North Devon and Exmoor Autumn Walking Festival 1^st – 4^th October 2010

The North Devon and Exmoor Autumn Walking Festival will feature 32 guided walks including several foodie outings linking with the Exmoor Food Festival, (which takes place from 2^nd – 10^th October) as well as a number of walks that can be accessed via public transport.

Exmoor has a good choice of outings taking in sections of the South West Coast Path as well as stunning open moorland and the area made famous by RD Blackmore’s novel, Lorna Doone. October is the perfect time to hear the red deer rutting; two walks led by Exmoor rangers go in search of these majestic animals to experience the spectacle. A number of walks link with the Exmoor Food Festival such as a circular, 7.4 mile moorland walk, which drops down to the river Barle for lunch at Tarr Farm beside the famous Tarr Steps clapper bridge or a more strenuous walk over Selworthy Beacon stopping at Hindon Organic Farm for a delicious Exmoor Brunch’.

For full details of the event, which is supported by the Exmoor National Park Sustainable Development Fund, please visit the festival website.

Discount for rail users

English Heritage are offering a 20% discount on admission fees to Cleeve Abbey for those arriving by the West Somerset Railway. A visit to the Abbey provides you with a glimpse back into a bygone monastic era, with carved angles and magnificent architecture, all in a peaceful countryside setting. The abbey is jsut a short signposted walk from Washford station and a valid rail ticket must be shown to take advantage of the offer. For information on Cleeve Abbey click here.

An Exmoor Day Out

Do you remember (or wish you had experienced) those bygone days when we went on Holiday by Steam Train and local coach companies ran mystery tours to see lovely scenary along roads that were far from busy?

A small taste of yesteryear can be yours in the summer of 2010 when the West Somerset Railway and Blue Motors will combine for a Steam Train ride through the Quantock Hills and along the Bristol Channel coast from Bishops Lydeard (four miles from Taunton) to Dunster. At Dunster the Blue Motors Classic Coach will be waiting to meet you with a driver who is an expert in places of local interest and you will go on your way for the afternoon pausing at an Exmoor Inn for a meal and drink. The route of the Mystery Tour will not be revealed but you will be back at Minehead Station beore the departure of your train back to Bishops Lydeard.

For further information please click here.