Somerset and Exmoor

At 35 miles long, the section of the South West Coast Path here makes up just over 5% of the entire National Trail. It runs from the Path’s start point at Minehead to Combe Martin in North Devon and has long been praised as one of the main reasons Exmoor was dedicated a National Park in 1954.

When it comes to talking about the Exmoor coast, it really is a story of superlatives. In England and Wales, it holds titles for; the highest coastline, soaring to a heady 433m (1,421 ft) at Culbone Hill, the highest sea cliff with Great Hangman peaking at 244m (800ft) and the longest stretch of coastal woodland between The Foreland and Porlock. Finally, and admittedly this final stat is not unrivalled, the Exmoor coast is home to one of the highest tidal ranges in the world, second only to Fundy Bay in Eastern Canada. Here, the rise and fall of the tides can be as much as 15m (48ft).

Valley of the Rocks by Greg Jeanneau

On the western side of Porlock Bay, near Porlock Weir, there is a much-reduced submarine forest visible at low tide. The fossilised wooden stumps mark the edge of an ancient forest dating back some 6,000 years. Over time the trees have been petrified, meaning they have turned to stone, taking an almost identical form to when they were alive. The reason we say the submarine forest is ‘much reduced’ is due to a severe storm that took place in 1996. Fuelled by Hurricane Lillie and made worse by an unusually high tide, the storm broke through Porlock’s shingle ridge and destroyed much of the tree remains. The storm also dredged up the fossilised bones of the famous Porlock Aurochs, a large ox estimated to have walked these shores around 3,500 years ago.

Whilst walking the Exmoor coast, don’t miss…

The monument on the promenade in Minehead, which marks the beginning of the 630-mile Path. The impressive bronze monument, forming enormous hands gripping a map is based on a design by local art student Sarah Ward
Seeking out the Dartford warblers and nightjars living amongst the western gorse and bristle bent heath on North Hill, plants found only in the West Country
Catching glimpses of the beautiful Red deer and wild Exmoor ponies
Standing upon the summit of Selworthy Beacon at 308m (1,013ft) and resting to admire the spectacular views inland to Dunkery Beacon, the highest point on Exmoor, out towards Wales and along the coast to the journey ahead
Enjoying a welcome rest at harbour side pubs in Porlock Weir and waiting for the tide to go out to reveal the ancient submarine forest on the beach

How we're helping to look after this stretch

North Hill

The trail surface had become rutted as there was nowhere for water to run off the path, making it difficult to walk. The rutting also meant visitors were treading off the Coast Path and eroding the surrounding protected habitat. This project regraded the path and installed a side drain to remove any water flowing down the path. The cost of this project came to £1,000 of which the SWCPA contributed £500.

Bossington

Approximately 600 metres of permitted footpath and cycle path was impassable in places during long periods of wet weather. The works included scraping the surface mud and vegetation from the path and surfacing with stone scalpings to form a central raised path surface. These works have improved this path section and made it usable all year round. The total cost of this project came to £16,700 of which the SWCPA contributed £8,350.

Exmoor and North Devon repairs after Storm Darragh

Storm Darragh caused widespread damage to the Exmoor and North Devon section of Coast Path. Fallen trees blocked many paths, making them unsafe and inaccessible. Skilled teams worked tirelessly with tractors, machinery, and chainsaws to clear debris and reopen the trail. Additionally, our dedicated trail partners inspected all the routes, coordinating with landowners, and ensuring the safety of these vital pathways. Thank you to Exmoor National Park Authority, The National Trust Exmoor teams and Devon County Council for your work in getting the sections reopened. SWCPA is working to source funding to contribute to the storm damage repair estimated at £27,000.