Exmoor, North Devon and Somerset

North Devon contains a quarter of Exmoor National Park and has a wonderful coastal landscape, with moorland rivers draining to a wild rocky coastline with sandy beaches, attractive harbour towns, rocky headlands and cliffs, and a large estuary.

Somerset as well as being home to the balance of Exmoor National Park is a rural county of rolling hills such as the Mendip Hills and the Quantock Hills Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and large flat expanses of land including the Somerset Levels.

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Lee Bay - North Devon

Lee Bay lies at the foot of a wooded coombe. Borough Wood is a remnant of the ancient broadleaved woodland which once covered vast areas of the land. Many of the hedgerows and garden hedges bear the red blossoms of fuschias which give the area it’s local name of “Fuschia Valley”.
The history of Lee Bay and it's association with the sea is told in part through the cottages perched on the seafront, and the channel etched into the natural beached rocks. Though not a particularly hospitable looking haven for seafarers, it was certainly more friendly than the towering rocks on either side, and small coves like Lee were reasonably accessible for small vessels - making it ideal for smuggling as well as the arrival of coal and lime for nearby limekilns.

North Devon coastal South West Coast Path sea cottage tree Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Heritage Coast coastline seaweed seascape