Activities near Emmett's Grange
Exmoor Activities
Walking
Exploring further afield through the neighbouring National Park land will lead visitors to Cornham Ford, (3 miles) the most beautiful and peaceful place in the whole of Exmoor and on to the ‘Forest’ offering a huge selection of different routes.
Here you can have a picnic by the River Barle or explore the old caves; two are easy to spot, either side of the valley. If you look closely you can find the third cave down by the river. Other walks from the house can take you to Cow Castle, an Iron Age Hill Fort and the Barle Valley leading back to Simonsbath where you can stop for lunch at the Exmoor Forest Inn.
For more details about walking on Exmoor have a look here: www.holidayexmoor.co.uk
Cycling
Emmett’s Grange is perfectly situated for cycling on Exmoor, being one of the highest houses on the moor the hard work has already been done for you! The Sustrans Cycle Routes both border the estate with signed cycle routes will take you to Sandyway and beyond to explore Withypool or the beautiful, renowned Lanacre Bridge. Alternatively, you can head north past Moles Chamber, where there was a legendry villains’ drinking haunt, (long since disappeared.) Cycle on and down the gated road to Challacombe to enjoy lunch at the renowned ‘Black Venus’ which passes an ancient packhorse bridge.
For more details have a look at the link below: http://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/visiting/things-to-do/cycling
Riding
Once you have ridden on Exmoor, nothing will ever compare again!
Emmett’s Grange has stabling for up to 12 horses if you wish to bring your own. You can ride straight out from Emmett’s for some spectacular riding with no need to ‘box up’ or, alternatively there are several ‘Hireling yards’ if you prefer a seasoned local horse that knows the moor. Alternatively, there are lots of riding stables who can take you on an escorted ride, give you a helping lesson and generally catering for your personal requirements.
Have a look at the details below for some ideas:
- West Twitchen Ball Farm: Twitchen, near North Molton.
- Tel. 01598 740311. EX36 3LX (7 miles)
- Brendon Manor Farm: Near Lynton
- Call Mr. & Mrs. B. Woollacott on 01598 741246. EX35 6LQ (8 miles)
- Liscombe Riding Stables: Tarr Steps, Dulverton
- Phone Keith and Sally Wade on 01643 851551. TA22 9QA (13 miles)
- West Anstey Farm: Dulverton
- Tel. 01398 341354. TA22 9RY (13 miles)
- Lower Dean Farm Riding Stable. Near Combe Martin
- Call Tracey Eames on 01598 763565. EX31 4PJ (14 miles)
- Burrowhayes Farm Riding Stables: West Luccombe, Porlock
- Call Julian & Marion Dascombe on 01643 862463. TA24 8HT (15 miles)
- Huntscott House Stables: Huntscott, Wootton Courtenay, Minehead
- Tel. 01643 841272. TA24 8RR (18 miles)
- To enjoy an extra hour in bed and make use of an excellent local grooming service.
- Call Lucy Beeney on 07929 644281
On the water
For those looking for something more adventurous take the plunge and try a variety of water sports with windsurfing, sailing and rowing at either Wimbleball Lake near Dulverton in the east or Whistlandpound Resovoir near Blackmoor gate in the west. For the more experienced it’s also possible to canoe down the River Barle or the infamous East Lyn river during the winter season. For more details click on the links below.
- River Barle
- Information on specific access arrangements in place for the River Barle
- East Lyn River
- Information on specific access arrangements in place for East Lyn River
Country Pursuits
For those wanting to spend time fishing, shooting, hunting and pursuing falconry there are a number of traditional activities amongst the communities of Exmoor. Due to the seasonal nature of many of the activities details are available on request, or have a look at some of the links below:
Local Hunt Groups
- The Dulverton West Foxhounds
- Phone 01598 740204
- Exmoor Foxhounds
- Phone 01598 710341
- Minehead Harriers
- Phone 01643 705924
- Devon & Somerset Staghounds
- Phone 01643 831287
- Taw Vale Beagles
- Phone M Coldwell on 01884 861030
Falconry
One on one experiences with a bird of prey can be provided by North Devon Hawk Walks by calling 01598-740114, or with the Exmoor Owl and Hawk Centre in Porlock - Call 01643-862816 for further details.
Trout fishing
There are many lakes and ponds in the area offering great trout fishing in beautiful locations, have a look at the links below for some ideas:
- Wimbleball Lake, Dulverton
- Stocks rainbows, wild browns and has self-serve permits and boats. Phone 01398 371372
- Wistlandpound, near South Molton
- Stocks browns and rainbows. Phone 01288 321262
- Clatworthy Reservoir
- Off the eastern side of Exmoor, the reservoir has mainly rainbows and has self-serve permits and boats. Phone 0845 7300600
- Exe Valley Fishery (and smokery), Dulverton.
- Stocked with rainbows in several small lakes, with methods to suit all ages and abilities. Tel. 01398 323328
- Bellbrook Valley Trout Fishery
- Oakford, near Tiverton. Phone 01398 351292: 4 small lakes with different sizes of rainbows, open all year.
- Blakewell Trout Fishery, Muddiford, near Barnstaple
- Phone 01271 344533.
Qualified Fly Fisherman Nick Hart can also provided one to one tutition. Find him at www.hartflyfishing.demon.co.uk
Salmon fishing
Easy access permits can be purchased for the following rivers.
- Little Exe around Dulverton/Bridgtown.
