Exmoor National Park Centre, Lynmouth

The centre sits right in Lynmouth, that dramatic coastal village where the cliffs rise up like something from a Turner painting. Inside you get the practical stuff - maps, local knowledge, advice on walking routes across Exmoor - but it's really the starting point for understanding why you've come to this corner of Devon. Staff know the terrain properly and can point you towards walks that actually suit your fitness level, not the overly cheerful guidebook version. The displays cover the moorland ecology and a bit of local history, though nothing that'll keep you riveted for hours. Allow thirty minutes to grab what you need, chat to someone who actually knows the park, and pick up a decent map. It's free, which is the right price for what amounts to a well-organised tourist info stop. Come before a big walk rather than as a destination in itself. The real draw is stepping outside and heading into Exmoor proper - whether that's the coastal path to Forton or inland towards the higher moorland. If you're staying at Lynmouth Holiday Retreat, it's basically on your doorstep, so pop in on a rainy morning or to plan your days properly. Winter quietens the crowds significantly, though coastal villages here are never exactly heaving. Summer weekends can feel a bit rammed with day-trippers.