Walking Holiday Cottages on Exmoor

Exmoor is made for walking holidays. From open moorland and wooded river valleys to rugged coastal paths and quiet country lanes, it offers a varied setting for short breaks, long weekends and week-long stays on foot.

Browse walking holiday cottages on Exmoor and choose a comfortable base for exploring at your own pace. Whether you are planning gentle riverside walks, longer hill routes or a full day on the coast, a self-catering cottage gives you the flexibility to set out when you like and put your feet up afterwards.

A terrace of Somerset cottages and front gardens.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Grace Cottage is a characterful 19th-century holiday cottage in Porlock on the West Somerset coast. The stone-built cottage sleeps four and welcomes pets. It offers a suntrap garden, abundant natural light, an open-plan design, a log fire, and easy access to the coast and the Exmoor National Park.

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
An Exmoor Longhouse overlooks a quiet, steep-banked country lane.
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

Situated deep in the heart of the Exmoor National Park on the outskirts of the riverside village of Exford, Somerset, you’ll find Greenslades, a large, child-friendly holiday cottage offering gorgeous countryside views, four bedrooms (two en-suite), beamed ceilings, and two wood-burner stoves.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Large Holiday Cottages
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Exterior of a Dunster holiday cottage with a pave courtyard and sun loungers.
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

Grist Mill is a large and characterful rural holiday cottage in Dunster, a medieval village on the West Somerset coast. It is a charming semi-detached cottage that can accommodate up to eight guests. It boasts a spacious leafy garden with furnished areas, a brand-new sunroom, unique decor and furnishings, an open-plan design, a modern style, and a warm and inviting wood-burning stove.

The large semi-detached cottage sleeps eight and features a large leafy garden with furnished areas, a new sunroom, quirky décor and furnishings, an open-plan design, a contemporary style, and a cosy wood-burning stove.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A stone built Exmoor cottage  faces a lawn containing a sheltered hot tub  and a two outdoor chairs around a tea-table.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Hartford Cottage is a beautiful romantic Exmoor holiday home in a moorland village near South Molton in Devon. The pet-friendly cottage with a hot tub enjoys tranquillity, far-reaching views, a generous sunroom, traditional character and access to a tennis court, games room and Exmoor.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
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  • Fishing Holidays
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
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  • Short Breaks
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  • Walking Holidays
An Exmoor stone barn conversion overlooks a bend in a country lane.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

This pet-friendly farm cottage in Somerset nestles in an idyllic valley between the Brendon Hills and  Exmoor. Harthanger View Cottage near the rural village of Luxborough was recently converted from a barn into a charming retreat with a spiral staircase, cosy sitting room, and en-suite master.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Short Breaks
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  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of an Exmoor country cottage with large chimney in front of tall trees and overlooking a large courtyard.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Set on a working farm near Wheddon Cross, the highest village on Exmoor, Hedgehog Cottage promises serenity and wonderful countryside views. The pet-friendly cottage offers fresh air, spacious grounds, a log fire, country charm, and contemporary luxury.

  • Active Holidays
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A two-storey holiday cottage seen through the branches of a tree.
  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 3

Heyden Cottage is a delightful rural holiday cottage near Minehead, sleeping five in a quiet location. The pet-friendly cottage lies within the Exmoor National Park near the West Somerset coast. It offers seclusion plus fantastic countryside views. Enjoy adventures by day and relax by the wood-burning stove at night.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Coastal Cottages
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  • Cycling Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A single-storey, stone-built, luxury Exmoor barn conversion surrounded by trees and hedgerows.
  • Sleeps 3
  • Bedrooms 2

Enjoy self-catering cottage holidays on Exmoor with a stay at Higher Bumsley Barn, a charming barn conversion near the rural settlement of Parracombe, Devon. It stands on 50 acres of an Environmental/Conservation Farm and is a countryside cottage with a vaulted ceiling, two comfy bedrooms, and a Woodburner.

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
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  • Cycling Holidays
  • Farm Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
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  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A remote hillside lodge on the side of a hill surrounded by fields, hedgerows and trees.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Looking for a peaceful and scenic holiday escape? Discover Hillway Lodge, a beautiful three-bedroom, pet-friendly holiday cottage in the heart of Exmoor National Park. You can enjoy stunning views from almost every room, with sweeping vistas across the garden and down to the meandering River Barle. It is perfect for those seeking a tranquil and rustic retreat or a base for walking holidays on Exmoor.

