Exmoor has provided inspiration for writers and artists over the centuries. R.D. Blackmore was inspired to write his famous novel Lorna Doone. the setting has become known as "Doone Country", the centre of which is the village of Oare, off the A39. Samual Taylor Coleridge also lived in Somerset and wrote his famous poems "Kubla Khan" and "The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner" here in Exmoor.
Close to the village of Withypool is one of Exmoor's very few stone circles, comprising about 40 short stones. To the south of the village you can visit the ancient Tarr Steps, a bridge made of stone slabs, which cross the River Barle. This is one of the prettiest attractions in Exmoor.
Further inland are the pretty villages of Winsford, Exford and Simonsbath, and the historic market town of Dulverton. There are a great many traditional thatched cottages in this area, made all the more picturesque by the beautiful Exmoor scenary.
Dunkery Beacon is the highest point on Exmoor National Park. The summit is crowned with a huge cairn, a trig point and a toposcope pointing out details of the view. On a good day this takes in the Mendips to the north-east, the Brecon Beaacons to the north, and Dartmoor and Bodmin to the south, as well as the Brendon and Quantiock Hills, the sea and the superb local scenary.
Take a walk around Wimbleball Lake, Exmoor's largest inland water, or try out one of the many watersports available here or hire a rowing boat or enjoy a quiet spot of fishing.
One of the main attractions in Exmoor is the wonderfully diverse wildlife. Apart from the famous Exmoor ponies, look out for red deer, and bats and badgers as dusk arrives. There are more than 80 resident species of birds and many more visiting birds and passing migrants. In the spring walk through woodland glades carpeted in bluebells. in the summer the moors are sea of purple heather. the red and gold shades of the woodlands in autumn are equally stunning.
