Heddon’s Gate Hotel, Exmoor

Heddon’s Gate is situated in the west of Exmoor National Park, which straddles the counties of Devon and Somerset.  This page aims to give just a taste of what this area has to offer.  Please also see our links to other web sites that cover the local area comprehensively.

Exmoor has rich, extensive and diverse natural beauty, encompassing expansive open moorland with steep-sided combes, traditional farmland, some of the most spectacular coastline in the country, and sparkling rivers and streams.  Hand-in-hand with this are a wealth of wildlife and flora and a distinctive pattern of human history.  One product of the latter is the Exmoor ponies, a unique semi-wild breed, often to be seen grazing the moorland (and crossing the roads!).

Wider North Devon is less commercially developed, enjoys a slower pace of life and has a much friendlier atmosphere than many other places.  It boasts some superb beaches on its western coast, which are a Mecca for sun, sea and sand-lovers and serious surfers alike.

Walking

Heddon’s Gate enjoys a stunning location overlooking moorland and woodland.  The area is a walker’s paradise, offering walks short and long, gentle to strenuous and exhilarating.

The South West Coast Path, with its spectacular cliff views, is 15 minutes’ walk away.  Inland walks from the hotel are equally rewarding.  Some of our guests often do not use their car from the time they arrive until the day they leave.  There is also excellent walking to be had a short drive away, such as the valley walk that takes in the landmarks of R D Blackmore’s classic Lorna Doone.

We are always pleased to advise our guests on the best walks to suit them.

Gardens

North Devon has a good number of first class gardens.  Notable examples are Marwood Hill near Barnstaple and RHS Rosemoor at Great Torrington.  If fuchsias are of interest, Silverdale Nursery at Combe Martin specialises in these.

Attractions

The area does not have large tourist attractions: that is not what Exmoor is all about.  But there is still a good variety of interesting places to visit, including small churches, museums, craft centres, a small zoo, a steam railway, a castle and a stately house that is home to the National Trust’s national carriage collection.

Activities

The nearest golf clubs are within easy driving distance at Ilfracombe, Saunton and Westward Ho! (the oldest club in England).  Cycling in the immediate area is for the hardiest cyclists only.  There is gentle cycling (and bike hire) to be had along the Tarka Trail, a varied and beautiful route along disused railway lines between Braunton and Meeth.  Horse riding can be had from two good stables nearby, and offers an alternative and exciting way to see Exmoor.  Outdoor sports are comprehensively covered by Active Exmoor.

Towns and villages

Nearest are the picturesque twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth, connected by the steep, water-powered Cliff Railway.  Lynmouth still remembers the devastating flood of 1952.  Slightly further afield, there is good shopping to be had in Barnstaple, which has a large Pannier Market, adjacent to the lively Butchers‘ Row; so too in Bideford, which also has a very good art gallery.  For picture-postcard prettiness, the village of Selworthy cannot be beaten.