The British Exmoor National Park,once the hunting grounds of the British Royal family, lies in the west of England, separated from Wales by the Bristol Channel. The park, which covers mainly moorland and woodland, is not only about nature as are national parks in the US but it’s a living county with villages, some farms, harbors and even a railroad. Driven by steam the railroad is also part of heritage.

Selworthy

Selworthy is a small village with a beautiful white church and fairytale-like cottages with round chimneys. This shape is typical of the region; the stones here were not easy to cut into a rectangle. A round shape next to the chimney is the bread oven.

Allerford

A little further on is Allerford, with its stone bridge designed for pack horses and a museum with a huge display of artifacts from different eras.

Porlock Weir

Besides a small private fishing museum this tranquil seaside town has some nice cottages rich and a large floodgate, which is meant tot keep the water in the port at low tide, differing ten meters from the high tide from high tide. The door is open and the boats are stranded.

Lynmouth

Compared to Porlock Weir Lynmouth is very developed. In 1952 the two rivers that merge here were blocked by a dam formed by debris that the rivers carried down following a storm. When the dam broke a flood washed over the town killing thirty-four people. A museum tells the story. And again, the port is dry. On a cliff above Lynmouth lies the town of Lynton. The Cliff Railway connects both towns. Driven by water, or rather by gravity. The two carriages of the railway, situated on a slope, are connected with a cable. Both have water tanks. By filling the tank in the upper carriage and letting some water out of the lower one gravity is set to work.

South west coast path

Part of the South West Coast Path goes through Exmoor. A coastline of dramatic cliffs and extensive pebble beaches. And there are the herds of Exmoor Pony's, besides Przewalsky’s horse one of the last breeds of ancient horses.

The West Somerset Railway

This railroad is the crown jewel of the regio. The 36-kilometer (22.75 mile) stretch of rail along ten stations is operated with steam locomotives and historic carriages. The stations have been restored and decorated with old billboards. With a classic cardboard ticket you an ride the trains for a day, stopping at the stations, watching a trains leaving and arriving, visit railway-museums and go on set walks around the stations. Use your timetable well..