doone valley

Came across this area by accident, not knowing about this at all, but knowing the Lorna Doone story and having a partner named after the story, we had to go here.Lovely area, beautiful setting. Visit this, it feels like a forgotten part of the world but so stunning in it's setting and the little Lorna Doone gift shop and the next door cafe too. Also the Malmsmead bridge is so ancient and gorgeous, so narrow I did the ford thing and got the car wet!

Simply beautiful rain or shine! A lovely place to walk and enjoy the stunning beauty of Exmoor and imagine the story of Lorna Doone!!

We agree with the previous reviews. This is a stunning part of the world to explore and photograph! Besides what has recently been written, we would add that a visit over the ford to the Lorna Doone Farm gift shop is worth a stop. It is full of interesting and reasonably priced gifts and most helpful and friendly staff. Enjoy this area!

I've been to Exmoor several times before, and this is probably my fourth or fifth visit to Doone Valley, although the first for many years. But it was exactly as I remembered it, and such a pretty walk alongside the river. We started from the car park next to the gift shop, parking is £1.50 all day, and the walk requests a donation of £0.50 per person. We went across a couple of fields with sheep, and walked along the river for a couple of miles, before returning on the same path. All in all it was a very enjoyable 3 hours, totally relaxing, and we were lucky to have gorgeous sunshine. We didn't get to see the church at Oare, but on the way to Doone Valley, we stopped to admire the view and discovered St Brendan's church which is absolutely beautiful and well worth a visit. Living in Somerset, Chris and I are very lucky to have Exmoor so close, my dog loves it, and we will definitely be back.

We parked in cloud farm, people in tents were camping along the riverside, one person had even assembled a hammock, resisted the temptation to topple him over and get in. hehe! It is beautiful, calming, all my inner cobwebs were blown off in the wind. Wandered along the riverside, had a picinic, paddled in the stream. Not usually one to be tempted, but the ice cream from the information centre up on the top road is to die for. I had Chocolate and I mean it was chocolate! Could be used for short or long walks.

We did the full Lorna Doone walk some years ago along the river and over the moors, so we decided we would visit again. This time we just did the walk as far as the ruin of Lornas cottage.it's a beautiful walk with plenty of places for a picnic if the weathers good. Dogs must be on lead at the beginning if you walk along the river (50p charge but you can take an alternative route up the lane to the right of the gate which brings you out further along and the dogs can be off lead. Well worth a visit.

We found a walk in a book ( only 3miles or so) starting in Malmesmead. It was lovely, very enjoyable and varied.You parked there, walked to the cloud farm campsite and turned left up through one of their sheds following signs to Oare church. The path takes you up across fields and then down to the left to the church. Look for the signposts and gates carefully on your left. It then takes you down the lane to lynmouth, across a little stone bridge. Take the path on your left 100 yards away and follow path through conifer plantation and farms back to Malmesmead. We stopped at Cloud Farm for an icecream (didn't look a good place to stop for a proper snack) and walked by the river for a bit too. This was beautiful. This walk took us away from other visiotrs and I'm sure there are lots of wlaks you could do that take you off the usual path.

Doone valley is steeped in history and myth. Even a drive round in the car is worthwhile. There's lots of walking opportunities and you can find many quiet corners to have a picnic or just indulge yourself in the nature. You can also find quite a few places for wild swimming such as Barle. If you are on Exmoor you can't not visit.

All through this part of north Devon the countryside, the moors and coast the views are just stunning. We drove over the hills and moors from Lynmouth, through the valley and Watersmeet (we didn't stop here but if you have time and are able to walk up from Lynmouth it must be worth the effort). We parked in Malmsmead near the bridge, and 'Lorna Doone Farm' gift shop!! I was surprised at having to pay 50p each to enter the field to walk by the river - it's an honesty box but everyone paid. I hope the money is used to preserve the land. The walk even in our cold Easter this year was stunning and lovely. The river babbled away, the trees were trying to blossom, and the sun was shining. The path is grass and clearly marked. It undulates slightly and crosses a few brooks but nothing difficult. We only walked a couple of miles but you could go further. Well worth it.We had a cup of tea at the Cafe Deli in Malmsmead, which is trying to be something it isn't. It's a cross between a contemporary cafe, but is really a walker's haunt, or a day trippers stop. Drinks were expensive (but you are miles from anywhere and captive!) but the selection of cakes was good, as was the cafe menu including breakfasts, burgers, fish, and sandwiches. Trade was brisk and if you're in the area it's worth the visit. But make sure the owner's children remember what you've ordered before they go around every table trying to find you!!!

We sat on a rock by the river just a little way up from Clouds Farm when two big black eyes appeared staring at us under the overhang not 10 feet away on the other side of the the river, it was a Otter, then all of a sudden it dived into the water and popped back up about 3 seconds later with a small brown trout it seemed not to mind us at all and just carried on eating its afternoon lunch, not very often do you see that, and so close, WONDERFUL.

Parked in Malmsmead and paid to walk by the stream.I have been many times before in spring and mid summer but never in SeptemberWalked up the valley to the bridge near Badgeworthy hill. In the past walked over Brendon common on the way back but this time did a there and back walk. Easy walking with lovely views.Bankings of purple heather, yellow gorse, rowan trees laden with bright red berries,pretty stream, sparrow hawk and buzzard. Also interesting old oak woods whose trunks look good in winter.

This rates as one of the loveliest walks I have ever done. The Doone Valley walk along the river is stunning and secluded. Also a great place to camp by the river at Cloud Farm.

Loved the scenery and the small river that flows through the area. Some character pubs and don't forget the small church, as mentioned in the book "Lorna Doone".

The views are great,the streams full of natural brown trout.Could spend all day taking photos.Go in june or july and you can pick wild blueberrys that have a great taste

After 31 years we re-visted a walk taken on our honeymoon in 1980. The walk up the side of the river was a beautiful as remembered from Malmesmead up the Doone Valley, it brought back lots of lovely memories and made it a very special day.