May is, without question, one of the most magical months on Exmoor. The bluebells reach their peak, the dawn chorus is at its loudest, red deer hinds are dropping their calves in quiet woodland clearings, and the longer, warmer days mean you can be out from sunrise to sunset and still not see it all.
Add two Bank Holiday weekends, the legendary Spring Steam Spectacular on the West Somerset Railway, the brutal-but-brilliant Maverick X-Trail at Lynton, and the closing days of the North Devon & Exmoor Walking Festival, and May becomes the perfect month to come and stay. Here’s our guide to the wildlife, events and adventures across Exmoor in May 2026.
Image Credit: Nigel Stone
What’s On This May
- 1. Spring Wildlife on the Open Moor
- 2. Bluebell Woods & Wildflowers
- 3. Maverick Exmoor X-Trail
- 4. Spring Steam Spectacular
- 5. Walking Festival Final Days
- 6. Wildlife Safaris & Birdwatching
- 7. Coast, Rockpools & Wild Swimming
- 8. Dulverton Events
- 9. Porlock Events
- 10. Watchet & East Quay
- 11. Coming in June
- 12. Frequently Asked Questions
You might also enjoy our Bluebells on Exmoor guide, our Spring Wildlife on Exmoor guide, our Top Wild Swimming Spots, and our Best Exmoor Pubs for more late-spring inspiration.
1. Spring Wildlife on the Open Moor
May is the month Exmoor’s wildlife really shows off. The famous Exmoor ponies are foaling, red deer hinds are slipping away into the woodland edges to drop their calves, and the heath is alive with skylarks, stonechats, whinchats and the occasional cuckoo. Early mornings are best — head up onto the open moor at sunrise and you’ll often have it almost entirely to yourself.
Where to Look
Some of our favourite spots for May wildlife:
- Dunkery Beacon & Webber’s Post — the highest point on Exmoor, brilliant for skylarks, stonechats and views of grazing red deer hinds with calves.
- Withypool Common — pure Exmoor pony country, often with foals trotting alongside their mothers.
- Horner Wood — ancient sessile oak woodland alive with pied flycatchers, redstarts and wood warblers in May.
- Porlock Marsh — coastal grazing marsh perfect for redshanks, oystercatchers, curlews and the chance of a roe deer at dawn.
- Tarr Steps & the River Barle — otters, dippers and grey wagtails, and one of the prettiest valleys on the moor in late spring.
For more on what to see and where, have a read of our Spring Wildlife on Exmoor guide.
Stay Near the Open Moor
2. Bluebell Woods & Wildflowers
There are few sights in Britain quite like an Exmoor bluebell wood in early May. The first two weeks of the month are usually peak — the carpets are at their most intense, and the wild garlic gives the air a fresh, peppery edge as you walk. For our complete guide to where, when and how to find them, see our Bluebells on Exmoor — Best Spots & Walks.
Best Bluebell Walks
- Horner Wood, near Porlock — vast sweeps of bluebells under ancient oaks. The walk up to Webber’s Post is unforgettable in early May.
- Dunster Castle Grounds — the Festival of Blossom continues until 20 May, with bluebells scattered through the formal gardens and the park.
- Heddon Valley — National Trust woodland sloping down to the sea, with bluebells, primroses and red campion all at once.
- Hawkcombe Wood, above Porlock — quieter than Horner, just as beautiful.
A reminder — bluebells are protected. Stay on the paths, keep dogs on leads in woodland, and let the next visitor enjoy them too. For more recommended walks, timings and photography tips, head over to our full Bluebells on Exmoor guide.
Stay Near the Bluebells
3. Maverick Exmoor X-Trail
Saturday 2 May 2026 · Caffyns Farm, Lynton
The Maverick Exmoor X-Trail is one of the toughest and most spectacular trail running events in the country. Five distances are on offer — from a manageable 8k for first-timers to “The Beast”, a 50k ultra with a punishing 2,065m of vertical ascent.
All routes start and finish at Caffyns Farm just outside Lynton, climbing onto the high cliffs and dropping into wooded combes with views across the Bristol Channel to Wales. Even if you’re not running, it makes for a fantastic day out as a spectator — especially the finish line atmosphere as runners come in covered in mud and grinning ear to ear.
Stay in Lynton & Lynmouth
4. Spring Steam Spectacular
1 – 4 May 2026 · West Somerset Railway
Britain’s longest heritage railway pulls out all the stops over the May Bank Holiday weekend. The West Somerset Railway hosts visiting locomotives from across the country, an intensive timetable, and special attractions at every station along the 20-mile route from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead.
It’s the highlight of the steam year for enthusiasts, but it’s also a brilliant family day out — trains running every 30–60 minutes mean you can hop on and off at stations like Watchet, Blue Anchor and Dunster as the mood takes you. Pre-book if you can; the weekend regularly sells out.
Stay Near the Line
5. Walking Festival Final Days
29 April – 6 May 2026 · Various locations across North Devon & Exmoor
The North Devon & Exmoor Walking Festival rolls into May with its final week of expertly guided walks. With 32 routes in total — from gentle 4-mile rambles to all-day 10+ mile adventures — the festival is a brilliant way to see corners of Exmoor you’d never find on your own.
