Celebrate Exmoor's 70th with scenic walks

This is a good year to visit Exmoor as Exmoor National Park is celebrating its 70th Anniversary.

The National Trust is hosting a weekend of guided walks on Saturday  and Sunday, September 14 and 15, around the lovely Lorna Doone Valley and the surrounding area of Exmoor.

These are good chances to see Exmoor at its best with wide ranging views on a clear day. The walks will vary in difficulty and length, taking in different aspects of this varied landscape.

September is a great walking month and North Devon Ramblers will be leading three of these walks. All the walks start from the Lorna Doone Valley Car Park at Malmsmead.

On Saturday, September 14 Maggi and Barbara will be leading a walk around RD Blackmore Country.

Maggi tells us: “The little valley of Badgworthy Water has been associated with the novel Lorna Doone by RD Blackmore since 1869 when it was first published. Best described as the Poldark of its day, this romantic tale of good and evil has attracted tourists to this remote Exmoor Valley for many years. Our walk will take in Oare Church where Lorna was to be married to John Ridd and was shot by the wicked Carver Doone while standing at the altar. We will go over the hill to the now peaceful Badgworthy Water and visit the monument to RD Blackmore. A quiet ramble along the river will take us past the treacherous Waterslide to the medieval village, said to be the site of the lair of the evil Doones and their acolytes. We will then go out onto open moorland and enjoy fabulous far-reaching views of Exmoor and across the Bristol Channel to Wales.

“Of course, Lorna Doone is a work of fiction (or is it?) but this little corner of Exmoor has much to excite us with contrast between the green and peaceful valley setting and the wild open moors. There is plenty of wildlife to see and we may be lucky enough to see a herd of red deer. At this time of year there are still wild flowers around as well as the autumn colours of the leaves and berries.

“The walk will be taken at a leisurely pace to give us time to enjoy the surroundings. Dogs are welcome on leads. Be aware that the weather on Exmoor can be unpredictable and wear appropriate clothing and bring a picnic lunch and plenty to drink.”
On Sunday, September 15 North Devon Ramblers are giving people a choice of two walks. I will be leading a 9.5 mile walk starting at 10am which will not be walked at a fast speed so that we can enjoy the wide ranging views, or you can join Gemma’s five-mile walk leaving at 10.30 am.

Gemma writes: “The walk I will be leading for the Lorna Doone walking festival will be a shorter option and will be walked at a very gentle pace though there are some hills.

“If you are thinking of coming along and you aren’t quite sure if you can manage the distance, please do take the risk and give it a go! The views will be beautiful at this time of year with bright purple heather blanketing the first climb up to County Gate. Rounding the coast path to Sugar Loaf Hill, we will get an amazing view out to sea, especially if the weather is fine.
“We will descend through to the quaint village of Oare with its medieval church and back alongside the Oare Water to reach the scenic bridge at Malmsmead and a well-deserved coffee and cake in the Buttery Tea Rooms. I look forward to exploring the Doone Valley with you!”

Are you up for the longer challenge?

This will take you out along the Coleridge Way which is a 51-mile long-distance trail which links several sites associated with the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. We will walk beside Oare Water, before climbing up Deddy Combe, from where we can look down on the famous Oare Church of Lorna Doone legend.

Crossing open moorland, there should be extensive views across Exmoor and to South Wales across the Bristol Channel. Dropping down to Robber’s Bridge which at one time was in the heart of bandit country, the walk takes us along the idyllic valley of Weir Water where we will have lunch at ‘Joan’s Gate’. This was erected in memory of the long- standing Chair of North Devon Ramblers, Joan Long.

Before the second steep climb, when we reach Oareford, there is the option to walk independently straight back down the road to Malmsmead, stopping at Oare Church on the way.

The longer route back takes us onto open moorland again to Stowey Allotment and Oare Common from where we can look back on the morning’s route and marvel at our achievements. There are also views down to Badgworthy Water which we will return along to the Buttery Tea Rooms after our descent to Cloud Farm.

With so much to see in this lovely area why not make it a walking weekend and try out some of the many walks on offer?
This year Exmoor National Park will be 70 years old. This very special 40,000 acres of open moorlands and 17,000 acres of woodlands was designated U.K.’s 8th national park on  October 19, 1954.

Exmoor is named after the river Exe; its source, Exe Head, lies just north-west of Simonsbath. Once a royal hunting ground, The Royal Forest is thought to have originated in the Saxon period, the lands legally reserved as hunting grounds for the king. Exmoor is rich in history, settlements, standing stones, bridges, barrows, cairns and castles provide evidence of human occupation going back as far as the Mesolithic period.

Exmoor is still home to the largest herds of red deer in the country and also the home of the iconic Exmoor Pony which is the oldest native pony breed in Britain. Exmoor Day is planned for  October 19 and Exmoor National Park are planning various activities which are available on their website to celebrate the park and its beautiful and inspiring landscape.

Exmoor is one of North Devon Ramblers’ favourite walking areas. On Sunday, October 20 we are celebrating Exmoor National Park’s 70th birthday by walking from Exford to Alderman’s Barrow along footpaths, ancient tracks and moorland returning to Exford which will be led by Richard and Anne. It features the wide-open scenery of Exmoor and there might be the opportunity to see deer.

More details about these walks and our other regular walks can be found on our website at the address https://www.northdevonramblers.org.uk

Do remember to bring your own food and drink and wear suitable clothing and footwear for walking on the moor.

The weather can be very changeable at times.