The Pony Stalls, Brompton Regis

There is a wide variety of wonderful places to dine out, from country pubs to pretty tearooms. Here are a few favourites:

Tea Rooms & Cafes:

Coffee Couture at Wimbleball Lake 
Dulverton offers The Copper Kettle, The Tantivy and Mad Hatters Tea Room
Tarr Farm Inn, The Exford Bridge Tea Room, Withypool Tearoom, Horner Tea Gardens nestled under Dunkery Beacon and Periwinkle Cottage at Selworthy  are great after a scenic walk.
The medieval village of Dunster offers several cosy cafes.
The Lost Kitchen at Chettiscombe EX16 7PT is well worth finding for freshly prepared Pizzas and leisurely lunches. It's close to Knightshayes Court too.

Pubs & Restaurants:

The Anchor at Exbridge 01398 323 433 www.anchorinnexebridge.co.uk  A relaxed, family friendly riverside pub and restaurant.
The Royal Oak at Luxborough 01984 641498 www.royaloakinnluxborough.co.uk
Also, The Royal Oak at Winsford 01643 851455  www.theroyaloakexmoor.co.uk and The Royal Oak at Withypool 01643 831506  www.royaloakwithypool.co.uk. Very confusing but all good.
Bittescombe Inn in Upton. Newly re opened with its award-winning chef, Olivier Certain. 01398 388 344  www.thebittescombeinn.com
Woods, 01398 324 007 www.woodsdulverton.co.uk award winning dining with excellent wines and 
The Bridge Inn, 01398 324 130   www.thebridgeinndulverton.com both in Dulverton.
Tarr Farm Inn, at Tarr Steps 01643 851 507  www.tarrfarm.co.uk Lovely for a post walk cream tea or cosy evening dining. Excellent locally sourced food.
The Luttrell Inn at Dunster 01643 821 555  www.luttrellarms.co.uk
The Exmoor Forest Inn at Simonsbath 01643 831 341 www.exmoorforestinn.com Using produce reared and grown on the Exmoor Forrest Estate, which own the inn, to serve excellent food.
The Black Venus at Challacombe 01598 763 251 blackvenusinn.co.uk Excellent food in an unpretentious country pub environment
The Rock, Waterrow 01984 623 293  www.rockinnwaterrow.co.uk
Porlock Weir Hotel-for fresh Porlock Weir Oysters farmed only meters away  01643 800 400 www.porlockweirhotel.co.uk
The Valiant Soldier at Roadwater. 01984 640 223 www.thevaliantsoldier.co.uk  A homely, family friendly pub
The Swan at Bampton 01398 328 340 theswanbampton.co.uk
Raleghs Cross Inn-Good for a Sunday Carvery 01984 640 343 www.raleghs-cross.co.uk
Tongdam Thai Restaurant, Dulverton 01398 323 397  www.tongdam.com
The Lethbridge Arms {Thai] at Bishops Lydeard 01823 433 249 thelethbridgearms.co.uk Authentic Thai food served in a beautiful 16th Century village pub

Also,

Exmoor Feasting will make you an amazing Picnic with homemade tasty treats. 07714 266 575  www.exmoorfeasting.co.uk

More details and contact info are provide in the welcome pack inside the cottage.

Takeaways:

Tongdam Thai Restaurant Dulverton 01398 323 397  www.tongdam.com
Fish & Chips from Dulverton 07904 937 956, Bampton 01398 331969 & Wiviliscombe [Kingfisher Chippy] 01984 623 512 
Chinese from Wiviliscombe [Golden Ocean] 01984 624 878
Indian from Wiviliscombe [Taste of India] 01984 624 545 www. tasteofindiata4.co.uk  & Williton [The Bengal Spice] 01984 632 169 www.bengalspicewilliton.co.uk
{Leaflets enclosed in cottage}

Wimbleball Lake Activity Centre is a five minute walk away -  Kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, sailing, archery, high ropes, walking and cycling,  watersports equipment hire, self-launch your own equipment, qualified instructor-led sessions. Email - wimbleball@swlakestrust.org.uk or Telephone - 01398 371460

Exmoor Wildlife Safaris - Your guide will drive you in a Land Rover to the best spots on Exmoor to view red deer, Exmoor ponies and breath-taking landscapes.  
Email: exmoorwildlifesafaris@gmail.com  Tel: 07977 571 494

Exmoor Wellbeing Safaris - Terry will take you to remote locations around Exmoor to relax, enjoy nature and meet new friends in her beautifully customised lorry, ending with a delicious picnic from The Exmoor Feasting Company. https://shiatsuyoga.co.uk/exmoorwellbeingsafari/      terry@shiatsuyoga.co.uk
+44 (0)7961 892526

