Little House in the Big Woods, Brendon Hill

The region

The Brendon Hills are a range of hills in West Somerset, they merge level into the eastern side of Exmoor and part of the range is included within the Exmoor National Park. The beauty of the hills are definitely worth exploring, but there is also Exmoor National Park on the doors...tep and the Quantock Hills (AONB) within a short drive also.

Clatworthy Reservoir is nearby, just across a few fields. There are seven water inlets but generally, the south bank is considered to be the best area for fishing (licence needed).  Wimbleball Lake is approximately 5 miles away and has a variety of walking and cycle trails plus a range of watersports on offer, such as canoeing, zorbing, windsurfing, paddle boarding, and sailing. 

The ancient harbour town of Watchet is just 7 miles away. It's a small picturesque town nestled on the West Somerset coastline, but packs a lot in! It has an active marina, steam train station, old port, museums, shops, restaurants, pubs and a new community venture with art galleries and not-for-profit cafe.  From Easter onwards there is a  weekly Wednesday market and every first Sunday of the month, there is an eclectic craft, artisan and food market. 

Visit the seaside town of Minehead which is 20 minutes easy drive away.  The town has the oldest links golf course in Somerset, is the terminus of the steam railway (with turntable) and offers many attractions with mini golf, numerous pubs and cafes and walks on North Hill with its own herd of Exmoor ponies.

En route to Minehead, why not visit Dunster with it's National Trust castle and famous yarn market.  

Or visit further afield, walk to Heddon's Mouth along the River Heddon with lunch at Hunter's Inn or swim at Woody Bay.  Take the Victorian Clifftop Railway from Lynmouth on the coast to Lynton at the top of the highest seaside cliffs in England.  

For the more adventurous, the award winning surfing beaches of North Devon such as Croyde, Saunton Sands and Woolacombe are a 90 minute drive across the moor.