Withypool is a small moorland village in the heart of Exmoor National Park, set in a beautiful valley where the River Barle flows beneath a handsome six-arched medieval bridge.
The village has been a popular destination for countryside lovers for well over a century. The author R.D. Blackmore, who wrote Lorna Doone, stayed here, as did General Eisenhower, who used the area for D-Day training in the 1940s. At the centre of village life is The Royal Oak Inn, a welcoming 18th-century pub serving real ales, local ciders, and hearty food. The village also has a charming tea room and a small shop and post office selling everyday essentials, local honey, handmade soaps, and art.
Withypool sits at a natural crossroads in central Exmoor, making it an excellent base for exploring the moor in all directions. The River Barle is one of the finest rivers on Exmoor, and the walks along its banks -- south to the ancient Tarr Steps or north to the medieval Landacre Bridge -- are among the most beautiful in the National Park.
The nearest small town is Dulverton (approximately 7 miles), known as the southern gateway to Exmoor, where you will find a mini-supermarket, butcher, post office, chemist, cash machine, and a good selection of independent shops and restaurants. Minehead (approximately 12 miles) has larger supermarkets, petrol stations, and high street facilities.
