Visiting Exmoor by Train: The Best UK National Parks

Taunton: Popular Somerset Arrival Point

There is no mainline rail operating within Exmoor but getting to the national park from further afield is possible on fast, convenient rail services from around the UK. Taunton is a popular gateway to Exmoor, as you can hop on local buses from this station that take you right into the heart of the national park. To reach Taunton, you’ll be travelling on fast Great Western Railway (GWR) services; for example, get from Bristol Temple Meads to Taunton without changing in under an hour.

Barnstaple: Exmoor Access

Another popular way to reach Exmoor is to take the train to Barnstaple, a river-port town in Devon, with a charming train station. Visitors coming to Exmoor from places like Exmouth and Exeter can get to the national park faster on GWR trains. From Exeter St Davids to Barnstaple takes around 1 hour 5 minutes.

Walk the Salt Path

Follow in the footsteps of Raynor Winn and her husband from the immensely popular The Salt Path, which tells their story of walking the South West Coast Path after losing everything. Exmoor’s cliffs, coves, and moorland are truly a place of healing and inspiration for any hikers. Other rambling routes include the glorious Quantock Hills and wild and windy Exmoor.

Get active in Exmoor National Park

For adventurous days out by train, explore Exmoor National Park for activity-packed trips perfectly suited to any mood and activity level and thirst for adventure. If you’re feeling the pull of water, enjoy rivers and lakes, including Heddon Valley, in the West Exmoor coast, which was a favourite landscape of poet William Wordsworth. Or walk around the 2,000 acres of Watersmeet and Countisbury, a wildlife haven with majestic views.

Local bus services ensure Exmoor visitors are well connected. On the Exmoor Explorer, travel from Minehead to Lynmouth, calling at Allerford, Porlock, Culbone, County Gate, and Countisbury, with services running seven days a week. Other bus routes connect Taunton with Minehead, via Bishops Lydeard, Williton, Watchet, Washford, and Dunster.

Once you arrive in the national park, opportunities abound for active travel, thanks to cycle routes such as Sustrans National Route 3 (the Westcountry Way), which winds through Exmoor and links up rail stations at Barnstaple, Tiverton Parkway and Taunton. Hikers also have ample trails to follow to get around the national park.

One of the most stunning landscapes in England, the South West area spanning Exmoor, the Quantock Hills, West Somerset and North Devon is also a hotbed for unique and interesting accommodation options to suit every taste. Whether you’re looking for cosy traditional inns, affordable campsites or self-catering cottages, Exmoor has you covered!

Characterful towns (including some with a railway station) have unique hospitality options, with B&Bs, guesthouses, and hotels all offering a warm welcome and easy access to Exmoor National Park. For a unique luxury experience, stay at Bossington Hall, an Edwardian mansion in Porlock with breathtaking views of Exmoor. Or to go back to basics, try Moor Wood, a scenic campsite above Minehead on the edge of Exmoor National Park.

When is the best time of year to visit Exmoor?

There’s nothing quite like Summer in Exmoor! A wonderful time to get outside and explore miles of open moorland and dramatic coastline, the whole family will find an abundance of events. Everyone can enjoy long days for activity-filled fun, whether cycling or rambling in beautiful Summer air, or making the most of pleasant evenings, dark skies, and minimal light pollution to see thousands of stars.

What to pack on your car-free adventure

Visiting Exmoor by train is a delightful way to experience the great outdoors. Remember to pack comfortable shoes, waterproofs, and (depending on the time of year) warm layers and thermals. While exploring Exmoor, you should also bring a water bottle and travel cup to make sure you stay hydrated on your adventures.

Leave no trace on Exmoor’s natural beauty

At the UK’s most wild landscapes, it is crucial that visitors play their part in protecting nature and biodiversity. Always stick to paths, where appropriate, and take your litter away with you (or better yet, avoid creating waste in the first place). Of course, taking the train to Exmoor is the most sustainable way to start your trip!

Local Information and Visitor Centres

If you ever need any help planning your time in Exmoor, head to one of several visitor centres around the national park for reams of information about activities and more. Read informative displays, consult maps, and get specialist knowledge from friendly staff at Exmoor National Park Centres in Dunster, Dulverton and Lynmouth. Look out too for independently run Visitor Information Centres in Minehead, Porlock, Watchet and Combe Martin.

Buy Cheap Train Tickets

However you plan to spend your national park adventure, make it an affordable trip by taking the train to Exmoor. When you buy cheap tickets from TrainPal, you can save even more on your tickets by booking in advance and adding Railcard or Group Saver discounts. Explore the moors in a more environmentally friendly way without paying more! 

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