Exebridge
Tiny hamlet, which lies on the border of Devon and Somerset. In fact, the border is on the bridge which forms the divide between the two counties. There's a pub next to the bridge, the Anchor, which has a pleasant garden running alongside the River Exe.
Exford
About 7 miles from the lovely own of Dulverton, in the heart of Exmoor, Exford stands where the road crosses the old bridge over the River Exe. Well, I say old bridge, but actually it was built in around 1930 on the site of an earlier medieval bridge.
Next to the bridge in the heart of the village, is the 16th. century White Horse Hotel. It looks imposing and expensive, but is in fact, a welcoming hotel which serves a delicious Devon cream tea, and which welcomes dogs.
Curiously, on the other side of the bridge stands this building -
Given the white horse's head statue high up on the wall, I did wonder if it was a precursor to the White Horse hotel opposite, but that is apparently 16th. century, so how old would that make this building? I've not been able to find out anything about it, but it piques my curiosity
Exmoor
Quite my favourite wilderness in the South West, Exmoor straddles North Devon and West Somerset. Partly agricultural land, and partly a treeless wasteland of sedge, it's home to the cute semi-feral Exmoor ponies, which roam freely on the common land.
They have remained largely pure-blooded since the last ice-age, and are unique to Exmoor.
Classified as endangered, they are rounded up once a year to be checked over and for the new foals to be tagged.
Simonsbath
Deep in the heart of Exmoor, Simonsbath stands at a junction of roads. There's plenty of car parking, and a large picnic area and field to play in. There's a pretty river, and an old school, which is being restored. There is also a lovely short woodland walk featuring all sorts of animals and birds carved from rough fallen timber by Mike Leach, who is a National Park Ranger.