








One of the most beautiful parts of Exmoor is the Holnicote Estate, which is owned by the National Trust and encompasses fine heather moorland, five miles of wild and dramatic Atlanctic coastline, 170 farms and cottages and a glorious patch of ancient woodland around Horner.
You might, if you’re lucky, come across a few examples of the region’s wildlife on your wanderings. The Exmoor pony is the nearest breed we have to the original wild horses of Europe, while red deer, the largest wild animals in England, have lived on Exmoor since prehistoric times. Buzzards often soar overhead.
Unlike some National Parks, Exmoor never gets too crowded with walkers, and in the quieter areas you could well walk all day without seeing a soul.
For more information on Exmoor and West Somerset, including special events and travel facilities, try www.visitsomerset.co.uk
But Wheddon Cross is not only ideally situated for exploring
Exmoor: The Brendon Hills, which have been described as the bridge
between Exmoor proper and the Quantocks, deserve to be better known
than they are. This area of gently rolling countryside, stretching from
near Bishops Lydeard in the east to Wheddon Cross in the west, falls within
the Exmoor National Park boundary and, like Exmoor itself, provides great
walking and touring country.
These days the Brendon Hills are a haven of peace and quiet,
but in former times it was a different story. From the mid-nineteenth century
to about 1920 the hills were home to numerous iron ore mines, which provided
the raw materials for the smelters in Wales. A special railway was constructed
to transport the ore down the steep incline (shown right) from the top of the
Brendons down to port of Watchet, from where it was taken across the Bristol
Channel to be smelted in Wales. Today there is little evidence of this past
activity, just the remains of a single mine near Raleghs Cross and the overgrown
remants of The Incline railway, which reached its summit near the Brendon
Hill Methodist Church. What you will find is a network of waymarked footpaths
which allow you to explore this often overlooked area, with its terrific views
across the Bristol Channel (the hills rise to over 1200 feet) and unspoilt,
resolutely untouristy villages such as Luxborough and Monksilver. Take
any of the side turnings off the main ridge road (the B3224) and you will soon
find yourself in narrow country lanes that are largely traffic-free (though
you might well encounter, as we have, the odd pheasant or six).
Exmoor House • Wheddon Cross •
Exmoor National Park • Somerset TA24
7DU
tel (01643) 841432 • e-mail: info@exmoorhouse.com
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