Dog walking on Exmoor

[romulus]

(also posted in dogs) We are thinking of going to Exmoor next week for a couple of days with 2 well behaved Cocker Spaniels. Can anyone reccomend a dog friendly hotel preferably with king sized beds (for us not the dogs!) and also some walks that will let us experience the beauty of Exmoor though not to strenuous has my OH has a deskbound job and is not very fit! Also reccomendations of good places to eat would be welcome. Thanks.

 

[pip6]

You may be struggling to find some 'gentle' walks! I would suggest when you have your hotel drive to a parking place on a ridge line & (with map), walk a route along the ridge. Minimal incline & will get some good views (weather permitting).

 

[22786]

tarr steps has a lovely walk up the river (not too long or hard work). Also the doone valley (lorna doone). and places like horner have nice walks up the rivers. Bosington and dunster also have nice places to walk.

Enjoy!!

 

[Equinus]

Wouldn't recommend the place we stayed, but wherever we go and take the dogs, we do a local area search for dog friendly places to eat and print them all off to keep in the car. Then, wherever you end up you can check for somewhere. We found pubs were generally dog friendly and the food was locally sourced. Of course, if you can see your phone you can google on the hoof!

As for walking....just stop where you want to. Your accommodation will have leaflets with ideas. I have arthritis and I managed.

And Enjoy!

 

[spottyUnicorn]

If you can find some where in Exford its a good base with loads of lovely walks nearby. I've had good grub in The Crown and I think the White horse also has good food. Its got a garden running by the river so is nice for a pint (or cream tea) if the sun is out. Both also do B&B though not sure if dog friendly. Cheaper down to earth b&b also in town is Exmoor lodge stayed there myself and very friendly, judging by the riding boots in the lobby the owner rides! Few hunting folk staying there when we were there (had been out on hirelings on the sat) so obviously used to horsey people. Not sure if dog friendly or not.

I would get your self an OS Exmoor explorer map. I bought one 20 years ago and still using it so great investment. There are easy walks from Exford out along the river, some go up to higher ground, but nothing that challenging. I remember a good one started from the car park at the top of the village near the crown. Also great walks from nearby withypool, again along river and picking up Two moors way route. Good round walks from Simonsbath as well. If you have an OS map its easy to plan a route and take deviations when you want to (say if unfit OH needs to go no further than the next pub on route) The walks aren't that challenging even on higher ground so he really should be able to manage and there's such a lovely variation of moor, valley, woods, rivers, so always some where to walk even if the weather is pants.

Check out the national trust website - they might have PDFs of walks in this area.

Also
http://www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walks/walks/walk_list/Exmoor/

and
http://www.whatsonexmoor.co.uk/exmoor_walking.htm

This has links to other walking sites as well.

I think most of the best walks we have done are ones we have just figured out using the OS map.

If you fancy something more costal Lynton is a good base loads of B&B's there but the eating out isn't so good. Great for the south west coast path and also lovely walk up to watersmeet and beyond up the river - though the lower parts can get busy with lots of people on a nice day, so if you prefer to be away from the crowds I would go inland.

Exmoor is such a beautiful place - enjoy!