If you are thinking of booking a holiday cottage Exmoor could be the perfect destination. It is home to some of the most varied and beautiful scenery in southern England comprising a coastline with high and dramatic cliffs and heather moorland cut by deep fertile valleys dotted with pretty villages. For visitors to Exmoor cottages make an ideal base from which to explore this delightful National Park.

To the north the moorland terminates in towering cliffs above the Bristol Channel. Rocky headlands, steep wooded ravines, plunging waterfalls and jumbled heaps of fallen rock make this an area of outstanding beauty.Inland, the small winding roads of Exmoor take you through the varied countryside of brooding moorland, lush farmland, ancient wooded valleys and historic villages with traditional thatched Exmoor cottages.

Whatever time of year you visit Exmoor, you can enjoy its beauty. In spring there are snowdrops, bluebell woods and primrose-covered hedgerows. In summer the moorlands are a vibrant sea of purples, lilacs and yellows. Autumn brings a wonderful golden colour to the woodlands. Winter is also a magical time, when the snow covered landscape takes on a whole new beauty. For a short break holiday cottage Exmoor has a lot to offer.

Steeped in history the Exmoor area covers a wide range of places to visit from Ilfracombe in North Devon along the spectacular coastline to Minehead in Somerset and inland to rural villages, small towns and acres of open space, perfect for outdoor pursuits.

Ilfracombe is a charming seaside town nestling amongst the rugged cliffs on the majestic coast just to the west of the Exmoor National Park. It's attractive natural harbour, elegant Victorian architecture, many green spaces and park areas up on the hills continue to make it as popular today as it has been since the 1830s.

Where the plateau of Exmoor meets the sea, the coastline is high and dramatic with majestic cliffs and lush wooded valleys cutting deep into the coast. The popular fishing village of Lynmouth is connected to Lynton, perched on the cliff-top above by a cliff railway. Porlock has retained its charm with steep, winding streets and thatched cottages.

Further along the coast is Minehead, a traditional seaside resort with its promenade, palm trees, extravagant floral displays and long, sandy beach. Nearby is Dunster Castle, dramatically sited on a wooded hill with an impressive medieval gatehouse and ruined tower, giving a reminder of its turbulent history. Beautiful hilltop gardens and parkland offering fantastic views across Exmoor surround the castle, including subtropical gardens and the National Collection of Strawberry Trees.

Dulverton, is a great base for exploring southern Exmoor. Located in the heart of Exmoor's most outstanding countryside, it is situated between the Rivers Barle and Exe which converge a mile or so down the valley. This is excellent walking country with riverside and woodland trails or more strenuous climbs up to the moors. The upland oak woodlands in the Barle Valley are some of the best ancient woodlands in the country. Nearby is Bampton, a delightful town with many fine Georgian buildings, dominated by its castle - one of the best preserved in Devon.

I've come up with a selection of Exmoor cottages, near the coast and in the heart of the countryside. So, if you are looking for Exmoor cottages to rent, why not browse my selection to find something that catches your eye?

See all of our North Devon cottages
See all of our Somerset cottage

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