Dulverton: Walking, River Landscapes and History

Dulverton combines a steeply wooded valley landscape with the River Barle and the River Exe, which meet here. For planning your trip, this opens up various ways to explore: self-guided audio tours through the town, short walks, an extended hike across moorland and ridges, as well as insights into history, crafts and regional traditions. A holiday apartment or holiday cottage in Dulverton can serve as a base for a wide variety of holiday days.

Walking Routes for Short and Long Days

The Dulverton Sound Walks are downloadable, self-guided audio tours. Their content is based on voices from the Exmoor Oral History Archive. Both circular walks begin at the statue of Lorna Doone on Exmoor Lawns and lead through the town. The routes are step-free; each walk takes about an hour. This provides a manageable way to explore Dulverton together while listening to historical voices.

Those looking for a longer hike can plan the Dulverton and Tarr Steps route. It leads over the hills, ridges and moorland above Dulverton and then returns to the town through the wooded valley of the River Barle. The route is 20.3 kilometres long and takes around five to six hours. This difference is important when planning your day: the short audio tour is followed by a compact town walk, while the Tarr Steps route takes up a full day of walking.

A public footpath at the foot of Burridge Woods runs parallel to the River Barle as part of the Exe Valley Way. Dulverton is also a suitable starting point for a circular walk through Burridge Woods on the southern bank of the river, returning via Marsh Bridge.

River, Bridges and the History of the Town

The five-arched Barle Bridge is a stone bridge of medieval origin and crosses the River Barle in Dulverton. It continues to carry vehicle traffic across the river. Another defining historic feature of the landscape is Dulverton’s weir and leat: together, they tell the story of an urban watermill landscape with a history spanning more than 700 years. The leat flows through Dulverton and offers several viewpoints. Historically, it once powered four mills.

The townscape also contains distinctive details. The town hall on Fore Street has free-standing twin external staircases and a covered porch. At the Dulverton Heritage Centre, you can gain insights into the history, natural history and architecture of the surrounding area. These include Granny Baker’s Kitchen, the Dulverton Room and an exhibition on the history of the Exmoor pony. A separate building also houses a complete model of Dulverton’s historic railway station, with moving trains and carriages. The station closed in 1966.

Ponies, Regional Specialities and Market Dates

At the Exmoor Pony Centre in Ashwick near Dulverton, visitors can encounter Exmoor ponies at close range in the yard, paddocks and petting enclosure. The centre also offers taster sessions in a covered riding arena; advance booking is required for these. Those wishing to combine their stay with regional treats can find tours and tastings at the Exmoor Distillery covering the production of gin and rum.

The Dulverton Farmers’ Market takes place on the last Saturday of every month from April to September. It is open from 10:00 to 14:30 at the Lion Stables Car Park. If your stay falls within this period, the market can be included as a separate item in your itinerary between walks, sightseeing in the town and time by the river.

The Right Accommodation for Planning Your Trip

The wide variety of experiences makes it worth choosing accommodation according to the pace of holiday you want. For a shorter day, the Dulverton Sound Walks, the Heritage Centre or the viewpoints along the leat offer specific planning ideas. For an active day, the 20.3-kilometre route, Burridge Woods and the paths along the River Barle take centre stage. Those looking for water-based activities can use the River Barle at Dulverton for canoeing and kayaking. A holiday apartment in Dulverton is therefore particularly appealing if you would like to include the town’s history, nature, river and various types of excursion in your trip planning.

If you would then like to explore other places from the same selection, you can find Holford, Queen Camel, Winsford, Montacute, Lovington, Stawley, Glastonbury and North Petherton here.

For the overarching travel overview: Somerset.