Britain’s most underrated national park home as beautiful as Lake District

The great English countryside is renowned for its beauty and charm, and this lesser known destination should be next up on your bucket list. The beautiful national park in the South East of England is one of the few pockets in Britain that doesn’t suffer at the hands of light pollution, meaning the whole sky is lit up with thousands of stars every night. 

Exmoor national park, famous for its wild ponies, is often overlooked by travellers who opt for a classic country escape in the Lake District, but it is time the ethereal views got the credit they deserve. One of the UK’s 15 protected national parks, it holds a prestigious title that accolades its wildlife and history.

Exmoor boasts moorlands as far as the eye can see, secret wooded valleys straight out of a storybook and crystal clear rivers that lead into the sea. Its proximity to the Bristol Channel makes for breathtaking coastal walks, with little seaside villages dotted along the coastline. 

The wildlife of the national park is impressive, and the well-known ponies have a richer history than many may think. The small mountain ponies are native to Britain, and have been recorded in Exmoor as far back as 1086. 

During World War Two, the ponies came close to extinction, after they were regularly stolen for the wartime horse-meat market, during periods of rationing. They were also used by British soldiers as target practice, as Exmoor was a training ground. 

There was a sharp decrease in the ponies’ population, however once the war ceased breeders worked to restore their numbers. Research has been carried out into their origin, however it is still undetermined, with some speculation that they descend from wild horses, and other from domesticated horses. 

As well as horses, Exmoor is home to Britain’s largest land mammal, the red deer. Herds of the deer have populated  Exmoor for centuries, roaming freely on the moors. 

You’re also likely to spot smaller animals, Exmoor is home to thriving communities of otters and dormice. Both of the species are nationally threatened, but the national parks’ rich nature greatly helps their survival. 

For keen birdwatchers, bring some binoculars as Exmoor has it all. Bright blue kingfishers can be seen at multiple lakes and rivers across the region, as well as exciting birds of prey such as buzzards and falcons. 

Nestled in and among the valleys of Exmoor are chocolate box villages, hosting houses adorned with thatched roofs and local pubs perfect for a pint or two. One of the most beautiful towns to pay a visit to is Ilfracombe, a diddy seaside town surrounded by dramatic cliffs. 

The village has all the quaint features you would expect, and fun activities for visitors. In the summer months there are bouncy castles and trampolines for children, as well as a theatre, museum and an award winning Aquarium. 

Ilfracombe village also has secret beaches, which can only be reached by tunnels dug by Welsh miners in the early 19th century. The tunnels were originally formed to create gender segregated tidal pools, so that Victorian men could swim in the nude!