Coast & Country
The Coombes of Exmoor Some facts about Exmoor* • • • • • • • •
208 scheduled monuments and 16 conservation areas the largest concentration of Red Deer in England the highest coastal cliffs in England - 800ft 1000 different flowering plants and grasses 750 miles of way marked “Rights Of Way” longest stretch of naturally wooded coastline in the British Isles start of the South West Coast Path, Britain’s longest national trail England’s tallest tree
Exmoor was designated a National Park in 1954; 71% in Somerset and 29% in Devon. The Devon part is to the south and west and includes Ilfracombe, Lynton and Lynmouth on the coast and sweeps down towards Barnstaple across to South Molton and takes in Bampton in the east of the county.
The Coombes The north west of Exmoor is characterized by a number of Devon locations with ’coombe’, meaning ‘a hollow in a hillside’ or ‘wooded valley’, in their name. Ilfracombe – settled since the iron age with hill forts and the landmark Hillsborough Hill (Hele’s barrow) dominating its pretty harbour, the town is best known as a Victorian-style seaside resort and for its controversially designed Landmark Theatre and even more controversial Damien Hirst statue, Verity. Combe Martin – is often known as the longest village in England (but it depends where you take the measurements from!). The narrow valley largely confines the village to a 2-mile long single street culminating in a pretty, sheltered cove. The Pack o’ Cards Inn is a notable curiosity. Constructed to resemble a deck of cards, it stands on a plot measuring 52ft x 52ft, has four floors (representing the suits in a pack), 13 doors on every floor and 13 fireplaces (number of cards in a suit) and, prior to window tax, the panes of glass in all the windows added up to the total of the numbered cards in a pack. Challacombe – a quiet village on the Devon end of the beautiful cross moor road which passes Simonsbath, Exford, Dulverton and Bampton. It has a wonderful 16th century pub with the unique name ‘the Black Venus’ and an historic hill fort at Shoulsbury Castle affording stunning countryside views towards the sea. Parracombe – There are a number of interesting features to the village, including a Norman motte and bailey castle, Holwell Castle, and the Saxon church, St Petrock’s. The Church of St. Petrock was declared redundant in 1969 and was the first to be vested by the Churches Conservation Trust. It is a true treasure. A Grade I listed building dating from the 13th century, it will transport you back centuries. The interior includes 18thC horse box pews, a Georgian pulpit and a screen with an 18thC wooden tympanum above it. *Source www.everythingexmoor.org.uk
22 Helipad - The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine