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.
The Basics:
Experience Type: Walking Holidays
Location: South West, Exmoor National Park
Duration: 7 nights
Accommodation: Cottage
Transport: Car-Free Trips
Level: Active
Group Size: Maximum 8
Pricing & Accommodation: From £925 per person. Shared rooms, single rooms, twin rooms, and double rooms available - see booking calendar for specific dates and pricing.
Booking Calendar…
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 home-cooked 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.
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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Is this trip right for me?
Most people on our trips come on their own
Groups are small, friendly and fully guided
Walking is at a steady pace with regular breaks
There’s no pressure to be super fit or super chatty
If you’re new to Large Outdoors or unsure whether this trip suits you, our Start here page explains how our walking and wild swimming trips work and what it’s really like to join.
Find out more before booking:
https://www.largeoutdoors.com/new-to-large-outdoors-start-here
If you’d prefer to ask a question first, you’re very welcome to get in touch.
Essential Information
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Meeting Time: 5pm
Meeting Location:
Foreland Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage
Foreland Point
Lynton
EX35 6NECRITICAL - PARKING & ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS
Please DO NOT drive to the lighthouse.
Park in the designated car park shown on the map below - there's plenty of free parking available.
DO NOT use a postcode - either use the direct Google Maps link or the What3Words address below, or take care to ensure you're in the correct car park:
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PGrANrizeiLFNVFCA
What3Words: ///sprains.battle.peroxide
Please arrive by 17:00 so we can ferry you down to the lighthouse location.
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Foreland Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage is reached via a series of steps leading down the cliff side. The walk down is worth it though, as the cottage boasts grandstand views (and bags you some extra steps each day - a free mini workout each time we arrive and leave!).
The cottage has been transformed by the National Trust into truly lovely accommodation which retains all the character while offering a cosy lounge, dining area, dedicated games room and balcony. You can also look out at the working part of the lighthouse (minus the foghorn!).
Accommodation Address:
Foreland Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage
Foreland Point
Lynton
EX35 6NERoom Types:
You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a room with one other participant (bathrooms are shared).
Double Rooms (bathrooms are shared with other rooms) sleep up to two participants booking together, with a double bed.
Twin Rooms (bathrooms are shared with other rooms) sleep up to two participants booking together, with two single beds.
Single Rooms (bathrooms are shared with other rooms) are for one participant and have a single bed.
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Included:
7 nights’ accommodation at Foreland Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage.
Home-cooked set 2-course dinners at the accommodation on four evenings.
A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided) and some hot items too.
A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for walks on Days 2 and 3. Please ensure you bring a lunch box or dry bag - to reduce waste, we do not supply cling film or sandwich bags.
Tea (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and squash at the accommodation.
Bedding and a towel - but don’t forget your own toiletries.
Not included:
Travel to and from the meeting location.
Dinner on three evenings - we’ll book a table at a local restaurant to enjoy dinner as a group and you can purchase whatever you fancy from the menu available.
Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.
Bottled water - tap water and squash are available at the accommodation, so please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up and take out with you.
Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation.
Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.
Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.
Booking Calendar!
Booking FAQ’s
Can I book with a deposit?
Yes, if the trip is more than 12 weeks away you can secure your place with a 20% deposit. The balance is due no later than 10 weeks before travel. You will receive a series of reminder emails when the balance is due. If the trip is less than 12 weeks away, the full balance is due at the time of booking.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes – although our system doesn't have a function to do this automatically. If you'd like to split your payments, simply email us (hello@largeoutdoors.com) when you'd like to make a payment. Please don't forget to tell us how much you'd like to pay off the balance and your order number. We'll then send you an email with a secure online payment link.
This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.