May Half Term on Exmoor — A Week of Family Adventures
Swap the screens for streams, the sofa for the South West Coast Path, and give your family a half term they’ll actually remember
Browse Family Cottages →May half term falls on Saturday 23 May – Sunday 31 May 2026 for most English schools, giving families a glorious full week to explore. And there’s nowhere better to spend it than Exmoor — a national park where children can build dens in ancient woodland, paddle in wild rivers, spot red deer on the open moor, and fall asleep to the sound of owls rather than traffic.
Late May on Exmoor is something special. The wildflowers are at their peak, the evenings stretch past 9pm, and the daytime temperatures hover around a comfortable 15–18°C — warm enough for beaches and picnics, cool enough for long walks without anyone overheating. This guide covers everything you need to plan the perfect family half term, from outdoor adventures and rainy-day backup plans to the best cottages for your crew.
Image Credit: Neville StanikkYour Half Term Planner
1. Half Term 2026 Dates
May half term 2026: Saturday 23 May – Sunday 31 May
Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 25 May (included in the half term week)
Best booking tip: A Saturday-to-Saturday week (23–30 May) gives you the full break with a leisurely drive down on Friday evening or Saturday morning.
Half term dates can vary slightly between local authorities, so double-check with your school. Somerset and Devon schools typically follow the dates above, making Exmoor especially popular with local families during this week. If you’re travelling from further afield, you’ll benefit from slightly quieter roads than the main summer holidays.
Stay Near Dunster
2. Outdoor Adventures for Kids
Forget theme parks — Exmoor is the original adventure playground. A week here gives children the space to run, climb, splash, and explore in ways that a weekend simply can’t.
Tarr Steps — River Adventures — The famous clapper bridge is an adventure in itself (counting all 17 stone slabs while crossing is a rite of passage), but the real magic is the river. Children spend hours paddling in the shallow pools, building stone dams, and spotting fish. The riverside walk upstream through Barle Valley woodland is flat, easy, and endlessly interesting for young explorers.
Dunkery Beacon — Conquer Exmoor’s Highest Point — At 519 metres, this is a genuinely achievable summit for children aged 5 and up. The walk from Dunkery Gate car park is just 2 miles each way on a clear path, and the views from the top — across to Wales, Dartmoor, and the Quantock Hills — make for a proud family photo. Bring a kite if there’s wind.
Wimbleball Lake — Water Sports & Picnics — Hire kayaks, paddleboards, or rowing boats for the morning, then picnic on the grassy shores in the afternoon. The 3-mile lakeside walk is pushchair-friendly, and the activity centre runs taster sessions during half term. Pre-booking recommended.
Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway — This water-powered Victorian railway has been climbing 500 feet between the twin towns since 1890. Children are fascinated by the mechanics (no engine — just water and gravity), and the views from the top are spectacular. Combine it with an ice cream on the Lynmouth Esplanade.
Stay Near the Adventures
3. Beaches & Rock Pooling
Exmoor’s coastline isn’t buckets-and-spades sandy beaches — it’s wild, dramatic, and far more interesting for curious children. Rocky coves, shingle bays, and tidal pools teeming with crabs, anemones, and tiny fish make every visit an expedition.
Porlock Weir — The harbour is sheltered and safe for paddling, and the rock pools along the shingle beach at low tide are some of the best on the coast. Children love exploring the old harbour walls and watching the fishing boats. The walk along the shingle ridge towards Bossington is a great adventure for older kids.
Lynmouth — The rock pools where the East Lyn River meets the sea are fascinating. At low tide, children can explore shallow pools full of marine life right next to the harbour. The pebbly beach is great for stone-skimming competitions.
Bossington Beach — A wild, atmospheric pebble beach backed by marshland. The 20-minute walk from Bossington village through the nature reserve is an adventure in itself — look out for herons, egrets, and dragonflies. On a clear day, you can see Wales across the Bristol Channel.
Rock pooling tip: The best pools are exposed at low tide — check tide times before you go. Bring a net, a small bucket, and a rock pool identification guide (or download the National Trust’s free one). Always put creatures back where you found them.
Stay on the Coast
4. Wildlife & Nature
Late May is one of the best times of year for wildlife on Exmoor. The whole national park is alive with new life, and children who might normally be glued to screens are suddenly fascinated by the real world.
