Dunkery Beacon
Wheddon Cross, United Kingdom
The highest point on Exmoor at 519 m, a heather-covered summit reached by a walk of about 30 minutes from the road at Dunkery Gate.
Dunkery Beacon, at 519 m, is the highest point on Exmoor and the highest natural point in all of Somerset. The summit sits on a ridge about 4.5 km long, and on and near the top there are several Bronze Age burial mounds, including Joaney How and Robin How. In 1932 Colonel W. W. Wiggin gave the summit and about 390 ha of land to the National Trust. On a clear day the view stretches across the Bristol Channel to Wales and to Dartmoor.
The shortest ascent starts at the Dunkery Gate car park and is about 1.2 km long. For a longer outing, start at Webbers Post for a walk of roughly 6 to 8 km. There are no facilities at the summit, so bring water and weatherproof clothing. Choose a clear day for your visit, as the far-reaching view is the main reason for the climb.
- Nearest town
- Wheddon Cross, United Kingdom
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 51.1623, -3.5866
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually June–September. Cold, short days in January–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- United Kingdom: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Drive on the left. Some bridges and tunnels charge tolls.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Wimbleball CampsiteCampsite13 km from Dunkery Beacon · 27 pitchesTentsCaravansMotorhomesShowersToilets
- Warren Bay Holliday VillageCampsite17 km from Dunkery BeaconTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Exebridge Lakeside Club CampsiteMotorhome stopover18 km from Dunkery Beacon · 79 pitchesCaravansMotorhomesShowersToilets
- Lynmouth Holiday ParkCampsite18 km from Dunkery BeaconTentsCaravansShowersToilets
- Sunny Lyn Holiday ParkCampsite19 km from Dunkery BeaconTentsCaravansShowersToilets
- The Camping & Caravanning Club Lynton.Campsite20 km from Dunkery BeaconTentsCaravans
All campsites in United Kingdom · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Dunkery Beacon?
Dunkery Beacon is in Wheddon Cross, United Kingdom, at GPS 51.1623, -3.5866. It is about 4 km from Exford.
Can you camp near Dunkery Beacon?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Horner Wood Scout Campsite, about 4 km away; within 25 km there are 42 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Dunkery Beacon?
Dunkery Beacon is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: North Devon and Exmoor on the Atlantic Highway.
What is there to see near Dunkery Beacon?
Places worth a stop nearby: Tarr Steps (10 km), Valley of Rocks (20 km), Three Cliffs Bay (58 km) and Cheddar Gorge (59 km).
When is the best time to visit Dunkery Beacon?
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually June–September. Cold, short days in January–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)