Rest & Be Thankful

Exmoor National Park


You're likely to find a local crowd in the bar of this agreeable Exmoor coaching inn, where ranks of china mugs dangle from the ceilings and sepia scenes of snowy moorland line the walls. Upstairs the rooms are smoothly comfy – ask for one of the six that overlook Dunkery Beacon, Exmoor's highest point.

It's in the hamlet of Wheddon Cross, 6 miles east of Exford.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Exmoor National Park attractions

1. Holnicote Estate

4.94 MILES

The 50-sq-km Holnicote Estate sweeps southeast out of Porlock, taking in a string of impossibly pretty villages. Picturesque Bossington leads to charming…

2. Watermill

5.04 MILES

Most of the original cogs, wheels and grinding stones continue to rotate in this working 18th-century mill. There's a picturesque riverside tearoom…

3. St George's Church

5.12 MILES

Dunster’s beautiful church dates mostly from the 15th century and boasts an intricately carved fan-vaulted rood screen. Just behind the church is a 16th…

4. Dunster Castle

5.12 MILES

Rosy-hued Dunster Castle crowns a densely wooded hill. Built by the Luttrell family, which once owned much of northern Exmoor, the oldest sections are…

5. Tarr Steps

5.43 MILES

Exmoor's most famous landmark is an ancient stone clapper bridge shaded by gnarled old trees. Its huge slabs are propped up on stone columns embedded in…

6. Exmoor Pony Centre

5.47 MILES

You’ll see them cantering across the open moor, but this is a great way to get up close to Exmoor’s stubby ponies. Originally bred as beasts of burden,…

7. West Somerset Railway

5.66 MILES

The steam trains of this vintage railway are a fine way to see the Somerset countryside. The 20-mile route runs from it's base at Minehead to Bishops…

8. Exmoor Owl & Hawk Centre

5.82 MILES

Catch the owl and bird-of-prey flying show (2pm), book your own hour-long private flying session (from £45), or have the kids hitch a half-hour ride on…