Exmoor National Park is the quietest of England's national parks. It gets a fraction of the visitors that the Lake District, Peak District, or Cornwall get, despite having some of the most beautiful coastline in the country.
For campervan owners, Exmoor is a hidden gem — quiet roads, free parking, genuine wild camping opportunities, and a coastline that blends the Jurassic Coast with Scottish-style moorlands.
The Exmoor Coast
Exmoor's coastline runs 55 miles from Minehead in the east to Combe Martin in the west. It's a mix of:
- High cliffs — the highest sea cliffs in England (Great Hangman, 318m)
- Deep combes — wooded valleys that cut through the moor to the sea
- Rocky shores — exposed at low tide, great for fossil hunting
- Shingle beaches — small, inaccessible coves that are almost empty even in August
Where to Park Overnight
Exmoor National Park has fewer parking restrictions than Cornwall or the Lake District. The park authority takes a tolerant approach to campervan parking, provided you're not blocking gates, ruining verges, or leaving rubbish.
Best Overnight Spots
Heddon Valley (Free)
The NT car park at Heddon Valley is the best overnight spot on the Exmoor coast. Park at the Hunter's Inn car park (free after 6pm, £3 for day use). It's a 15-minute walk to the coast path and a beautiful river valley. The Hunter's Inn pub does good food and lets campervans stay.
Watersmeet (£3)
NT car park at Watersmeet House. £3 for day parking, free overnight (NT rangers turn a blind eye to single-night stays). The river valley walk to Lynmouth is beautiful. The cafe at Watersmeet House is open 10am-5pm in summer.
Countisbury Hill (Free)
The large layby on the A39 at the top of Countisbury Hill has panoramic views over Lynmouth Bay. It's exposed (windy) and the A39 carries traffic at night, but the view at sunrise is some of the best on the Exmoor coast. Free, no restrictions.
Porlock Weir (£5)
The car park at Porlock Weir is £5 overnight (pay at the machine). It's by the harbour, close to the pub (The Ship Inn), and flat. Quiet in the evenings. Toilet block available (locked after 8pm).
Selworthy Beacon (Free)
A large car park at the top of Selworthy Beacon with 360-degree views over the Bristol Channel to Wales. Exposed and windy, but stunning sunrise. Free, no restrictions. Access via a single-track lane from Allerford.
Minehead (£4)
The main seafront car park at Minehead (near the Butlins entrance) allows overnight campervan parking for £4 (pay by phone). Toilets nearby. It's a town car park, not a wilderness spot, but useful for a night before heading onto the moor.
Wild Camping (Stealth)
Exmoor's coastline has several areas where discrete wild camping is common. These are not legal (like Dartmoor) but tolerated if you follow the rules:
- Bossington Hill — the NT land above Porlock Bay. Park at the bottom, walk up. Sleep in the van at the top car park. Nobody bothers you.
- Culbone Hill — the road through the woods above Culbone Church (the smallest church in England). Quiet, dark, no passing traffic after 9pm.
- North Hill (Minehead) — the NT car parks on the road up North Hill are used by campervans overnight. The views over Minehead Bay are excellent.
Best Walks from Your Van
Valley of Rocks (1.5 miles, easy)
Park at the Valley of Rocks car park (Lynton, free). A flat walk through a dry valley with wild goats, dramatic rock formations, and views over the sea. The pub (The Valley of Rocks Hotel) is at the start.
Heddon Valley to Woody Bay (4 miles, moderate)
Park at Heddon Valley. Walk down to the coast path and east towards Woody Bay. The path follows the cliff edge with views over the Bristol Channel. Woody Bay has a small beach accessible by a steep path. Return the same way or loop through the woods.
Lynmouth to Watersmeet (2.5 miles, easy)
Park at Lynmouth (pay car park, £4-6). Walk up the East Lyn River valley to Watersmeet House. The path follows the river through ancient woodland. Flat, shady, great for a hot day. Cafe at the end.
Great Hangman (5 miles, strenuous)
Park at Combe Martin (free parking near the beach car park, check signs). Follow the coast path west and up to Great Hangman — the highest sea cliff in England. The climb is steep (250m elevation gain in 1km) but the view is worth it.
Campsites
| Site | Location | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Castle Hill | Lynton | £25 | Good facilities, close to coast path |
| Westernill Farm | Porlock | £18 | Basic field site, quiet |
| Exmoor Camping | Simonsbath | £20 | Central Exmoor, good for hiking |
| Devon Exmoor Camping | Parracombe | £22 | Showers, electric, well-rated |
Most Exmoor campsites are small, family-run, and fill up in summer. Book ahead in July and August.
Practical Tips
Fuel: The petrol stations in Minehead, Lynton, and Porlock are expensive (10-15p more than national average). Fill up before you arrive (the Tesco in Tiverton or Bridgwater is cheapest).
Supplies: Minehead has a Tesco and a large Co-op. Lynton has a small Co-op (limited range, higher prices). Porlock has a village shop (bread, milk, essentials). Stock up before heading onto the moor.
Water: Free public taps at Lynton (Town Hall car park), Porlock (visitor centre car park), and Minehead (seafront). No guarantees these are working in winter.
Phone signal: EE works on most of the coast. Vodafone and O2 have signal in towns but lose it in the valleys. Three has almost no signal on Exmoor.
Diesel heater: Exmoor gets cold at night even in summer. June nights are 8-12°C. September-October nights can drop to 3-6°C. A diesel heater or decent sleeping bag is essential outside July-August.
Seasonal Guide
| Season | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Apr-May) | Bluebells in the combes, quieter, lambs | Unpredictable weather, some NT car parks not yet open |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | Best weather, all facilities open, swimming | Busier (by Exmoor standards), midges in valleys |
| Autumn (Sep-Oct) | Stag rut on the moor, fewer people, golden light | Colder nights, shorter days |
| Winter (Nov-Feb) | Empty roads, dramatic storms, cheap campsites | Short days, many attractions closed, some roads flood |
The Exmoor Wild Camping Code
Exmoor's tolerance for wild camping depends on visitors behaving responsibly:
- Arrive after 7pm, leave before 9am — the NT rangers do early morning patrols in summer
- No chairs, tables, awnings — keep it discreet. Sleeping in your van is parking; chairs and tables are camping
- No fires — Exmoor's heathland is a fire risk from March to October. The last wildfire (2023) burned 1,200 hectares
- Take your rubbish home — there are no bins at NT car parks on Exmoor. Overflowing bins kill the tolerance for van parking
- Don't block gates — the landowners use the gates. Blocking them is the fastest way to get the byelaws tightened
Exmoor is one of the last places in England where overnight campervan parking is genuinely low-hassle. The more people respect the code, the longer it stays that way.
