|  In
1954 the Exmoor region, because of its outstanding natural
beauty, was designated a National Park. Some two-thirds
of the Park is in West Somerset and the remainder in
North Devon. The total area is 265 square miles or 170,000
acres.
This comprises about 40,000 acres of open moorland,
17,000 acres of woodland and the balance is largely
farmland and village. One of the great delights of Exmoor
is its rushing waters, channelled through 300 miles
of major rivers and streams and many hundreds of miles
of smaller tributaries. There are 30 miles of glorious
coastline varying from regularly inundated marshland
just below sea level at Porlock to sea cliffs over 800
feet high.
Most of the moorland area is over
1000 feet high, much of it above 1500 feet with Dunkery
Beacon being the highest point at 1704 feet. Much of
the underlying rock is old red sandstone of the Devonian
era; there are small outcrops of limestone and some
Recent alluvium deposits.
We are therefore fortunate in having
a variety of habitats within Exmoor area which in turn
give rise to a great number of different plants, insects,
birds and animals. All this is a heritage for each of
us to observe and to enjoy, but not to disturb or destroy.
Then all who come may discover the glories and enjoy Exmoor.
Adapted from ‘Exmoor’s Wildlife’
N.V. Allen |
