Landacre Bridge to Withypool Circular Hike in Exmoor National Park, Somerset
Exploring Exmoor: Landacre Bridge to Withypool Circular Hike
We set off for an Sunday spring time hike in Exmoor National Park, following the stunning Landacre Bridge to Withypool circular route.
Landacre Bridge Circular Walking Route
Exploring Exmoor: Landacre Bridge to Withypool Circular Hike
It was a cold but sunny day, typical of our British spring time and we set off for a hike in Exmoor National Park in Somerset, following the scenic Landacre Bridge to Withypool circular route. Along the way, we made a special stop en-route to check in to see how one of North Devonβs ancient natural wonders, the Flitton Oak tree was doing.
A Moment with the Flitton Oak
The remarkable Flitton Oak, is a magnificent 700-year-old tree near North Molton in North Devon. In 2022, it was nominated for the UK's Tree of the Year award by The Woodland Trust, a testament to its historical and ecological significance. Conservation efforts have been undertaken to help preserve this incredible tree, ensuring it continues to thrive for generations to come. You can learn a little more about these recent preservation efforts here.
Landacre Bridge to Withypool: A Scenic Circular Walk
The Landacre Bridge to Withypool hike is a picturesque loop in Exmoor National Park, with beautiful views of the River Barle and the rolling moorland. Covering approximately 4.7 miles (7.6 km), this moderately challenging route typically takes around two hours to complete although it took us longer as we paused to soak in the scenery or needed to take a break from the slightly hilly terrain. Starting at Landacre Bridge, we parked in the small free car park just to the east of the bridge. This late medieval stone bridge, with its distinctive five arches, is both a scheduled monument and a Grade II listed building, making it a perfect historical starting point for our walk. The landscape and colours at this time of year reminded me of the Scottish highlands at times - just with smaller hills!
Following the River Barle
From Landacre Bridge, we followed the winding trail along the River Barle, which originates near Simonsbath and merges with the River Exe at Exebridge. The Barle Valley is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, home to diverse flora and fauna that add to the natural beauty of the landscape. Several stiles dotted the route, many of which were thoughtfully designed with dog-friendly gaps - much to our relief, as it meant that we didnβt need to lift Zion, our big old Weimaraner, over! The trail led us through open fields, riverbanks, and stretches of moorland, offering a mix of terrains and stunning views at every turn.
While most of the path was well-marked, there were moments where navigation was a bit tricky and we werenβt quite sure where to go. Having a detailed map such as the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL9 Exmoor map or a GPS device is probably recommended to avoid any wrong turns. Some sections, particularly across the meadows, were a bit muddy due to recent weather, but nothing too challenging to navigate at this time of year.
A Stop in Withypool Village
Our next waypoint was Withypool, a picturesque little moorland village nestled in the Barle Valley. This quiet rural spot offered a few welcome places to stop for walkers, including a traditional tea room and the historic Royal Oak Inn. A large group of motorcyclists had gathered on their Sunday outing at the Withypool Tea Rooms, so we opted for a pitstop at the Royal Oak further up the road instead. Sitting outside in the sunshine, we enjoyed a refreshing ginger beer, a pint of Exmoor Sunset IPA, and a delicious shared plate of chunky chips - a well-earned treat after our walk so far!
The Return Journey via Country Lanes and Moorlands
Leaving Withypool, the route ascended via Sparrow Lane and turning left onto Kitridge Lane, still lined with snowdrops and leading us up to another moorland common. This final stretch offered expansive moorland views, a perfect reward for the effort of the fairly steep roads up. From here, the route looped back towards Landacre Bridge descending down Landacre Lane, completing our circular walk. We only encountered two other walkers on the whole route itself, outside of Withypool village, and as we passed one of the smallholdings on Kitridge Lane, a friendly resident came out for a chat about Zion and their eighteen month old working Border Collie who was driving her potty. Perhaps walkers are not too common but they were happy to chat for a while.
Final Thoughts
The routeβs natural beauty and tranquility, make it a good choice for anyone looking to explore Exmoorβs rugged landscapes and with a stop off at Withypoolβs charming old pub, the Royal Oak Inn, it made for a nice day out if you fancy a longer walk.
Useful Information
OS Map: Explorer OL9 Exmoor
Distance: 4.7 miles (7.6 km)
What3Words Starting Point: ///mistress.wipes.mural
Terrain and Access: Fairly easy going, hilly in places, can be a bit muddy after rain, especially in the meadows.
Parking: Small, free car park at Landacre Bridge. No overnight parking allowed.
Food and Drink: Royal Oak Inn, Withypool