- Permits from Lance Nicholson Tackle. Phone 01398 323409
- East Lyn and West Lyn rivers
- Permits can be bought from the Lynton Tourist Information Centre, and Brendon House Hotel, Brendon
Other permit possibilities
Where permits are issued by a hotel, etc, priority is given to their residents so permits to non-residents cannot always be offered and therefore are on a shorter notice basis.
- River Exe
- Salmon and trout through the Anchor Inn 01398 323433
- River Barle
- Salmon and trout fishing on the River Barle phone the Royal Oak at Withypool on 01643 831236
- River Mole
- For salmon, sea trout and trout on the River Mole phone Chris Taylor at the High Bullen Hotel, Chittlehamholt on 01769 540561 or contact the Rising Sun Hotel, Umberleigh, on 01769 560447.
Coarse Fishing
- Oaktree Fishery
- Bottreaux Mill, South Molton. Phone 01389 341568
- Riverton House
- Swimbridge, Barnstaple. Phone 01271 830009
- Lower Slade
- Ilfracombe Phone 01288 321262
- Grand Western Canal
- Tiverton 01884 256721
The Coast
Exmoor boasts some of the finest coastline in the Country with the famous wooded cliffs, secret smugglers coves, idyllic working fishing towns and spectacular cliff paths. Places to visit would be:
- The twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth (18 miles)
- Renamed ‘Little Switzerland’ by the Victorians the two idyllic villages sit at the mouth of the Lyn River. At the higher village of Lynton you’ll find plenty of shops, tea room and café’s and to avoid the steep climb down to Lynmouth you can take the impressive Victorian water-powered cliff railway. In Lynmouth itself you can wander past the traditional fisherman’s cottages, over the bridge of the East Lyn river and along the sea front which has views out to South Wales. From either village you can access the magnificent ‘Valley of the Rocks.’ With views out to sea if is an extremely popular tourist destination for walkers and climbers alike, renowned for its rugged beauty and incredible views.
- Ilfracombe (21 miles)
- The Victorian seaside town of Ilfracombe has a good selection of pubs, shops and restaurants (including a couple owned by Damien Hirst) all sat around a pretty harbourside. Visitors can also hop on board one of the daily boat trips to the stunning Lundy Island. Within the town is the iconic Landmark Theatre for a spot of culture as well as the award winning Tunnels Beaches – a unique Blue Flag family beach steeped in history where visitors reach the beach through tunnels carved out of the Cliffside rocks.
- Sea fishing trips are available from most of the fishing harbours, Ifracombe pier is always a hive of activity lots of skippers vieing for business tempting anglers with different excitements.
- Phone the ‘Osprey’ on 01271 864625, ‘Our Unity’ on 01271 883051 or the ‘Silver Fox’ on 01271 863460 to arrange a trip.
- Porlock (16 miles)
- The traditional Exmoor village is nestled into the side of Porlock Hill. With a long shingle beach, a museum, gardens and an aquarium, it’s the perfect place to spend a day out with the family. From the village you can also try your hand at sea fishing, or use the village as a base for one of the regular shoots which takes place close by.
Beaches
With miles of golden sand and stunning views the beaches of North Devon and Exmoor are legendary.
- Saunton Sands (21 miles)
- Saunton Sands has 3.5 miles of beautiful flat golden sand - With good surfing conditions and stunning views over the UNESCO Biosphere reserve of Braunton Burrows its makes an ideal visit for an unspoilt day at the beach.
- Croyde (22 miles)
- Further round the coast is Croyde, a much smaller beach but a paradise of surfers all year round, which holds the acclaimed OceanFest each summer.
- Putsborough and Woolacombe (24 miles)
- Following on round the coast you can reach the joint beaches of Putsborough and Woolacombe. With a 3 mile stretch of long golden sands and colourful beach huts it provides the perfect family day out at the seaside. With Blue Flag status and lifeguards on duty during the summer, it is an excellent safe environment for swimming, surfing and windsurfing. Woolacombe itself also has a relaxed feel to it with excellent pubs, cafes, restauarants and lots of seaside shops.
- Lee Bay (25 miles)
- Further along around the coast is the picturesque coastal village of Lee Bay which has a small sandy beach and many rock pools at low tide. Sat within a small rocky cove the village remains wonderfully sedate and feels untouched by the 21st century.
History and Heritage
There are a wealth of historical places around North Devon and West Somerset which can make unforgettable days out during your stay.
Nearby to Emmett’s Grange is the historic market town of Dulverton (15 miles), the southern gateway to Exmoor. With plenty of old houses and shops to Exmoor it’s an ideal stop off point before visiting the famous Tarr Steps. Nestled in a beautiful wooded valley Tarr Steps is prehistoric clapper bridge thought to have been built in c.1000 BC. With an excellent tea rooms, the bridge is a truly interesting place to visit and provides a centre point to walk many of the paths which pass through the area.
Further west is the historic ‘Arlington Court’ (15 miles); a National Trust regency set in acres of stunning countryside. The estate also houses the National Trust Carriage Museum where you can take a horse-drawn carriage ride around the estate. With scenic walks and plenty of activities to keep the children entertained it is one of the most popular visitor attractions in North Devon.
Further afield to the east is the fantastic Dunster Castle (19 miles). Dramatically positioned on top of a wooded hill the National Trust castle is full of history and comes with everything you would expect from a National Trust property. With many different activities for children and tranquil parkland with a Mediterranean terrace it’s an ideal location for a family day out.
Alternatively, for the ultimate picnic spot, why not visit Castle Hill Gardens in Filleigh (10 miles). Set in the centre of a exquisite landscaped estate, visitors can enjoy their lunch from the old folly castle which on a clear day you can see both the Bristol Channel to the north and Dartmoor to the south.
