Top 20 Natural Monuments around Exmoor

Exmoor's natural monuments offer a diverse range of features. You can explore dramatic coastal formations like the Valley of Rocks, a distinctive dry valley with jagged cliffs and weathered rock towers. There are also high moorland summits such as Dunkery Beacon Summit, offering panoramic views, and ancient river crossings like Tarr Steps clapper bridge set within a beautiful wooded valley. Additionally, Glen Lyn Gorge provides dramatic waterfalls and viewpoints.

Exmoor's natural monuments can be enjoyed year-round. For example, the circular walks around Tarr Steps clapper bridge are described as great in both autumnal rain and summer sun. Clear days are ideal for panoramic views from summits like Dunkery Beacon Summit and Selworthy Beacon, allowing you to see across the Bristol Channel to Wales.

Yes, several natural monuments in Exmoor are suitable for families. The Valley of Rocks is considered family-friendly, with easy access from a car park. Tarr Steps clapper bridge offers gentle walks down to the ancient bridge and is a popular spot for picnics. Glen Lyn Gorge also has family-friendly aspects, though some paths can be steep.

Yes, Exmoor is rich in history. Dunkery Beacon Summit features ancient Bronze Age burial mounds and a large stone cairn. Tarr Steps clapper bridge is a remarkable example of prehistoric engineering, believed to be medieval in origin and designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The Valley of Rocks also showcases geological history, with Devonian rocks up to 400 million years old and periglacial features from the last Ice Age.

Exmoor is known for its diverse wildlife. At the Valley of Rocks, you can often see a resident population of feral goats traversing the steep terrain. The wooded valley around Tarr Steps clapper bridge is worth exploring for its wildlife, and you might spot Exmoor ponies on the nearby heathland of Winsford Hill.

Exmoor offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can find numerous running trails, such as the 'Chains Barrow and Pinkery Pond loop' or 'Cow Castle loop from Simonsbath'. There are also easy hikes like the 'Barton Town loop from Challacombe' and options for gravel biking, including routes around the Valley of Rocks or Dunkery Beacon Summit. For more details on routes, explore the Running Trails around Exmoor, Easy hikes around Exmoor, and Gravel biking around Exmoor guides.

Yes, there are several easy walking options. For instance, you can take a gentle walk down to Tarr Steps clapper bridge from the on-site car park. The Valley of Rocks is also easily accessible with a car park in the middle. For more easy hiking ideas, check out the Easy hikes around Exmoor guide, which includes routes like the 'Barton Town loop from Challacombe'.

Circular walks are a great way to explore. Around Tarr Steps clapper bridge, there are well-marked circular routes that are enjoyable all year round. The South West Coast Path also offers extensive opportunities for circular walks, particularly around the dramatic Exmoor coastline and up to Selworthy Beacon.

Yes, some natural monuments have amenities nearby. For example, there is a pub at the start/finish of the circular walks around Tarr Steps clapper bridge. In Lynmouth, near Glen Lyn Gorge, you'll find plenty of cafes and pubs. Many spots, like Dunkery Beacon Summit and Tarr Steps, are also ideal for picnics.

Many areas in Exmoor National Park are dog-friendly. The walks around Tarr Steps clapper bridge are particularly enjoyed by dogs, especially with the pub nearby. When visiting natural monuments, it's always best to keep dogs under control, especially where livestock or wildlife (like the feral goats at Valley of Rocks) are present.

Exmoor's natural monuments showcase a rich geological history. The Valley of Rocks is a prime example, featuring Devonian rocks up to 400 million years old and periglacial features formed during the last Ice Age. The dramatic Exmoor coastline itself is characterized by rugged rock faces and towering cliffs, with Lynton slate beds being some of the oldest Devonian rocks in North Devon.

The views from Exmoor's natural monuments are often breathtaking and expansive. From Dunkery Beacon Summit, the highest point in Somerset, you can enjoy panoramic vistas across the Bristol Channel, Wales, Dartmoor, and the Quantock Hills on a clear day. Selworthy Beacon also offers magnificent views over the rolling countryside and out to sea. The Valley of Rocks provides stunning coastal views of the Bristol Channel.