A group of hikers standing on a trail near the coast with cliffs, sea, and blue sky in the background.
Group of smiling women hiking along a coastal trail with hills and cloudy sky in the background.
Rugged coastal cliff with yellow gorse flowers, overlooking the ocean under a blue sky.
Group of seven women dressed for hiking, standing on a rocky area outdoors with a lighthouse behind them and the ocean in the background.
Cliff overlooking the ocean with lush green grass, rocky formations, and waves crashing along the shore.
Lighthouse by the sea on a cliff at sunset

Exmoor Coast Walking Holiday – A Week at Foreland Lighthouse

A small-group, fully guided, car-free walking holiday with Large Outdoors, staying for seven nights at the National Trust’s Foreland Lighthouse on the Exmoor Coast, with six full days of coastal walking, station pick-up from Taunton, all local transport included, and a friendly, sociable feel throughout.

Experience Type: Walking Holidays
Location: Exmoor National Park, South West England
Duration: 7 nights
Group Size: 8

 

Walking Grade: Leisurely Plus

Full days of walking across varied terrain, including hills and uneven ground, requiring steady stamina and sustained time on your feet.
See our full walking grade guide.

 

Accommodation: Cottage stay
Transport: Car-free (station collection included)
Meals: Breakfasts, packed lunches and some evening meals included
Price: From £925 per person

Room types available: Shared, Twin, Double, Single

Booking Calendar…

 

This Trip Is For You If…

  • You like the idea of walking straight from the door onto the Exmoor coast, with big views, quiet paths and a real sense of space

  • Staying in a lighthouse on the cliffs feels like part of the adventure, not just somewhere to sleep

  • You enjoy a good day out walking, with a mix of coastal paths, ups and downs, and time to properly explore the area

  • You want a sociable week with a small group, where people quickly get to know each other

  • You’d rather not worry about logistics — once you arrive, everything from transport to routes is taken care of

This Trip May Not Be For You If…

  • You’re after very gentle, flat walking with shorter days

  • You’d prefer a hotel stay with private en-suite rooms and a more traditional setup

  • You want every meal included and structured each evening

  • You’d rather be based somewhere with shops, pubs and facilities right on the doorstep

A group of five people, including two children, standing in front of a stone lighthouse by the waterfront, with mountains and a small town visible in the background on a cloudy day.
Group of eight hikers smiling, standing on a trail with green grass, cliffs, and ocean in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A lighthouse illuminated against the evening sky over the ocean, with a sunset on the horizon and a few stars visible in the sky.
Group of hikers holding trekking poles and smiling around a large sculpture of a human figure made of metallic rods, situated outdoors near a beach with hills in the background.

What’s Included

  • 7 nights staying at Foreland Lighthouse, right on the Exmoor coast

  • Fully guided walking across the week, exploring coastal paths, valleys and moorland

  • All transport during the trip, so once you arrive everything is taken care of

  • Station pick-up from Taunton and return at the end

  • Breakfast each morning

  • Packed lunches on walking days

  • 4 home-cooked meals at the lighthouse

This is a small-group, car-free walking holiday designed to be easy to join and enjoy, with everything organised for you once you arrive

 

What’s Not Included

  • Travel to and from Taunton or the lighthouse

  • Three evening meals (to give flexibility to eat out locally)

  • Drinks and personal purchases

  • Travel insurance

Exmoor Coast Walking Holiday – A Week at Foreland Lighthouse

Spend a full week walking and exploring one of the South West’s most dramatic coastlines, based entirely at a working lighthouse on the edge of Exmoor. This 7-night walking holiday with Large Outdoors is a rare chance to stay at the National Trust’s Foreland Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage, perched high above the sea on England’s highest cliffs.

From this unique clifftop base, we head out each day to explore the Exmoor coastline, wooded river valleys and open moorland, with all transport included once you arrive. The holiday is fully guided, small-group, and car-free, with a mix of classic coastal routes, well-known highlights and quieter sections of path that really show off this part of the coast.

With meals at the lighthouse, relaxed evenings, and a few nights eating out in local pubs along the way, this is a sociable and easy-going walking holiday designed for people who enjoy good company, varied walking, and staying somewhere truly special.

