The Luxborough Valley lies to the north side of the Brendon Hills and is probably best approached by either turning north off the B3224. It is a truly lovely place, definitely off the beaten track where you can still experience the feel and atmosphere of rural Somerset.

In the village of Luxborough lies The Royal Oak, a rural Inn of immense character and charm offering a wide selection of Real Ales and an even wider selection of food and fine wines. The Inn’s accommodation is also tastefully decorated and furnished. The Royal Oak is family owned and run and has been extensively refurbished to provide a delightful and relaxing base for visitors to Exmoor.

Here you will find an extensive menu of home cooked fresh food prepared by the award winning Head Chef Tim Sandy. In addition to a wide variety of traditional fare they offer a selection of fresh fish and game specialities which vary from day to day. To accompany your meal choose from an extensive wine list or a selection of real ales. Good food deserves a good setting and the owners have created dining areas with entirely different ambiences to suit your mood.

There are many interesting and varied walks directly from the village with a network of bridle paths and footpaths winding through beautiful woods and hills with breathtaking views across the valley. From behind the Royal Oak you can walk through the edge of Slowley Wood to the top of Monkton Hill to enjoy a panoramic view across Rodhuish Common, the coastal villages to the Bristol Channel and, on a clear day, the coast of South Wales is clearly visible.

As well as being a delightful place in its own right, the Luxborough Valley also makes an excellent centre for touring in this part of Somerset. The Bristol Channel towns and Dunster are close by, as is Exmoor itself and the villages of the Exe valley.

Very picturesque in its own right, the Avill Valley near Wheddon Cross, really comes into its own in the spring, when the banks of the river Avill are carpeted in snowdrops.

Such is the fame of this phenomenon that this section of the Avill is known locally as Snowdrop Valley, and people come from miles around every spring to take a look. In fact, Snowdrop Valley has become so popular that during Snowdrop Valley time a park-and-ride scheme, making use of special pintsized buses, operates from Wheddon Cross.

To the south of the Luxborough Valley, off to the left of the A386, you will find the lovely village of Brompton Regis and the Wimbleball reservoir.

It is a far cry now from the days when reservoirs were concrete lined bowls surrounded by high iron railings and the public barred from setting foot anywhere near their banks, let alone actually getting any enjoyment from the site itself.

Throughout the country water authorities are realising that a lake is a real asset in these days of increasing leisure and awareness of the countryside.

As well as sailing there is an excellent visitor area at the lake, with picnic tables and a small cafe and shop. There is also an angling centre where you can hire rowing boats for fishing if you wish.

You can walk right round the lake if you feel energetic or just stroll along one shore. This is a delightful place to spend a summer afternoon, watching the wildlife and sailing craft.