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Double-fronted cottage exterior with traditional quarter-light windows.
  • Sleeps 13
  • Bedrooms 5

Holmdale is a large, character-laden coastal cottage in Porlock, a sought-after location in Somerset. The pet-friendly holiday cottage within the Exmoor National Park boasts sea views, exposed beams, a farmhouse-style kitchen, a cosy log fire, and a spacious garden with outdoor seating and dining furniture. Explore the coast and countryside of Exmoor in true style.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a wisteria-clad stone-built holiday cottage in Porlock on a sunny day.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Jasmine Cottage is a charming stone-built end terrace located on the edge of Porlock. This coastal holiday cottage in Somerset boasts breathtaking sea views and can comfortably accommodate up to six guests. The pet-friendly cottage offers guests a sun-trap enclosed garden, a breezy open-plan design, coastal chic decor, abundant natural light, charming furnishings, and a cosy wood-burning stove.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a stone-built Exmoor Holiday Cottage surrounded by spacious lawns.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Located in a peaceful corner amidst the unspoiled beauty of Exmoor, Kiri Cottage offers an ideal getaway that is just a stone's throw away from the renowned Tarr Steps. The cottage is situated within the pristine grounds of West Hollowcombe Farm and offers a spacious 3-bedroom rural retreat in Hawkridge. It boasts breathtaking south-facing moorland views that will leave you spellbound. Here, you can experience nature at its very best and embark on your own Exmoor adventure.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
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  • Cycling Holidays
  • Farm Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
The exterior of a stone-built Exmoor farmhouse in a remote moorland location.
  • Sleeps 10
  • Bedrooms 5

This large Exmoor holiday home is in a beautiful secluded position surrounded by moorland near Simonsbath and can sleep ten people in five bedrooms. Limecombe is ideally located for walking and cycling holidays on Exmoor.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
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  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
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  • Short Breaks
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  A footpath between a lawn and mature shrubs leads to a stone-built rural cottage.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Little Hanger is a delightful seaside holiday home located in Porlock. It can accommodate up to six guests with two double bedrooms and one twin bedroom. The property offers a private terrace, a well-equipped kitchen, and a cozy sitting room with a woodburner. Guests also have access to an all-weather tennis court and a private garden with a barbecue area. Pets are welcome at the home. It is conveniently situated within a short walk from the village and is an ideal base for exploring the entire Exmoor coast from Minehead to Lynmouth.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A bungalow sits behind a large lawn with flower-filled borders.
  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 2

The Blue Anchor promenade lies just moments from Meadow View, a charming coastal cottage in Somerset with views across a meadow to the ocean and the West Somerset Heritage Railway. The modern family cottage offers comfort, relaxing outdoor spaces, and a prime position in this lovely seaside village.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays

Explore Exmoor on foot

Exmoor has walks for all kinds of visitors. The central moor around Exford, Withypool and Simonsbath is well suited to wide views, open landscapes and bridleways, while the wooded valleys and riverside paths offer a quieter change of scene.

On the coast, walking routes around Porlock, Lynton and Lynmouth bring sea views, steep combes and places to stop for lunch along the way. You can make your days as ambitious or as relaxed as you like.

A cottage base for your walking holiday

A cottage on Exmoor gives you a practical place to start and finish each day. Plan your route over breakfast, pack a picnic and return to a warm, comfortable space after time outdoors.

When choosing a cottage for walkers, look for details such as:

  • Nearby footpaths, bridleways or village walks
  • Parking for exploring different parts of Exmoor
  • Space for boots, waterproofs and walking gear
  • A pub, shop or café within reach
  • Dog-friendly accommodation if you are walking with your dog

Facilities and locations vary, so always check the individual property listing before booking.

Walking, hiking and cycling on Exmoor

Walking is the main reason many visitors choose Exmoor, but there is plenty of scope to add cycling to your stay. The area has quiet lanes, bridleways and established routes for riders who want to explore more of the National Park between walks.

That makes Exmoor a good choice for couples, families and groups where everyone wants something slightly different from the holiday.

Explore Exmoor at your own pace

Stay close to the moorland, choose a riverside village or book near the coast. Exmoor offers a range of walking experiences without needing to follow the same route twice.

You may also like to browse all Exmoor holiday cottages, dog-friendly cottages on Exmoor or holiday cottages with hot tubs on Exmoor.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Exmoor has a wide network of footpaths and bridleways, with open moorland, wooded valleys, riverside routes and coastal walks to explore.

You can find shorter village and riverside walks, longer moorland routes, coastal paths and more challenging hikes across the National Park.

Many Exmoor cottages are well placed for walking holidays. Check each property listing for nearby routes, parking and practical facilities.

Yes. There are dog-friendly cottages on Exmoor, giving you a suitable base for walks with your dog. Always follow local guidance around livestock and wildlife.

 

Yes. Cycling is a useful addition to a walking holiday on Exmoor, with routes on quiet roads, bridleways and designated cycling trails.