March on Exmoor | Spring Events & What’s On

March is one of Exmoor’s best-kept secrets. While summer draws the crowds and winter wraps the moor in silence, spring on Exmoor hits a sweet spot that’s hard to beat — the first wild daffodils line the hedgerows, lambs wobble across green hillsides, and the days stretch just long enough for a proper afternoon walk without needing a head torch for the return.

Whether you’re a foodie eyeing up the Taste Exmoor Food & Drink Fair, a stargazer keen to explore Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve, or a family looking for a Mothering Sunday escape, March delivers a packed calendar of events across the national park. This guide rounds up the best things to see and do on Exmoor in March 2026, plus handpicked cottages to make it a proper break.

Please note: Event dates and details were correct at time of writing. We recommend checking directly with organisers before travelling, as schedules can change.

1. Taste Exmoor Food & Drink Fair

When: Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 March 2026 | Where: Porlock Village Hall, Porlock

The Taste Exmoor Food & Drink Fair is one of the highlights of the Exmoor spring calendar. Held in the heart of Porlock, this popular event brings together the best local producers, artisan food makers, and craft drink specialists from across the national park and surrounding area.

Expect to find stalls brimming with Exmoor venison, Somerset cheeses, locally brewed ciders and ales, homemade preserves, freshly baked bread, and plenty of free samples to taste your way around. It’s the perfect opportunity to stock up your holiday cottage kitchen with ingredients you won’t find in the supermarket.

Tip: Combine your visit with a walk along the coast to Porlock Weir — it’s only a mile away and the harbour views are gorgeous in early spring light.

Image Credit: Neville Stanikk

2. Guided Walks & Outdoor Adventures

March is prime walking season on Exmoor. The paths are firming up after winter, the bracken hasn’t grown tall yet (so the views are wide open), and you’ll often have entire valleys to yourself. Several guided walks run throughout the month for those who prefer a knowledgeable local leading the way.

Porlock Pilgrim’s Trail (27–29 March)

This multi-day guided walk follows an ancient pilgrimage route through some of Exmoor’s most beautiful countryside. Covering the trails between historic churches and ancient settlements, it’s a wonderful way to combine walking with local history. The route takes in rolling combes, wooded valleys, and sweeping moorland views.

Valley of Rocks Walk

One of Exmoor’s most dramatic walks is the circular walk from Lynton through the Valley of Rocks. Towering rock formations, feral goats scrambling across the crags, and panoramic Bristol Channel views make this a year-round favourite — but in March, the low spring sun picks out every detail in the rock faces and you’ll have the path largely to yourself.

Minehead Farmers’ Market

Not a walk in the traditional sense, but the monthly Minehead Farmers’ Market (held on the last Friday of the month) is worth building a day trip around. Browse local produce, then follow it up with a stroll along Minehead seafront or a walk up North Hill for views across the Bristol Channel to Wales.

3. Stargazing on the Dark Sky Reserve

Exmoor holds the distinction of being Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve, and March offers some of the best stargazing conditions of the year. The winter constellations are still visible early in the evening, spring constellations are rising in the east, and the longer nights give you plenty of time to settle in before the main event begins.

Stargazing Session — Friday 6 March

The Exmoor National Park Authority runs guided stargazing sessions throughout the darker months. These events are led by experienced astronomers who help you navigate the night sky, identify constellations, and spot planets with telescopes. Sessions are weather-dependent, so keep an eye on the forecast and check with the organisers closer to the date.

Stargazing Supper at Exford — Thursday 12 March (£55)

For something truly special, the Stargazing Supper combines a delicious locally sourced dinner with an after-dark stargazing experience in the village of Exford — right in the heart of the Dark Sky Reserve. At £55 per person, it includes a three-course supper followed by a guided tour of the night sky. It’s an unforgettable evening and makes a brilliant gift or date night.

4. Heritage, History & Culture

Exmoor’s rich history stretches back thousands of years, and March is a wonderful time to explore it — the ancient buildings and atmospheric ruins feel even more evocative when wrapped in spring mist and early morning light.

Yarn Market Hotel Break (9–13 March)

The charming market town of Dunster comes alive in early spring. The Yarn Market Hotel, a historic coaching inn set beside Dunster’s famous octagonal Yarn Market, offers a perfect base for exploring the medieval village. Wander the castle grounds, browse the galleries, and soak in centuries of history over a cream tea.

Photography Walk — Saturday 14 March

Capture Exmoor at its most photogenic on a guided photography walk. Spring light is soft and golden, wildflowers are beginning to emerge, and the landscape offers endless compositions. Whether you’re shooting on a phone or a professional camera, a guided walk helps you find the best angles and hidden spots that casual visitors miss.

Dunster Castle (National Trust)

Dunster Castle stands dramatically above the village with over 1,000 years of history. The subtropical gardens are particularly lovely in March, when camellias and early magnolias bloom against the backdrop of the medieval fortification. Check the National Trust website for opening times, as the castle and gardens may operate separate seasonal hours.