Our expert guide will lead the walks each day, helping you explore the South West Coast Path, the East Lyn Valley, and the moorland of Exmoor. You’ll visit places like Watersmeet, Lynmouth, Valley of the Rocks and Contisbury Common, all while enjoying a social, easy-going atmosphere with others who love the outdoors.

All transport for walks is included once you arrive, and with your host sorting all the food and logistics, you can simply turn up and enjoy. Whether you're travelling solo or with friends, this is a chance to switch off and get to know a lovely part of the UK coastline.

Sunset over ocean with grassy, hilly coastline and power poles along a dirt path.
Group of smiling women and men dressed in outdoor hiking gear standing together on a rocky cliff with sea and blue sky in the background.
Cliffside view of rugged green hills and rocky formations overlooking a blue ocean, with scattered yellow flowers and a partly cloudy sky.
Group of five people sitting at a picnic table near a lighthouse on a cliffside overlooking the ocean.

Suggested Itinerary

Here’s what we’ve got planned - of course, we may have to offer alternatives or make amendments if the weather misbehaves or other unexpected situations arise!

  • We offer a courtesy pick-up from Taunton station at 14:00, with a scenic drive across Somerset and into Exmoor before descending the steep private road down to the lighthouse.

    Arriving by late afternoon, you’ll step into a light-filled lounge with wide sea views and time to settle in, explore the lighthouse grounds, or simply enjoy the setting. After a welcome cuppa, your host will serve a relaxed home-cooked dinner around 19:00, followed by a briefing about the week ahead.

    It’s a memorable first evening in a wonderfully remote location, with no neighbours except seabirds and the sound of the sea below.

  • Over the next six full walking days, we explore the length and variety of the Exmoor coastline, combining classic South West Coast Path sections with inland river valleys, moorland ridges and quiet headlands.

    Several walks set off directly from the lighthouse, following the coast north and south along high clifftop paths with wide sea views and frequent chances to spot seabirds and, on clear days, the Welsh coastline across the channel.

    Highlights and route options during the week typically include:

    Lynmouth, Watersmeet and the East Lyn Valley
    A classic Exmoor route linking coast and woodland, following the river inland through shaded valleys to the National Trust tearoom at Watersmeet before looping back over the headland.

    Lynton and the Valley of the Rocks
    Walking from Lynton along one of Exmoor’s best-known coastal sections, passing through the dramatic rock formations and open grassland of the Valley of the Rocks, with time to explore the area and enjoy the views.

    County Gate and Contisbury Common
    A high-level circuit crossing open moorland and rejoining the coast at the Devon–Somerset border, with long views across Exmoor’s ridges and down into wooded combes.

    Porlock Weir, Bossington and Selworthy
    Exploring the western end of the park, combining shoreline walking around Porlock Weir with gentle inland paths through historic villages, salt marsh and coastal pasture. This area offers a very different feel to the higher eastern cliffs and is a favourite for its variety and character.

    Longer Coast Path Sections
    As the week unfolds, we link together longer stretches of the South West Coast Path, gradually covering much of the Exmoor coastline between Combe Martin, Lynmouth, Countisbury and Porlock, choosing routes to suit the group, the weather and the tides.

    All walks are fully guided, with transport provided as needed to create circular routes or point-to-point days. Distances and pace are flexible, with regular stops, time for photos, and plenty of opportunities for a café or pub stop along the way.

  • After breakfast and packing up, we head back to Lynmouth, where we hop aboard the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway – the world’s highest and steepest water-powered funicular railway, operating since 1890. It’s a brilliant piece of Victorian engineering with stunning views over the bay.

    From Lynton, we follow a short route along the coast through the remarkable Valley of the Rocks – a dry valley with towering rock formations, goats roaming freely, and wide open sea views. The area has long inspired writers and artists, and it's a final highlight before heading home.

    We’ll return to Lynmouth for a final lunch or cuppa (not included), before saying our goodbyes and heading off.

    Dropping those on the train back to Taunton, between 15:00 - 17:00.

  • Most evenings we return to the lighthouse, where your host prepares relaxed home-cooked meals and there’s time to unwind in the lounge, watch the light sweeping the sea, or simply enjoy the quiet setting.

