Exmoor National Park, located on the coast of South West England, is a stunning patchwork of moorland, woodland, villages, farms, combes (river valleys), coasts and cliffs. Exmoor was established in 1954 and is among Britain's first National Parks. The park's northern border runs along the Bristol Channel and stretches out across the rolling countryside for a total of 267 square miles. Two-thirds of the park lies within the county of Somerset; one third lies within the county of Devon.

The many habitats within the park provide a rich diversity of resources for animals and wildlife. The park is home to 40 species of land mammals, including red deer, Exmoor pony, dormouse, Fallow deer, Roe deer, grey squirrels, hedgehogs and dormice. As many as 275 species of birds have been recorded in Exmoor durin recent decades, 111 of which are known to breed within the park. Among the park's avian inhabitants are the Dartford Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, woodpeckers, nuthatches, buzzards, dippers, goosanders, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, and peregrine falcons.

Close to 1200 species of grasses and flowers have been identified within Exmoor's boundaries. Other flora and fauna include 600 species of lichens and 3634 species of insects. In addition to the well-documented species, there is a phantom creature rumored to roam Exmoor. This animal, known as the 'Beast of Exmoor', is said to be a large cat (possibly a feral black leopard or cougar) that was released in the park in the 1970s. Despite reported sightings and rampant rumors, no convincing evidence of the cat's presence has ever been found.

Approximately one quarter of Exmoor is classified as moor and heath. Moors are habitats characterized by wet, acid soils and are dominated by grasses (such as purple moor grass), sedges (such as deer sedge), and heather. Heaths differ from moors in that they have well-drained soils. Vegetation common to Exmoor's heath habitats include gorse, whortleberry, and bracken.

Exmoor also has over 8,400 hectares of woodlands, some of which have been wooded for more than 200 years (some woods may be thousands of years old). It is these forests of oak, ash, and hazel, that are the most important to wildlife. The park's deer species find shelter in woods as do many birds, small mammals, and butterflies.

Exmoors cliffs which face northward across the Bristol Channel rise to 850 feet. This cliff habitat provides nesting sites for man species of seabirds including guillemots, razorbills, and kittiwakes.

Find out more:

• Geology on Exmoor (Exmoor National Park)
• Wildlife on Exmoor (Exmoor National Park)
• Information About Exmoor (Exmoor National Park)
• Exmoor Wildlife (Visit Exmoor)
• Exmoor (Wikipedia)