, near Lynmouth Location: Go to the A39 between Lynmouth and Porlock. Just on the Porlock side of County Gate (see County Gate picnic spot) is a turning towards Malmsmead and Oare church. Follow this small road down to the church and keep on it as it bears right towards Malmsmead. On reaching Malmsmead either cross the ford beside the pack horse bridge, or cross over the bridge which is
Honesty
quite narrow. Go around the other side of the buildings ahead and park in the car park. OS Grid ref: SS791477 Long/Lat: 51.2167; -3.7314 Description: This car park has an honesty box and picnic areas beside the car park. There is also a path going alongside the river along the Doone Valley, which offers numerous opportunities for picnic spots by the river. Cloud Farm is along here and offers refreshments as well. Toilet block.
13, Countisbury, near Lynmouth
Free
Location: The free car park I am suggesting is called Barna Barrow car park. This is on the A39 above Lynmouth towards Porlock. Coming from Lynmouth pass through Countisbury and the Blue Ball Inn continuing uphill to cross a cattle grid. Turn immediately into the car park on the left and park here. OS Grid ref: SS752486 Long/Lat: 51.2324; -3.7879 Description: This car park offers various paths towards Foreland Point where you can find grassy places with great sea views to enjoy a picnic. There are occasional seats overlooking Lynmouth which might suit.
14, Watersmeet, near Lynmouth
P&D
Location: Watersmeet is 1.7 miles above Lynmouth on the A39 towards Barnstaple. There is a roadside pay and display car park. Park here. OS Grid ref: SS744486 Long/Lat: 51.2239; -3.8006 Description: From Watersmeet car park take the path opposite it down to Watersmeet, where the east Lyn River and Hoar Oak Water meet in a deep oak-wooded valley. You will also find here the National Trust fishing lodge which offers superb food with lots of tables to sit out and watch the river with dippers and herons. There are also numerous footpaths where you might find a more rugged location for a picnic beside the river. Toilet block.
15, Combe Park, near Lynmouth Location: Just above Watersmeet, still on the A39, 2.4 miles from Lynmouth is Combe Park. Follow the A39 past Watersmeet to reach a hairpin bend to the right. Turn left here towards Simonsbath, but do not cross the bridge immediately ahead but turn immediately right and then right again into the National Trust car park with two splendid copper beech trees and
Honesty
an honesty box. Park here. OS Grid ref: SS739477 Long/Lat: 51.2147; -3.8057 Description: Beside this car park is the Hoar Oak Water and some grassland which is perfect for a peaceful picnic with picnic tables under the tall trees. There are footpaths down to Watersmeet or up on to the moor from here.
16, Lee Bay, near Lynton
Free
Location: Go to the A39 between Lynmouth and Blackmoor Gate (the junction with the A399 and A39). At Barbrook take the turning opposite the fuel station, the B3234 towards Lynmouth and Lynton. In 0.6 miles bear off to the left towards Lynton. Follow this road for another 0.9 miles through all the bends until your reach a T-junction. Turn left here towards the Valley of Rocks. Keep on this road through the valley to pass the roundabout after a further 0.8 miles, continuing ahead to pass the entrance to Lee Abbey after another 0.8 miles. Keep on this road to reach the toll house at the bottom of the hill. Turn hard right here into the car park. Park here. OS Grid ref: SS694491 Long/Lat: 51.2266; -3.8703 Description: This free car park offers picnic benches and plenty of open grassland with the backdrop of Lee Abbey and the beach below you, sandy at low tide. Toilet block.
Guide to Symbols
Good views
Cafe nearby
Wildlife nearby
Restaurant or pub nearby
Woodland setting
Walks nearby
Toilets nearby
Easy access to a beach
Parking; Free, Honesty or P&D
Picnic tables available
And finally... Most of Exmoor is privately owned. Please remember to take your litter away with you, do not light any fires, keep your dogs under control and do not camp on Exmoor except on designated sites. Enjoy your picnics. For information on the North Devon and Exmoor Walking Festival please visit www.exmoorwalkingfestival.co.uk For downloadable guided walk leaflets around North Devon and Exmoor visit www.combewalks.com
Published and written by Combe Walks
Copyright Š Bryan Cath, 2012
www.combewalks.com
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