    On three evenings during the week we eat out in carefully chosen local pubs and inns, often stopping for dinner on the way back from a walk. These nights out are a lovely chance to sample local food, support village pubs, and enjoy a change of scene. Dinner out is not included on these evenings, giving you complete freedom to choose from the menu.

    The balance of nights in and nights out works well over a longer stay, keeping the week social but unhurried.

A cozy bedroom with a metal bed frame, striped bedding, and decorative pillows with lighthouse and seaside house prints. Small nightstands with lamps and folded towels sit on the bed, and a window with open shutters lets in natural light.
A bedroom with three beds, each covered with beige and white bedspreads and matching pillows with geometric patterns. There are wooden nightstands with lamps on each side of the room, and a framed black-and-white photo on the pale blue wall above the
A bedroom with a black metal bed frame, a white mattress, and stacked towels. There is a beige decorative pillow on the bed. Next to the bed is a wooden dresser with brass handles. On top of the dresser is a beige table lamp with a rounded white base
A cozy living room with large bay windows overlooking the ocean. The room features a gray sectional sofa with striped pillows and two lanterns on the window sills, creating a relaxing seaside atmosphere.

Essential Information

  • Meeting Time (at the accommodation): 17:00

    Accommodation Address:
    Foreland Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage
    Foreland Point
    Lynton
    EX35 6NE

    Car-Free Option

    We offer a courtesy pick-up from Taunton Station at 14:00.

    From Taunton, we travel together across Somerset and into Exmoor before descending the private road to the lighthouse.

    If you require the station collection, this must be booked in advance.

    Driving & Parking

    Please do not drive directly to the lighthouse.

    Park in the designated National Trust car park (full details provided in your final joining instructions). Parking is free.

    From the car park, we will transfer everyone down to the cottage together.

    Please arrive at the car park by 17:00 so we can ferry the group down at the same time.

    Nearest Train Station

    Taunton (for courtesy pick-up)
    Barnstaple (approximately 1 hour by taxi – taxis must be pre-booked)

    Finish Time

    We aim to finish between 15:00–17:00 on the final day.

    If travelling by train, please book onward travel with flexibility to allow for weather or route changes.

  • Venue:
    Foreland Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage
    Foreland Point
    Lynton
    EX35 6NE

    The cottage is reached via a series of steps down the cliffside. The walk down is well worth it for the views, but please be aware of the steps when packing.

    This National Trust property offers a cosy lounge, dining area, games room and balcony, with views across the Bristol Channel and the working lighthouse nearby.

    Room Types Available (subject to availability):

    • Shared Room (two participants sharing)

    • Twin Room (two single beds for participants booking together)

    • Double Room (double bed for participants booking together)

    • Single Room

    Bathrooms are shared.

  • Included:

    • Accommodation (7 nights)

    • Guided walking throughout

    • 4 dinners

    • 7 breakfasts

    • 6 packed lunches

    • Tea & coffee

    • Bedding & towel

    Not Included:

    • Travel to meeting point

    • Meals not listed above

    • Personal purchases

    • Insurance

    Dietary Information:

    We can provide vegetarian and vegan meals, along with dishes made using gluten-free or dairy-free ingredients. Please select your dietary preference at checkout.

    Meals are prepared in shared kitchens and served in a group setting. While we take care when preparing food, we cannot guarantee the absence of cross-contamination.

    Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate severe allergies or highly specialised dietary requirements. If you have a medical food allergy, please contact us before booking so we can advise whether the trip is suitable.

  • Please refer to our Residential Walking Kit List.

    The compulsory items listed are required for safety and comfort. Every participant must carry the required kit during walks.

  • If your trip is more than 12 weeks away, you can secure your place with a 20% deposit.

    The balance is due 12 weeks before travel.

    If booking within 12 weeks of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking.

    We don’t offer automated instalment plans, but you’re welcome to make ad-hoc payments towards your balance at any time. Simply email hello@largeoutdoors.com with your order number and the amount you’d like to pay, and we’ll send you a secure payment link.

    Travel Insurance

    We strongly recommend that you have suitable travel insurance covering cancellation, medical and emergency expenses, and personal accident.

  • Dogs are not permitted on this trip, except for trained assistance dogs. Please contact us in advance if you intend to travel with an assistance dog.

Still have questions?
See our full FAQ page for general booking and trip information.

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