Where Waters Meet
With two rushing rivers – Hoar Oak Water and the East Lyn
River - merging in a series of spectacular cascades and rapids it is hardly surprising
that Watersmeet is one of Exmoor’s most popular visitor’s attractions. Its deep, wooded valley is doubly protected
for not only does it lie within the heart of the National Park 340 acres were
gifted to the National Trust. Watersmeet
House, now a café but originally built as a romantic fishing lodge, and with
car parking nearby makes a good place to begin and end a walk.
For more information take a look at these websites:
National Trust
The Rockford Inn
Exmoor National Park
There are numerous paths that can be taken from here and
most link up to create walks of varying lengths. They hug the valley bottom or rise steeply to
the tops of the surrounding hills so it is possible for almost anyone,
regardless of their ability to have an enjoyable outing. It should be remembered that even in dry
weather the paths can be quite rugged so good, solid footwear is always
recommended. A stout stick or walking
poles won’t go amiss, especially if you choose the hillier paths.
Apart from the noise and excitement of the rivers, the other
awe-inspiring feature of Watersmeet is its woodland which clings to the steep, three
hundred foot sides of the valley. These
are some of the best examples of ‘hanging’ woods in the country and are relics
of the ancient woodland that once covered lowland Britain. Mostly the trees are sessile oak although
there are some fine specimens of beech in the better soil of the valley
bottom. There are also a number of Whitebeam
species that can only be found here or in neighbouring woodlands making them of
national importance.
As soon as you start walking, any crowds are soon left
behind and you have the splendour of the place to yourself. Following the East Lyn River upstream the
remains of a nineteenth century lime kiln can be explored. Lime was brought by sea from Wales to be
burned before spreading onto the fields to counteract the land’s extreme
acidity. Fuel for the kilns was provided
by the woodland which was coppiced and some of this timber was also sent back
to Wales to be used in the iron foundries.
Wildlife abounds;
there are dippers and herons by the water’s edge, and red deer, badgers and
otters can all be seen by the fortunate few.
On quieter stretches of the river the calls of raven and buzzard can be
heard overhead.
After an hour or so, the tiny hamlet of Rockford appears,
consisting of just a few cottages and an inn - another great excuse for a stop. From here you can trace your route back to
Watersmeet or continue along the river to the village of Brendon to make a longer,
circular walk.
Watersmeet is open to the public all year round and every season has its special moments. In the spring, the valley is lush and green; in summer the sunlight filters through the canopy to play on the water's surface; in autumn there are the changing colours and in winter, the extraordinary beauty of the gnarled trees adorned with grey lichens come to the fore. It needs to be visited more than just once!
National Trust
The Rockford Inn
Exmoor National Park
Look absolutely beautiful and something we Aussies would see on Escape to the Country. This "walking" thing is certainly strange to us. I guess its equivalent to our "hiking" but i think the difference might be that yours looks more for relaxed and gentle exercise (not always im sure) but hiking is serious business - or that what it seems to me. With views like that i would want to slow down and breathe it all in, not huff and puff. Cheers from Melbourne, Australia.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lynda, for your comments. You are right, walking is a fairly gentle sport. However, we also have hiking which is far more intense and active. On Exmoor there are plenty of opportunities for both. The size of the hills tend to make walkers and hikers alike huff and puff!
DeleteThat looks a wonderful walk. You were lucky to see a dipper.
ReplyDeleteThere are quite a lot of dippers on the Exmoor rivers so the chances of seeing them are quite great - providing you walk quietly, of course!
DeleteSo wonderful post. All the nature are so beautiful. And this nature is created by trees. Thinks if this trees are cut off what happened nature. So love our best friends Trees Planet.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more about trees. Part of my work involves tree planting and it is a nice feeling planting something for posterity.
ReplyDelete