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Exmoor Coast Walking Weekend - Guided and Sociable Walking

Join us for a fantastic three-night bank holiday weekend of sociable, guided walking along the stunning coastline of Exmoor National Park. This trip includes accommodation for three nights in a charming National Trust bunkhouse, guided walks, most meals, and the opportunity to make plenty of new friends. With breathtaking views and a cosy country pub just a stone's throw away, this promises to be the perfect three-night walking adventure in the South West.

Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration: 3 nights
Accommodation: Hostel
Group Size: Maximum 15
Level: Active
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except registered assistance dogs

In a Nutshell:

  • Guided Walks in Exmoor: Explore the beauty of Exmoor National Park’s coastline and moors over three days of Active-level guided walking, with plenty of time to enjoy the stunning scenery.

  • Sociable Accommodation: Stay at a National Trust-owned bunkhouse in the heart of Exmoor, sharing meals and relaxing evenings with your fellow walkers.

  • Social Walking: Meet a friendly group of like-minded outdoor enthusiasts, all eager to enjoy a brilliant long weekend of walking and good company.

  • Stunning Scenery: Take in fantastic views, pristine woodlands, and dramatic landscapes, and perhaps enjoy a drink at a local pub to round off your day!

 

Book today…

Breathtaking coastal walks, timeless seaside villages and fantastic company in North Devon.

Embark on a journey of discovery along the untamed coastline of North Devon with our upcoming guided walking weekend. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Exmoor National Park, where towering sea cliffs and ancient woodlands await exploration. This isn't just a walking trip – it's an opportunity to forge new connections, unwind from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and reconnect with the wonders of the natural world.

Your friendly Large Outdoors host will be there to guide you on three days of walks along the rugged terrain of the South West Coast Path, where you'll have the chance to encounter the diverse array of wildlife that calls this coastal paradise home. From soaring seabirds to elusive wild ponies grazing on the clifftops, each encounter adds to the magic of the experience.

As you explore charming seaside villages like Lynmouth and Lynton, you'll find yourself immersed in their timeless beauty. Whether you're sharing stories over a hearty meal at a local pub or simply enjoying the tranquility of a coastal sunset, every experience promises to be authentic and memorable. Join us for a weekend of adventure, relaxation, and discovery amidst the stunning landscapes of Exmoor's coast.

Suggested Itinerary

  • You are welcome to arrive at the hostel from 5pm, where your Large Outdoors host will be ready to greet you and help you settle in. This evening is all about getting to know your fellow walkers, unloading from the stress of the week, and chatting about the weekend ahead. Dinner will be served at 8pm.

  • After breakfast and packing up our lunch, we’ll head out. The walk today will be approximately 10 to 12 miles along the Exmoor section of the South West Coast Path.

    Today is all about getting the best from the coast. Some stretches of this walk are along steep coastal cliffs and so care needs to be taken, but you’ll certainly take in stunning views over Lynmouth Bay and explore pristine, National Trust woodlands.

    You’ll travel through the valleys of the Tarka Trail (of Tarka the Otter fame!), and pass dramatic lighthouses. The landscapes are diverse and truly stunning, so don’t forget to take a photo or two!

    Following a day of intrepid, inspiring walking, you’ll return to the accommodation to relax and freshen up before your Large Outdoors host serves up a the evening meal.

  • Today our adventure continues as we head north to further explore the Exmoor Coastline.

    Once back at the accommodation there is time to freshen up before heading out for an evening meal at a local pub. Then all that’s to be done is to bask in the warmth of a good day’s walking with great company!

  • Today we’ll drive (transport is not provided and participants usually car share) to Lynmouth to jump on the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway (fare not included). This is a unique, funicular-style railway designed by canny Victorian engineers to run entirely on water - talk about eco-friendly travel! The railway takes you from the coast to cliffs, climbing 500ft in just over a minute, to where our walk for today begins.

    You and your group of fellow walkers will head to the famous Valley of Rocks, a magnificent landscape that has inspired Romantic poets and is renowned for its population of feral goats (yes, really!). You’ll spend some time trekking along the coast before heading back inland and up over the top of the Valley of Rocks, providing a stellar view of the incredible geological formations below.

