Exmoor National Park stretches across the Somerset and Devon borders, offering families a rare combination of moorland walking, coastal scenery, and genuine rural quiet - without the resort-town crowds. This guide compares 4 family-friendly hotels in Exmoor, focusing on practical details: parking, room setups, on-site food, and proximity to key family activities like Dunster Castle, the South West Coast Path, and the Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve.
What It's Like Staying in Exmoor
Exmoor is one of England's least-crowded National Parks, covering around 693 km2 of moorland, wooded valleys, and cliff-backed coastline - with no major motorway access, which keeps visitor numbers naturally lower than the Lake District or Peak District. Getting around requires a car; public transport between villages is sparse, and most family attractions are spread across the moor. That said, this very remoteness is the point: families who stay here are trading urban convenience for space, wildlife encounters, and genuinely dark skies at night.
Why Choose Family-Friendly Hotels in Exmoor
Family-friendly hotels in Exmoor tend to be smaller, independently run properties - inns, country hotels, and coastal retreats rather than chain brands. Free private parking is nearly universal, which matters when travelling with children and luggage across a rural park. Nightly rates at Exmoor's family-friendly stays are often lower than comparable countryside hotels in the Cotswolds or Lake District, frequently around 20% less for equivalent room quality, though the trade-off is fewer on-site entertainment facilities - you are expected to find your activity outdoors.
Pros:
- Free private parking at virtually all properties - essential for family road trips
- On-site restaurants and bars remove the need to drive after dark
- Dedicated family rooms with extra beds or interconnecting options widely available
Cons:
- No large hotel chains - limited loyalty programme redemptions or standardised kids' clubs
- Rural locations mean slow or patchy mobile data despite free WiFi on-site
- Limited indoor wet-weather alternatives if the property has no pool or games room
Practical Booking & Area Strategy
Exmoor divides naturally into two zones: the Somerset interior (Dulverton, Withypool, Watchet) and the North Devon coastline (Lynton, Lynmouth, Ilfracombe). Families focusing on moorland walking and Dunster Castle should base themselves inland, while those prioritising beach access and the South West Coast Path will find the northern coastal strip more rewarding. Dunster Castle, Tarr Steps, and the Exmoor Owl and Hawk Centre are among the most popular family-friendly attractions - all reachable within around 30 minutes by car from any of the hotels in this guide. Book at least 8 weeks in advance for July and August stays, when the handful of quality family properties across the park fill quickly; shoulder season (May, June, September) offers better availability and noticeably quieter roads on the moor.
Best Value Family Stays
These properties deliver strong practical value for families - free parking, on-site dining, and family room configurations without a premium price tag.
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1. The Royal Oak Inn
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Check-infrom 16:00 until 21:00Check-outfrom 08:00 until 10:00Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
from£ 156
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2. Raleghs Cross Inn
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Check-infrom 15:00 until 21:00Check-outfrom 08:00 until 11:00Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
from£ 104
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3. Blue Ball Inn
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Check-infrom 15:00 until 22:00Check-outuntil 10:00Hurry – almost gone at this price!
from£ 119
Best Premium Family Stay
For families who want wellness facilities and a private beach alongside their Exmoor base, this coastal hotel stands clearly apart from the inn-style options above.
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4. Sandy Cove Hotel
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Check-infrom 16:00 until 23:59Check-outfrom 08:00 until 11:00Rooms filling fast – secure the best rate!
from£ 201
Best Time to Book a Family Stay in Exmoor
Exmoor's peak family season runs from late July through August, when school holidays push occupancy at quality family-friendly hotels to near capacity - and rates at smaller inns can spike by around 30% compared to June prices. Late May and September are the most strategic months for families with flexible school schedules: the moor is green, daylight hours remain long, and the coastal paths are far less crowded. The Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve becomes a genuine family activity from October onward, when clear nights and low crowds make stargazing viable - but check that your chosen property has central heating, as moorland temperatures drop sharply. For summer bookings at properties like Sandy Cove Hotel or The Royal Oak Inn, book at least 8 weeks ahead; for shoulder season stays, 3 to 4 weeks is usually sufficient across all four hotels in this guide. A minimum of 2 nights is recommended to justify the drive and to explore more than one area of the park meaningfully.
