Your Exmoor Summer Starts Here
Long golden days, hidden beaches, riverside walks and cottage gardens made for cream teas. Find your perfect summer cottage with our small local team — and save £20 with code SUMMER26.
Browse Cottages →Summer is when Exmoor is at its most magical. The days stretch long and golden, the heather-clad moors hum with life, and the coastline — from Lynmouth’s wooded cliffs to the wide sands of the Bristol Channel — is made for slow, sunlit days. Whether you dream of wild swimming in a hidden river pool, walking a stretch of the South West Coast Path, or simply reading in a cottage garden with a cream tea, an Exmoor summer delivers.
This guide rounds up the best Exmoor holiday cottages for a summer break — handpicked retreats for couples, spacious homes for families and groups, and characterful boltholes a short stroll from the beach. Every one is exclusively managed by our small, local team. And to help you make the most of the season, we have a little something to share first.
Your Exclusive Summer Offer
£20 Off Your Summer Stay
Use code SUMMER26
Browse Cottages & Book →Valid for stays in May and June 2026. Enter the code when you book online, or quote it when you call us on 01182 300 750.
In This Summer Guide
Prefer to plan around what’s on? Take a look at our guides to Exmoor in May, Whitsun half-term on Exmoor, and Exmoor’s best wild swimming spots for more summer inspiration.
1. Why Summer Is the Best Time to Visit Exmoor
Exmoor packs an extraordinary variety into one small corner of the West Country, and summer is when it all comes together. The national park rolls from high open moorland down through ancient oak woodland to one of the most dramatic coastlines in England — all within a half-hour drive. With daylight stretching past 9pm in June and July, there’s time for a morning on the beach, an afternoon walk, and a sunset pint in a village pub, all in the same day.
It’s the ideal season for the things Exmoor does best: paddling and rock-pooling on the beaches at Lynmouth and Combe Martin, cooling off with a swim at Tarr Steps or Watersmeet, walking the coast path between Porlock Weir and Culbone, and spotting red deer and wild Exmoor ponies out on the moor. Round the day off at one of Exmoor’s best pubs and you’ll see why so many guests come back year after year.
Summer is also our busiest season, so the best cottages — especially those sleeping families or close to the coast — book up early. If you have a particular property or week in mind, it pays to reserve sooner rather than later.
Summer Favourites to Start You Off
2. Romantic Summer Cottages for Two
For couples, summer on Exmoor is hard to beat: long light evenings, quiet lanes, and cottages tucked away where the only sound is birdsong. These three are among our most-loved romantic retreats — each sleeping two, with the kind of peace and privacy that makes a getaway feel like a proper escape. You’ll find more in our collection of cottages for two.
Dunkery View is a charming first-floor apartment near Wootton Courtenay with stunning views towards Dunkery Beacon, Exmoor’s highest point — a superking bed and a well-equipped kitchen make it a wonderful base for walking the moor. The Folly at Bratton Fleming is part of a former mill down a meandering private lane, a true hideaway with easy reach of both Exmoor and the North Devon coast. And The Coach House on the fringes of Dulverton is a characterful 200-year-old conversion with beamed ceilings, a log burner and a private garden — and it welcomes up to two dogs, so no one need stay behind.
Our Favourite Couples’ Retreats
3. Summer Cottages for Families & Groups
Summer is prime time for the big family get-together, and Exmoor has space for everyone. From beautifully converted barns to grand country houses, these cottages give you room to spread out, gardens for the children to run wild, and easy access to beaches, woods and moorland adventures right from the doorstep.
The Piggery near Dulverton is a luxurious barn conversion at Stockham Farm, sleeping six with stunning countryside views and one well-behaved dog welcome — perfect for exploring the Barle Valley and Tarr Steps. Grist Mill in the heart of medieval Dunster sleeps eight, ideal for two families sharing a base within strolling distance of the castle and village. And for a real occasion, Emmett’s Grange at Simonsbath is a spacious country house sleeping thirteen across six bedrooms, with acres of moorland on the doorstep — made for milestone birthdays and multi-generational reunions.
Room for the Whole Group
4. Cottages Near Exmoor’s Beaches & Coast
Exmoor’s coast is one of its great summer secrets — soaring cliffs, tucked-away coves, and harbour towns where the sea is never far away. Base yourself within reach of the water and you can swim, paddle, rock-pool and walk the coast path before strolling back for fish and chips by the harbour.
The twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth, the “Switzerland of England”, are linked by the famous water-powered cliff railway and surrounded by some of the finest coastal scenery in the country. Minehead has a long sandy beach and a traditional seaside buzz, and marks the official start of the 630-mile South West Coast Path; while the quirky harbour town of Watchet, with its marina and arts venues, makes a characterful eastern base.
Cottages a Stroll from the Sea
5. Things to Do on Exmoor in Summer
There’s no shortage of ways to fill a summer’s day on Exmoor. Here are a few of our favourites:
- Wild swimming and paddling — cool off at Watersmeet, the river at Tarr Steps, or Wimbleball Lake. See our guide to Exmoor’s top wild swimming spots.
- Coastal and woodland walks — from the gentle stroll to Tarr Steps to the spectacular cliffs of the Countisbury circular walk.
- Beaches — sandcastles and rock-pooling at Lynmouth, Combe Martin and Dunster Beach.
- Dunster Castle & village — a National Trust gem with gardens, a watermill and a medieval high street.
- Heritage steam trains — ride the West Somerset Railway, Britain’s longest heritage line, from Bishops Lydeard down to the coast at Minehead.
- Wildlife — red deer, wild ponies and rare birds across the moor; the long evenings are perfect for a dusk safari.
- Village pubs & cream teas — round off the day at one of Exmoor’s best pubs.
For families visiting over the school holidays, our Whitsun half-term guide and Exmoor in May guide are packed with rainy-day ideas and events too. For more local know-how, see our Porlock visitors’ guide, Dulverton guide and things to do in Minehead.
Well-Placed for Exploring
6. How to Get £20 Off Your Stay
Booking direct with The Best of Exmoor means you deal with a real local team who know every cottage personally — and right now you can save £20 on your summer break. Simply use code SUMMER26 when you book online, or quote it when you call us on 01182 300 750. The code is valid for stays in May and June 2026.
Not sure which cottage is right for you? We’re always happy to help you find the perfect fit for your dates, group and budget — just get in touch and one of the team will point you in the right direction.
A Tip for Summer Bookings
Exmoor’s most popular cottages — the larger family homes and anything within walking distance of the coast — are often booked months ahead for July and August. If your dates are fixed, reserve early to avoid disappointment. Travelling outside the school holidays? Late June and early September are quieter, often cheaper, and just as beautiful, with the bonus of warm seas and lighter crowds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Book Your Exmoor Summer Escape?
Browse our collection of hand-picked holiday cottages across Exmoor — from cosy retreats for two to spacious family homes. Don’t forget to use code SUMMER26 for £20 off stays in May and June 2026.
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