Dunkery Beacon Exmoor
Exmoor's highest point, offering breathtaking 360° views and a chance to see wild ponies amidst ancient history.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Best chance for panoramic views
Dunkery Beacon Exmoor
Best Time
Best chance for panoramic views
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Exmoor's highest point, offering breathtaking 360° views and a chance to see wild ponies amidst ancient history.
"Fantastic views at around 500 feet above sea level. On a clear day you can see Wales."
🎯 Check the Weather First
Views are weather-dependent! Clear days offer stunning panoramas, while mist creates a unique atmosphere.
🚗 Parking & Path Finding
Use the Dunkery Road car park. The easiest path isn't always obvious; try the Exford/Wheddon X road access.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Dunkery Beacon Summit
Summit of Dunkery Hill
Exmoor's highest point offers 360° views, stretching to Wales on clear days. A must-see for any visitor.
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Wild Exmoor Ponies
Moorland surrounding Dunkery Beacon
Keep an eye out for the iconic Exmoor ponies grazing freely on the heather-covered hillsides.
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Ancient Burial Mounds
Dunkery Hill
Discover ancient history with the prehistoric burial mounds scattered across the landscape.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything for Views
Accessing the Summit
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Check the Weather First
Views are weather-dependent! Clear days offer stunning panoramas, while mist creates a unique atmosphere.
🚗 Parking & Path Finding
Use the Dunkery Road car park. The easiest path isn't always obvious; try the Exford/Wheddon X road access.
🥾 Wear Sturdy Footwear
The terrain can be uneven. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for exploring the beacon and surrounding hills.
📸 Capture the Scenery
Bring your camera! The 360° views are incredible, and the landscape inspires artists.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Check the Weather First
Views are weather-dependent! Clear days offer stunning panoramas, while mist creates a unique atmosphere.
🚗 Parking & Path Finding
Use the Dunkery Road car park. The easiest path isn't always obvious; try the Exford/Wheddon X road access.
🥾 Wear Sturdy Footwear
The terrain can be uneven. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for exploring the beacon and surrounding hills.
📸 Capture the Scenery
Bring your camera! The 360° views are incredible, and the landscape inspires artists.
🐎 Spot Wild Ponies
Keep an eye out for the beautiful Exmoor ponies that roam freely on the moorland.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the stunning panoramic views from Dunkery Beacon, especially on clear days when Wales is visible. The opportunity to see wild Exmoor ponies and the historical significance of the ancient burial mounds are also frequently mentioned positives. Some reviewers note that the path from the car park isn't always obvious and that weather significantly impacts the viewing experience.
"Nice view. Takes about 20-30 min to walk from the nearest car park, depending on if you find the right path from the start. Hint: it’s not the one just across the road from the car park. 😉 Turn right, go up the road a bit and take the first path on the left."
Henrik Gravengaard
"Fantastic views at around 500 feet above sea level. On a clear day you can see Wales. On our visit it was raining, but the views were still amazing. We took the shorter, steeper climb, about 20 mins or a longer walk is about an hour."
Roland Samuels
"My wife walked to the top (whilst I waited in the car) and thoroughly enjoyed the fantastic views. Much better on a clear day."
Steve D
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Dunkery Beacon is accessible by car, with a car park available on Dunkery Road. For hikers, various circular routes exist, such as the 13km hike from Wheddon Cross.
Yes, there is a car park on Dunkery Road. From here, it's a short walk to the summit.
While the path directly across from the car park exists, some visitors find the easiest route involves going up the road a bit and taking the first path on the left, or accessing from the Exford/Wheddon X road.
Yes, cycling is possible, and some visitors enjoy cycling up to Dunkery Beacon.
Dunkery Beacon is a prominent point within Exmoor National Park and can be incorporated into longer hikes, including sections of the South West Coastal Path. +1
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Dunkery Beacon is a natural landmark within Exmoor National Park and does not require an entrance ticket.
Dunkery Beacon is accessible at all times as it is an open natural landscape. However, visitor facilities like car parks may have specific operating hours.
Exmoor National Park itself is free to enter. There may be charges for specific car parks or facilities within the park.
While Dunkery Beacon is within Exmoor National Park, it's not directly managed by the National Trust. However, many surrounding areas and walks are, and a membership can be beneficial for exploring the wider region.
While official guided tours specifically for Dunkery Beacon might be limited, local guides and walking groups often organize excursions in Exmoor National Park.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The walk from the nearest car park is relatively short, taking about 20-30 minutes. There are steeper and longer options available, with one longer walk taking around an hour.
From the summit, you can enjoy spectacular 360° panoramic views. On a clear day, you can see across to Wales.
Yes, the shorter walk from the car park is manageable for families. The open space and chance to see ponies are great for children.
There are no specific facilities like cafes or restrooms directly at the summit. Basic facilities might be found in nearby villages or at visitor centers within Exmoor National Park.
The terrain is moorland, characterized by heather and uneven ground. Sturdy footwear is recommended.
📸 📸 Photography
Sunrise and sunset offer the most dramatic light for photography. Clear days provide expansive vistas, while misty conditions can create ethereal, moody shots.
You can capture sweeping panoramic landscapes, close-ups of the heather and ancient mounds, and wildlife like the Exmoor ponies.
The main challenge is the vastness of the view. Using a wide-angle lens can help capture the expansive panoramas.
The summit itself offers the best 360° viewpoint. Exploring slightly off the main path can reveal unique perspectives of the surrounding hills.
Yes, Dunkery Beacon is a fantastic location for astrophotography due to its remote location and minimal light pollution.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
+1 Pack some snacks and drinks, as facilities are limited at the very top, and enjoy the sense of adventure as you reach Exmoor's highest point together. 🚶♀️ Hikers & Walkers
📸 Photographers & Artists
The heather-covered hills, ancient mounds, and the possibility of capturing wild ponies add unique elements to your compositions. Even on misty or rainy days, the atmospheric conditions can create dramatic and moody scenes, as noted by some visitors. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Majesty of Exmoor's Highest Point
+1Reaching the summit provides an unparalleled 360-degree panoramic view. On a clear day, the vista extends for miles, encompassing rolling hills, the Bristol Channel, and even the distant coast of Wales. This expansive view has inspired artists, including landscape painters who have captured its essence.
The experience of standing at the highest point, with the wind in your hair and the vastness of the countryside stretching out before you, is truly memorable. While the views are the primary draw, the journey to Dunkery Beacon is also part of the experience. Whether you choose a challenging hike or a shorter walk from the nearby car park, the surrounding moorland offers a sense of tranquility and connection with nature. Keep an eye out for the native Exmoor ponies, a breed that has roamed these hills for centuries, adding to the wild charm of the landscape.
+1Navigating to and Around Dunkery Beacon
For the more adventurous, Dunkery Beacon can be the destination or a key point on longer hiking routes within Exmoor National Park. One popular option is a 13km circular hike starting from Wheddon Cross, which takes approximately 4 hours to complete.
+1Regardless of your chosen method of arrival, sturdy footwear is highly recommended due to the uneven terrain of the moorland. The experience of reaching the summit, whether after a strenuous hike or a brief stroll, is rewarded with breathtaking views that make the journey worthwhile.
Social
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