How about a wildlife safari on Exmoor?

A popular day (or half a day) out for our guests is to book an Exmoor safari.   

We are lucky enough to have not one but two safari companies based in our village:  BarleValley Safaris and Red Stag Safari. 

They are both run by local people who really know the moor and can take you to places off the beaten track, where you have the best chance of viewing animal, bird  and plant life. It is always best to book your safari as far in advance as possible, to be sure that your preferred time and date are available.

If you have booked a house party at Exmoor House, you could arrange an exclusive safari just for your group; there are various options for this.

Red deer hinds - photo by Liz Mitchell

You might be lucky enough to see herds of red deer. At this time of year the hinds may have their young with them. In autumn the stags have fully-grown antlers, ready for the rut.

Exmoor ponies wearing their winter coats

Exmoor ponies roam free on the moor and are a beautiful sight.

Deer and ponies are just a couple of well-known examples of the wildlife you could encounter on Exmoor... see our nature calendar for more.

Fancy a break in Exmoor National Park? Do get in touch. You can book with us by phone or via our website.

Red deer rutting on Exmoor

It's the red deer rutting season on Exmoor, as stags round up harems of hinds. Early morning, and evening, are the best time to observe the deer - caution is advised as the stags will charge if you get too close, and they are big! The sight of the stags fighting is quite spectacular - though you may hear their roaring (bolving, or belving, as it's called round here) without actually seeing them.
You can book a wildlife safari through various companies, and there are also guided walks available.
Here at Exmoor House, Wheddon Cross, we're ideally placed for trips out to go in search of the deer herds - right in the heart of Exmoor National Park and just a few miles from Dunkery Beacon. For a great short break on Exmoor, check out our special dinner, bed & breakfast packages - from only £174 for a three night stay.

Red deer rutting on Exmoor

October's the red deer rutting season, and Exmoor is a great place to see (and hear) the stags in all their splendour. Here on Exmoor we have the largest concentration of wild red deer in Europe, as well as fallow deer and roe deer.
The Porlock Visitor Centre organises 'rutting weekends' each year, and there are a number of companies offering 4 x 4 safaris on the moor. The Exmoor National Park rangers also organise escorted walks.
Come and stay at Exmoor House for a few nights (being in Wheddon Cross, we're more or less right in the middle of the national park) and you can go in search of the deer herds...