Exmoor Perambulation

The bounds of the forest were confirmed in 1298. Many of the recorded boundary features can still be identified. Walking the bounds has been revived but makes for a very long walk.

The Active Exmoor Perambulation is one of the most challenging walks in the Exmoor annual calendar and dates back over 725 years! During the 31 miles of cross country walking you will be taking in breathtaking views and accessing parts of the National Park not normally open to the public. The Exmoor Forest refers to the ancient Royal Forest, at the heart of the existing National Park, an area of 20, 344 acres, centering on Simonsbath. The Forest was an area of wild, uncultivated moorland, previously owned and subsequently leased by the Crown. The boundary of the Forest is 32 miles long - in many places, the original boundary wall can be seen and followed.

The Exmoor Perambulation is arguably Exmoor's biggest and longest walking event in the annual calendar. It is steeped in tradition dating back hundreds of years as the Royal Forest of Exmoor's boundaries are trodden by an enthusiastic band of walkers. This 31mile challenge through beautiful, if demanding scenery, is undertaken by about 200 walkers in June each year.

In 1298 a perambulation was made of all the royal forests in Somerset by the view of Macolm de Harleigh and John de Wrothesley for the king and Baldric de Nunnington and Sir Hugh Popham for the county. Sabina Peche was the forester and Gilbert de la Putter the verderers. The bounds of the forest were confirmed on 22 March by a sworn jury consisting of William de Staunton, William Trivet and Walter Loveny, knights, John de Reyny, John de Poleshill, Philip de Woleford, Henry de Grenville, John de Raddington, Richard de Avill, Roger de Mandehulle, Robert de Mandehulle, Robert de Escott, Thomas Terel and Robert de Chubworthy. 

They said that in the reign of Henry III the forest began at Cornesyate [now called Cosgate or County gate] and then by the highway between the king’s demesne and the fee of William de Kitnor as far as the Fifstones and descending by Lillescombe [Lillycombe] as far as the water called Oare and descending beyond the heath as far as the hill called Blakebergh [Black Barrow], proceeding as far as the hill called Osmundebergh [Alderman’s Barrow], thence beyond the heath as far as Spracombesheved [head of Sparcombe], descending as far as the Exe and then by the old ditch as far as Radston [Red Stone], thence between the fees of John Moun and the abbots of Neath as far as Reddeford [Red Ford], thence ascending beyond the heath directly to Schepecombeheved, as far as stone called Deresmarke: and thence beyond the heath between king’s demesne and fee of the abbots of Neath as far as Stonechiste, thence descending by water of Berghel [Barle] as far as the water of Schurburn, descending by water of Barle which place is called Schurburnessete, thence descending beyond heath directly to the Hockleston and thence descending to Wylleneford {Willingford], by water called Dunmokesbroke [Dane’s Brook], by county boundary as far as Cornesyate where bounds began.

Lands and settlements outside those bounds had been afforested after King Henry’s coronation to the damage of their tenants and were to be deforested namely Kitnor [now known as Culbone], Yarner or Yearnor, Porlock, Bossington, West Luccombe, Wilmersham, Doverhay, East Luccombe, Brockwell and Levecot, Worth, Stoke [now Stoke Pero], Chittisham, Holnicote and Broford, Ford and Stile, Hancombe wood and Dunkery, Elsworthy, Hawkwell and Walles, Cutcombe, Quarme Monceaux, Almsworthy, Exford, Beggar Quarme, Winsford, Withycombe [in Winsford], Howe, Edbrook, Exton, Hawkridge, Landacre, Withypool, Brightworthy,  West Ashway   Liscombe, East Ashway, Telchet and Marsh, Dulverton., Hawkwell and Barlynch priory.

The 31-mile perambulation was revived in 1958 by a group of young people. Since 1983 it has been an annual event attracting about 200 walkers in June.

Please contact - Jeff Cox 017569 520397

The Exmoor Perambulation

See also: For full details look at The Official page for the Exmoor Perambulation

Contributed by: Ellen Killen, Mike Bishop