THINGS TO DO
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Walking
Exmoor National Park has over 1000km of footpaths and bridleways that go through ancient woodland, next to fast-flowing rivers and across open moorland. At Nutsford House, you are five minutes from The National Park Centre at Dulverton and fifteen minutes only from the famous Tarr Steps, a great area for walking paths. The Two Moors Way, a long distance route which takes in both Exmoor and Dartmoor, passes very close to us and other routes like The Coleridge Way and The Exe Valley Way are nearby too. You could combine your walk with a wild swim too.
Pubs/Restaurants/Tea-rooms
A five minute drive away is Dulverton which is a thriving community of shops, pubs, an excellent restaurant and tea-rooms. The Bridge Inn is right next to the River Barle and is a lovely place for a drink or a spot of lunch or supper. The Anchor Inn in Exebridge is also only two minutes away, another riverside pub with family dining. Bampton with its range of excellent options is just a few minutes further. And if you're looking for something even more gastronomic, Woods Bar and Restaurant in Dulverton serves excellent food (advance booking essential).
Wildlife Safaris
Exmoor Wildlife Safaris run Land Rover tours where you can discover all the amazing flora and fauna for which Exmoor is famous.
Wellhayes Vineyard
Wellhayes is a small local vineyard producing sparkling wine from grapes grown on site. Visits last around one and a half hours and include a walk through the vineyard, visit to the winery, a glass of sparkling wine and a cream tea.
Cycling
Exmoor and the surrounding area hosts many excellent road cycling routes, for all abilities. We are located on Cycle Route 3 (Bristol to Plymouth). Whether you're after a gentle pedal through quiet countryside or a more strenous climb over the moor to Dunkery Point, Exmoor's highest point, Nutsford House provides a great base. If you're more of a mountain biker, the Exmoor OS Explorer map has details of all the permitted trails available in the area. Road bikes, mountain bikes, any bikes, there is locked storage space for them at Nutsford House.
A glance up at the night sky during your stay with us will reveal another reason why this place is so special. Exmoor National Park was Europe's first International Dark Sky Reserve and, with minimal light pollution, is one of the best places in the UK to stargaze. In the Autumn, Exmoor plays host to the Dark Skies Festival in October (see below) and all year round there is a Dark Sky Discovery Trail to explore, a two mile route offering amazing 360 degree views of the night sky.
Exmoor's small rural churches are worth a visit. There are great examples at Winsford, Dulverton, Oare and Culbone, which is the smallest parish church in England.
Knighthayes is a National Trust property just outside Tiverton, about 20 minutes from us. It has lovely gardens, parkland and Gothic Revival architecture to explore.
Dunster Castle is also only half an hour away.
Stargazing
Fishing
Rivers and streams are a massive part of the area, and the combination of clean water and thriving wildlife makes Exmoor a great place for fishing. Permit fishing is available on the River Barle and the River Exe, which are only a short distance away, and a two minute drive to Exebridge will take you to fly fishing lakes stocked with rainbow trout. We are happy to help with arrangements. Thirty to forty minutes away on the north coast are excellent opportunities for sea fishing as well.
Wimbleball Lake is a spectacular setting for all kinds of watersports : kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding and sailing. It's a twenty minute drive from Nutsford House, and walkers and cyclists will love the reservoir too.
Exmoor Distillery is open seven days a week for tours and gin tastings. The distillery is five minutes from us, just outside Dulverton.
Exmoor ponies live on the open moorland. They are a native pony to the UK and are a wonderful sight when you stumble across one of the around twenty herds that live "semi-wild" on various commons in the area. If you want an even closer look at them, the Exmoor Pony Centre is just fifteen minutes from us, a hub for all Exmoor Pony activity and a great place to visit.
Exmoor ponies
Exmoor distillery
