Winsford

Exmoor village of thatched cottages, river fords, and moorland walks below Winsford Hill.

Winsford is widely considered the prettiest village on Exmoor, set in a hollow where the River Exe meets the Winn Brook. Thatched cottages cluster around a ford, the Royal Oak Inn sits at its heart, and the village feels remarkably unvisited despite being within easy reach of the moor's main roads.

Two well-known Exmoor attractions are close by: Dunkery Beacon, the highest point on the moor at 519 metres, with wide views on clear days toward Wales and the Bristol Channel; and Tarr Steps, a medieval clapper bridge of flat stones spanning the River Barle, about four miles to the southwest. The open ridge of Winsford Hill rises immediately above the village, with the curious Caratacus Stone on its flank.

Guide

Getting There

Winsford is reached by minor roads off the A396 between Dulverton and Wheddon Cross. The nearest railway station is at Tiverton Parkway, about 25 miles away, from where buses are infrequent — most visitors come by car. Once in the village, the centre is small enough to walk in five minutes; for the surrounding hills and Tarr Steps, walking or driving are both options.

Guide

Things to Do

Winsford itself is a place to slow down — wander the lanes, photograph the thatched cottages, paddle in the ford, and have a pint by the river. The serious walking begins on the surrounding moorland, with the open heights of Winsford Hill, the wooded valley of the River Barle, and the wide views from Dunkery Beacon all within easy reach.

The two best-known Exmoor sights — the medieval clapper bridge at Tarr Steps and the prehistoric Caratacus Stone — are both within walking distance of the village. The Royal Oak, in the centre, is one of the most photographed pubs in England.

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