Dulverton

Tucked into a wooded valley on the southern fringe of Exmoor National Park, Dulverton sits where the River Barle flows down to join the Exe. It is often called the 'Gateway to Exmoor', and the title fits: step off the compact high street and within minutes you are on open moorland, in ancient oak woodland, or following the river out towards Tarr Steps. The town itself is small but self-possessed, its terraces of stone and colour-washed houses climbing gently from the water, with more than 40 independent shops, galleries and cafes packed into a few streets.

Dulverton has long punched above its weight as a base for exploring Exmoor. It was a centre for the wool trade and later for tanning, and the National Park's own visitor centre is based here, a sign of how central the town is to the wider moor. Red deer still roam the combes and hillsides around it, Exmoor ponies graze the open moorland, and the River Barle running through the valley is one of the best stretches of river in the West Country for a wild swim or a walk. It is a town that rewards slow travel: come to walk, to fish, to eat well, and to use it as a launchpad for the rest of Exmoor.

Top things to do in Dulverton

Dulverton's appeal lies as much in what surrounds it as what is in the town itself. Here are some of the best reasons to visit.

• Tarr Steps — A Grade I-listed clapper bridge of enormous stone slabs spanning the River Barle, thought to be medieval or older in origin, set in a beautiful wooded valley a short drive from town.
• Dulverton Heritage Centre — A free local museum with exhibits on the town's history, including its wool and tanning trades and a detailed model of the old railway station.
• Exmoor National Park Centre — Based in Dulverton itself, with maps, walking advice and exhibits covering the whole national park.
• Walking and wild swimming on the River Barle — Riverside paths lead out from the town towards Tarr Steps, with quiet swimming spots along the way.
• Dunkery Beacon — The highest point on Exmoor and in Somerset at 519 metres, with views stretching to the Bristol Channel, Wales and Dartmoor on a clear day.
• Red deer and Exmoor pony spotting — The combes and moorland around Dulverton are prime territory for England's largest wild land mammal and its native pony breed.
• Wimbleball Lake — A reservoir a short drive away offering sailing, paddleboarding, fishing and circular walking and cycling trails.
• Fly fishing on the Barle and Exe — Both rivers are noted for wild brown trout, and day tickets are available locally.

Getting to Dulverton

Dulverton sits just off the B3222 and B3223, with the A396 Tiverton to Minehead road passing close by along the Exe valley. Drivers coming from the M5 should leave at Junction 27 (Tiverton) and follow the A396 north-west, a journey of around 35 minutes. The nearest mainline railway stations are Tiverton Parkway and Taunton, both around 30-40 minutes away by car and with regular services to London Paddington in around two hours. From either station, a taxi or pre-booked transfer is the easiest way to reach Dulverton itself, as public transport links into the town are limited.

Best time to visit Dulverton

Late spring and early summer bring bluebells and fresh green growth to the Barle valley woodlands, along with the longest days for walking on the moor. Autumn is a highlight for many visitors, when the bracken turns russet and the red deer rut fills the combes with roaring stags, best witnessed at dawn or dusk with a local guide. Summer is busiest, particularly around Tarr Steps, but the moor is big enough to escape the crowds. Winter is quieter and can be atmospheric, though some moorland roads and paths become exposed and muddy, so proper footwear and clothing are essential whenever you visit.

Where to stay in Dulverton

Options range from traditional coaching inns on the high street to farmhouse B&Bs and self-catering cottages scattered through the surrounding villages and combes. Staying in the town itself puts you within walking distance of the shops, pubs and the National Park Centre, while a base out towards Tarr Steps or Winsford offers a quieter, more rural feel with easy access to moorland walks straight from the door.

Food and drink in Dulverton

For a small town, Dulverton has a genuinely strong food and drink scene. Woods Bar and Restaurant on Bank Square is a long-standing local favourite for seasonal West Country cooking, while The Bridge Inn and The Lion Hotel with its adjoining Tap Bar offer classic pub food and local ales. The Copper Kettle and Tantivy are popular spots for tea and cake after a morning's walk, and Tongdam brings Thai cooking to the high street. A little out of town, the historic Tarr Farm Inn near Tarr Steps is known for fine dining built around Exmoor lamb, Devon Red Ruby beef and local game. Don't miss the Dulverton Farmers' Market, held monthly from April to September, for local produce, cheeses and cider.