    As the day’s activity draws to a close, you’ll head back into Lynton and down to Lynmouth, where perhaps you’ll have time to tuck into some well-deserved fish and chips or pasties with the rest of the group. Then it’s time to say farewell to your new-found friends and head off home.

Essential Information

  • Meeting Time: from 5pm
    You can arrive any time from 5pm - the Large Outdoors host will be at the accommodation to welcome you. Dinner will be served around 8pm so if you intend to arrive later than this, please ensure you have something to eat on the way.

    Meeting Location:
    National Trust Exmoor Bunkhouse
    Countisbury Hill
    Lynmouth
    EX35 6NE

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    Parking: Limited free parking is available at the bunkhouse. Additional free parking is available at Barna Barrow, approximate 600 meters from the accommodation. Please feel free to drop your bags at the bunkhouse before parking.

    Public Transport: The bunkhouse is located approx. 21 miles from Barnstaple Train Station, with services to/from Axminster and Exeter Central.

    Please Note: On some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport and participants normally car share.

    Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 1pm and 3pm - the exact finish time may depend on the planned/chosen activity, group dynamic, weather conditions, whether the group chooses to grab a coffee or lunch together during/after, etc. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility.

  • We’ll have exclusive use of the National Trust-owned Exmoor Bunkhouse, a lovely hostel in the heart of the rugged and dramatic Exmoor National Park. The venue has a mix of dorm-style rooms with bunk beds.

    Please bring your own duvet or sleeping bag as the venue only provides a bottom sheet, pillows, and pillow cases. Make sure you bring your own towel and toiletries too.

    Accommodation Address:
    National Trust Exmoor Bunkhouse
    Countisbury Hill
    Lynmouth
    EX35 6NE

    Room Types:
    You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
    Bed in a Shared Female Room
    Bed in a Shared Male Room

    All rooms at this accommodation are Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a dorm room - with bunk beds - with other participants (room sizes vary and bathrooms are shared).

  • Included:

    • 3 nights’ accommodation in the National Trust-owned Exmoor Bunkhouse.

    • A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you, deal with meal preparation and the logistics for your experience.

    • 3 days of walking along the stunning Exmoor coastline led by a professional, qualified guide.

    • Home-cooked set 2-course dinners at the accommodation on 2 evenings.

    • A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).

    • A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for walks on Days 2 & 3. Please ensure you bring a lunch box or dry bag - to reduce waste, we do not supply cling film or sandwich bags.

    • Tea (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and squash at the accommodation.

    • The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.

    • Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.

    Not Included:

    • Travel to and from the meeting location.

    • Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door. On some days there could be a short drive required - we don't include transport and participants normally car share.

    • Dinner on 1 evening - we’ll book a table at a local restaurant to enjoy dinner as a group and you can purchase whatever you fancy from the menu available.

    • Your ticket for the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway (currently £3.50pp).

    • No bedding or towels are provided (the beds will have bottom sheet and pillow only) - please bring bedding/sleeping bag with you, as well as a towel and your own toiletries.

    • Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.

    • Bottled water - tap water and squash are available at the accommodation, so please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up and take out with you.

    • Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation. When we dine out on 1 evening you can purchase alcoholic drinks there if desired.

    • Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.

    • Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.

    • What level of fitness is needed?
      This trip is rated Active - a good level of fitness is required as Exmoor National Park’s stunning coastline is a mix of rugged hills and deep valleys, so this weekend involves plenty of ups and downs on steep cliff paths. Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.

    • Can I attend on my own?
      Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.

    • I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me?
      Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian meals, vegan meals, provide meals with gluten* free ingredients, and/or provide dairy* free meals - these options can be selected when booking. *Please see our general FAQs for more information about dietary options.

    • What transport is provided during this trip?
      We do not provide any transport for this experience. On some days there could be a short drive required to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the accommodation - participants normally car share.

    • Can I bring my dog?
      Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.

  • Exmoor National Park straddles the north coasts of Devon and Somerset, in the south-west of England. Inland, its landscape features high moors and steep valleys, and where they meet the sea the hills end abruptly, forming the highest sea-cliffs in England, most of which are cloaked in dense woodland.

    You can explore picturesque fishing villages and beautiful old lighthouses via the famous South-West Coast Path. It’s not unusual to spot dolphins and porpoises off the coast, and on a clear day you can gaze across the sea to South Wales.

This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.