Red Deer — Exmoor is home to England’s largest wild herd of red deer (around 3,000). Late May means calves are arriving — look for hinds with tiny spotted fawns on the open moor around Dunkery, Winsford Hill, and the Porlock ridge. Early morning and dusk are the best times. Keep your distance and use binoculars.
Exmoor Ponies — The semi-wild Exmoor ponies are a highlight for children. You’ll spot them grazing on Winsford Hill, Withypool Common, and around Haddon Hill. They’re used to people but please don’t feed or touch them — they’re wild animals, not pets.
Exmoor Zoo — For a guaranteed wildlife fix, this small, friendly zoo near Bratton Fleming is home to over 175 species including lynx, wolves, cheetahs, and the famous Exmoor beast cats. Keeper talks and feeding sessions run throughout the day, and there’s an adventure playground for when the animals get boring (they won’t).
Horner Wood — This ancient oak woodland near Porlock is a National Nature Reserve and one of the best places in England to spot woodland birds — pied flycatchers, redstarts, wood warblers, and all three woodpecker species. The riverside walk is flat and perfect for young children, with plenty of opportunities to paddle.
Stay in Porlock
5. Rainy Day Ideas
It’s Exmoor, so let’s be honest — you’ll probably get at least one wet day. The good news is there’s plenty to do when the rain comes in:
Dunster Castle — This medieval castle perched above Dunster village is a National Trust gem. Children love exploring the towers, the gatehouse, and the subtropical garden (which looks even more dramatic in the rain). The castle often runs half-term trails and activities.
West Somerset Railway — Take a heritage steam train from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard — 20 miles of beautiful Somerset countryside. Children get to ride in vintage carriages pulled by a real steam engine. The whole round trip takes about 3 hours, perfect for filling a rainy morning.
Dunster Yarn Market & Village — The medieval village of Dunster is endlessly explorable. The octagonal Yarn Market, the packhorse bridge, the working watermill (which grinds flour you can buy), and the high street full of independent shops can happily fill an afternoon.
Baking & Board Games in Your Cottage — Sometimes the best rainy-day plan is no plan at all. Many of our cottages have log burners, well-stocked bookshelves, and proper kitchens. Pop to the village shop for ingredients, bake a cake with the kids, and enjoy a genuinely lazy afternoon.
Stay for Families
6. Family-Friendly Eating Out
Exmoor pubs and cafes are refreshingly relaxed about children. High chairs, children’s menus, and beer gardens with space to run around are the norm rather than the exception.
The Royal Oak, Withypool — A proper Exmoor pub right in the heart of the moor. Log fires, local ales, hearty food, and a large garden where children can play while you enjoy a well-earned pint. The burgers are excellent.
The Ship Inn, Porlock — A thatched 13th-century inn with a beer garden overlooking the village church. The children’s menu is a proper menu (not just nuggets), and the Sunday roast is legendary. Book ahead during half term.
Cream teas — An essential Exmoor experience. Head to the Harbour Gallery at Porlock Weir, the National Trust tea garden at Bossington, or Reeves Restaurant in Dunster. Children are welcome everywhere, and most places do a smaller portion for little ones. Remember: in Somerset, it’s jam first, then cream.
The Exmoor Forest Inn, Simonsbath — In the very centre of Exmoor, this cosy inn has a children’s menu, a garden with views of the moor, and is perfectly placed for a post-walk lunch. The venison is locally sourced.
Stay in the Heart of Exmoor
7. Bringing the Dog?
Half term with the dog? Exmoor is paradise for four-legged family members. Miles of open moorland, woodland trails, river pools for swimming, and dog-friendly pubs at the end of every walk.
Best off-lead walks: Winsford Hill, Withypool Common, and the moorland above Dunkery Beacon offer vast expanses where dogs can run free (away from livestock). The River Barle at Tarr Steps has shallow pools that dogs adore.
Dog-friendly beaches: Bossington Beach and Porlock Weir have no dog restrictions at any time of year. Minehead’s main beach has seasonal restrictions in summer, but North Hill beach above Minehead is always dog-friendly.
Dog-friendly pubs: Almost every Exmoor pub welcomes dogs — the Royal Oak in Withypool, the Ship Inn in Porlock, the Rest and Be Thankful in Wheddon Cross, and the Staghunters Inn in Brendon all have water bowls and treats at the ready.
Important: Between March and July, ground-nesting birds are breeding on the open moor. Keep dogs on leads in areas with skylarks and meadow pipits, and always on leads near livestock and Exmoor ponies.
Stay in Dulverton
Frequently Asked Questions
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