Exmoor Adventures - Hire an E-Mountain Bike, Kayak, Paddle Board. Tel 01643 805001  Email: info@exmooradventures.co.uk

Crealy Theme Park near Exeter - A great day out with the children.  crealy.co.uk

The Big Sheep Farm & Theme Park near Bideford - Telephone: 01237 472366    Enquiry Email: reception@thebigsheep.co.uk

Exmoor Zoo - Telephone: 01598 763352

Tropiquaria- Wildlife Park near Watchet  01984 640688 www.tropiquaria.co.uk

Quince Honey Farm at South Molton - Learn about bees and honey. Soft Play. Good for rainy day fun. Email: hello:quinchhoneyfarm.co.uk  
Telephone: 01769 572401

Raceworld indoor karting near Exeter - booking@raceworld.info  Telephone: 01395 233397  This is close to Greendale Farm Shop & Café if all the adrenaline makes you peckish.

Devon Activity Centre - Off Road Karting, Quads, Segway, Paintball, Laser Tag etc - www.devonactivitycentre.com

West Somerset Railway info@wsrail.net  01643-704996  or Lynton Railway 01598 763487  www.lynton-rail.co.uk
Both stop at various location and travel through some beautiful countryside.

Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway is a water powered feat of Victorian engineering. www.cliffrailwaylynton.co.uk
The Valley of the Rocks is close by, with it's breath-taking scenery.

Devon Railway Centre & Model World at Bickleigh near Tiverton - www.devonrailwaycentre.co.uk

Dunster Castle, Knightshayes Court, Arlington Court, and Hestercombe Gardens and all within a 45 minute drive.

Allerford Rural Life Museum Museum - 01643 862529   www.allerfordmuseum.org.uk

The are cinemas at Minehead, Lynton and Taunton.

Hop on the Exmoor Coaster open top bus for a trip along the coast stopping at: Lynmouth, Exmoor County Gate, Porlock, Minehead, Dunster Steep & Blue Anchor.    https://www.firstbus.co.uk/adventures-bus/services/exmoor-coaster       hello@adventuresbybus.co.uk

Dulverton &  Dunster are good for a stroll around the shops followed by a cream tea

Dulverton holds a Farmers Market on - 29 July; 26 August and 30 September 2023

Wiviliscombe Farmers Market - 9.30-12.45 Saturdays. Local fish, cheese, bread, veg, flowers, gourmet meals, apple juice and more. While in Wivvy [as the locals call it] Phoenix Kitchen is great for picnic goodies etc.

Swimming Pools in Wiviliscombe, Minehead, Taunton

The annual country shows at Porlock in July, Dunster, Exford  and Brompton Regis in August are a lovely day out to see the best of local livestock and crafts.

 

Walks:

Wimbleball Lake is perfect for a short 10 minute stroll from you door to the café. If you would like to venture a bit further a 30-minute walk (just over a mile) takes you to the dam.
It's worth walking the entire perimeter of the lake. Spend about 3 hours on 'The Lakeside Round Walk' – 9 miles (14.5km).  You'll enjoy long waterside sections, many peaceful woodland trails and views of the River Haddeo. This route is the round the lake walk but there are also a number of cycle trails with cycle hire available too. The three well surfaced trails are great for riders of all abilites.

There are plenty of good horse riding from The Pony Stalls. Stabling and turnout can be arranged.

From Dunkery Beacon, where you will see spectacular views for miles around there are many walks over open moorland down to sea level with some tea rooms and pubs on the way.

From Dulverton to Tarr Steps with it's wooded paths along the river Barle, a bite to eat at Tarr Steps Inn, then up onto open fields.

Walk the ancient Mineral railway line from Raleghs Cross.

The Coldridge Way and South West Coast Path are also close.

Simonsbath to Withypool, travelling past 'Cow Castle' and over 'Lanacre Bridge' and through our other farm 'Pickedstones' is one of my personal favourites, stopping at The Exmoor Forrest Hotel or Withypool for refreshments.

There are so many amazing walks that I could ramble on for ages.  Instead there will be maps and guide books at The Pony Stall so that you can plan you route.

Beaches:

The shores of Wimbleball are very beach-like in summer. But if you are looking for a dose of sea air Minehead and Blue Anchor are just half an hour away.  

For miles of golden sand make the 1 hour trip for Woolacombe, Putsborough, Croyde or Saunton Sands the perfect family day out or surfers paradise.