Image Credit: Shaun Davey

5. Mothering Sunday & Family Activities

Mothering Sunday: 15 March 2026

Forget the generic box of chocolates — treat Mum to a weekend on Exmoor instead. A Mothering Sunday escape gives families time together in one of England’s most beautiful landscapes, with enough activities to keep everyone happy from toddlers to grandparents.

Willow Heart Workshop at Quince Honey Farm (15 March)

Treat Mum to a hands-on creative experience at Quince Honey Farm near South Molton. Their Willow Heart Workshop runs on Sunday 15 March (10am–12pm) — a perfect Mothering Sunday activity. The farm itself is a wonderful family day out — watch the bees at work, explore the play areas, and refuel at the Nectary Restaurant. Check their workshops page for booking details.

Cream Teas

Nothing says Mothering Sunday quite like a proper Devon cream tea. Exmoor has no shortage of excellent tea rooms serving warm scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam. Try the tea rooms at Porlock Weir, the cafes in Dunster, or the village tea rooms in Winsford and Selworthy — and yes, it’s cream first in Devon.

Family Walks

For a gentle family walk, the path from Selworthy to the Holnicote Estate takes in thatched cottages, a picturesque church, and stunning views across the Vale of Porlock. The lakeside trails at Wimbleball are also excellent for families, with flat paths, wildlife hides, and a cafe for refuelling.

6. Exmoor Beastie Sailing Race

When: Sunday 22 March 2026, 12 noon | Where: Wimbleball Lake, Brompton Regis

The Exmoor Beastie is one of Exmoor’s quirkiest sporting events — an annual mass Pursuit Race around the Wimbleball reservoir, organised by the Wimbleball Sailing Club. Named after the legendary Beast of Exmoor (the big cat said to roam the moor), it draws competitors from across the South West and it’s a great spectator event even if you’re not a sailor.

Wimbleball Lake sits in a stunning valley setting within the national park, and the surrounding area offers walking trails, a cafe, and a picnic area — so you can easily make a day of it. The Activity Centre, located right on the lake shore, provides information about all the watersports and activities available throughout the year.

7. Spring Wildlife & Nature

March marks the great Exmoor awakening. After the quiet of winter, the moor bursts with new life — and if you time your visit right, you’ll witness some of nature’s most heartwarming moments.

Lambing Season

One of the true joys of a March visit is seeing newborn lambs across the Exmoor hillsides. The farming calendar means lambing typically runs from late February through March, and there are few sights more charming than watching lambs take their wobbly first steps against a backdrop of rolling Devon and Somerset countryside. Drive the lanes between Porlock and Exford or around the Brendon Hills and you’re almost guaranteed to spot them.

Red Deer

Exmoor is home to England’s largest wild red deer herd — around 3,000 animals roaming the moor. March sees the deer beginning to form their spring groups, and early mornings near Dunkery Beacon, Haddon Hill, or the Horner valley offer excellent chances of sighting them. A pair of binoculars and a quiet approach are all you need.

Snowdrops & Spring Flowers

February’s snowdrop displays often linger into early March, particularly in the sheltered combes and churchyards. By mid-March, wild daffodils, primroses, and wood anemones take over, carpeting the woodland floors in the valleys around Horner Wood and Selworthy.

Spring Migrants & Exmoor Ponies

Birdwatchers will enjoy the arrival of the first spring migrants — wheatears on the open moor and chiffchaffs in the woodlands are among the earliest. Meanwhile, the hardy Exmoor ponies — the moor’s most iconic residents — are grazing on the open hillsides all year round. March often sees mares with young foals, making for wonderful wildlife encounters.

8. Easter Holidays

School Easter holidays begin around 27 March 2026, making the last week of the month one of the busiest (and most exciting) times on Exmoor. If you’re planning a family Easter break, now is the time to book.

Easter on Exmoor brings egg hunts at stately homes, special events at local attractions, and longer days that make it easy to pack in coastal walks, cream teas, and wildlife watching. Dunster Castle, Quince Honey Farm, and the West Somerset Railway typically run special Easter programmes — check their websites closer to the date for details.

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9. Where to Stay

Make the most of your March break by staying in one of our handpicked holiday cottages. We’ve selected properties near the key events and locations featured in this guide, so you can spend less time driving and more time exploring.

Browse All Spring Cottages →

Frequently Asked Questions

Plan Your Spring Escape

From the aroma of local cheeses at the Taste Exmoor Fair to the silence of a midnight stargazing session, March on Exmoor delivers a calendar packed with reasons to visit. The lambs are in the fields, the wildflowers are pushing through, the paths are quiet, and the welcome is as warm as ever.

Whether you’re planning a Mothering Sunday treat, an Easter family adventure, or simply a few days of walking and fresh air, a self-catering cottage gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace — with a cosy base to return to at the end of each day.