Exford lies on the River Exe, in the heart of Exmoor National Park. The village brings together two distinct travel interests: paths through farmland and moorland, and buildings and memorial sites with their own histories. The Exford and Dunkery Beacon circular walk starts in Exford; nearby, the Church of St Mary Magdalene, Exford Bridge and Exford Memorial Hall offer different historical perspectives. So if you are considering Exford as a place to stay, you can weigh up the landscape and local history in particular.

Walking from Exford: Dunkery Beacon and Exe Head

The Exford and Dunkery Beacon circular walk starts in Exford and passes through farmland and moorland to Dunkery Beacon. Its circular route and the change between farmland and moorland give the walk its distinctive character, while Dunkery Beacon is its destination. Conditions on the circular walk can change seasonally. Take the time of year into account and check conditions before setting out.

Another walking option is the additional Exe Valley Way link from Exford to Exe Head, the source of the River Exe on the open moorland. This section is listed as 7.5 miles or 12 km. Unlike the circular walk to Dunkery Beacon, this link leads to the river’s source and into open moorland. The two routes therefore differ above all in their destination: Dunkery Beacon on the circular walk, and Exe Head on the additional link. This makes choosing a walk in Exford more straightforward, without conflating the routes.

Church, bridge and remembrance

The Church of St Mary Magdalene brings together several architectural details. Its tower dates from the 15th century; the church also contains design elements by Sir Ninian Comper. A medieval rood screen from West Quantoxhead was reinstalled in the church in 1929. Here, “medieval” describes the age of the rood screen, while 1929 is the date it was reinstalled—two distinct dates relating to the same feature.

Exford Bridge is a road bridge over the River Exe. It was rebuilt in 1930 on a medieval site. Here, too, the structure and its location should be distinguished: 1930 is the year it was rebuilt, while “medieval” describes the site. The bridge adds another perspective to the village’s history: a structural change at an older river crossing.

Exford Memorial Hall was built as a memorial to the ten men from Exford who died in the First World War. Its dedication firmly roots the commemoration in the village and also specifies the number of men honoured. This distinguishes the site from the church and bridge: the focus is not a construction date, but the purpose of remembrance.

Event in August

The Exford Horse Show is an established event held in mid-August. Check the specific date for the year in question before travelling, so you can plan your trip around the actual event date.

Discover more places to visit: Lympsham, Langport, Taunton, Norton St Philip, Wiveliscombe, Maundown, Highbridge, Ditcheat

For the wider travel overview: Somerset.