Walks are led by Exmoor National Park rangers, wardens and seasoned local guides, and many run on the early-May Bank Holiday Monday (4 May). Highlights of the closing week tend to be the coastal cliff walks (Lynton to Heddon’s Mouth, the Valley of the Rocks), the Dunkery Beacon ascent, and the woodland routes through Horner with the bluebells still in full song.
Stay Near the Walks
6. Wildlife Safaris & Birdwatching
Exmoor Wildlife Safaris
Tuesday – Sunday throughout May · 9:00am & 2:00pm departures · Departs from Dunster
Expert-guided Land Rover safaris across the high moor in search of red deer, Exmoor ponies, buzzards, ravens and rare wildflowers. May is one of the very best months — calving season for the deer, foaling for the ponies, and the moor is at its greenest. Pick-ups available from Wheddon Cross and Exford.
Dawn Chorus Walks
First two weeks of May are the absolute peak for the dawn chorus on Exmoor. The Exmoor National Park rangers occasionally run guided dawn walks — check the National Park events calendar close to your visit. Otherwise, just step out of your cottage at first light and listen.
Spring Birdwatching Hotspots
- Horner Wood — Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart.
- Dunkery Beacon — Whinchat, Stonechat, Skylark.
- Porlock Marsh — Redshank, Oystercatcher, Curlew.
- Lyn Valley — Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Spotted Flycatcher.
Stay Near the Wildlife Hotspots
7. Coast, Rockpools & Wild Swimming
May is when the Exmoor coast properly comes back to life. The water is still bracing — this is the Bristol Channel, after all — but the wild swimming season really begins now, and the rockpools at low tide are at their most colourful with the new spring growth.
Where to Swim
- Lynmouth Bay & the East Lyn — calm sea-pools at low tide, plus the wild plunge pools of Watersmeet a short walk inland.
- Tarr Steps & the Barle — classic river swimming, deep enough in places, with the famous clapper bridge as your backdrop.
- Wimbleball Lake — designated wild swimming venue with safety cover; ideal if you’re new to it.
For more spots and safety tips, see our Top Wild Swimming Spots on Exmoor guide.
Rockpooling at Lynmouth, Lee Bay & Combe Martin
Low tide on a sunny May afternoon is the perfect time to introduce children to the world of chitons, anemones, hermit crabs and shore crabs. Bring nets, buckets and water shoes — and check tide times before you go.
Stay on the Coast
8. Dulverton Events
The “Gateway to Exmoor” has a busy local calendar through May.
Dulverton Farmers Market
Saturday 30 May · 10:00am – 2:30pm · Lion Stables Car Park
The May edition of the monthly farmers market — Exmoor-reared meat, local cheese, freshly baked bread, Exmoor ales, jams and chutneys. The atmosphere on a sunny Saturday morning is one of the best things about Dulverton in spring.
Dulverton Walking Group
Various dates · Open to visitors
The local walking group runs weekly led walks — visitors very welcome. A great way to meet locals and find paths you’d never spot on a map. Check the noticeboard outside the Town Hall or ask at the Visitor Information Centre.
Live Music at the Bridge Inn & Lion Hotel
Both pubs run regular folk and acoustic nights through the spring. Pop in for a pint and stay for the music — very Exmoor.
Stay in Dulverton
9. Porlock Events
Porlock is one of Exmoor’s most picturesque villages, and its community calendar in May is packed.
Porlock Horticultural Society Spring Show
Saturday 17 May · Porlock Village Hall
A lovely village affair — flowers, vegetables, baking, photography and crafts all judged by local experts. Come along to admire the entries and sample the homemade cakes.
Porlock Repair Cafe
Saturday 30 May · 10:00am – 12:00pm · Porlock Village Hall
Bring along anything broken and the volunteer team will help you fix it — clothes, electricals, bikes, toys. Free, with refreshments.
Live Music at The Ship Inn
The 13th-century Ship Inn at Porlock runs regular live music sessions through the spring. The cosy bar with its low beams and inglenook fireplace is one of the most atmospheric pub interiors on Exmoor.
Stay in Porlock
10. Watchet & East Quay
The harbour town of Watchet, on the eastern edge of Exmoor, hosts the award-winning East Quay arts centre — a striking modern building right on the seafront with a year-round programme of exhibitions, workshops and events.
Spring Exhibitions
Throughout May · East Quay, Watchet
May exhibitions typically include works from regional artists, ceramics studios and printmakers. Free to visit, and the on-site Contains Art cafe makes it a perfect rainy-day stop.
Friday Sea Shanty Sessions
Friday evenings · The Esplanade Club, Watchet
A long-running Watchet tradition — locals and visitors gather for a good old singalong of West Country sea shanties. Free, friendly, and very Watchet.
Watchet Carnival Build-Up
Watchet Carnival is one of the West Somerset highlights of the summer. May is when the floats start being built and the town gears up — a great time to visit and pick up the buzz.
Stay in Watchet
11. Coming in June
If you’re planning a late May or early June visit, here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming next:
- Watchet Live — mid-June. A long weekend of live music across the harbour town.
- Exmoor Open Studios — late June. Local artists across the National Park open their workshops to visitors.
- Foxglove Season — the moor’s deep purple foxgloves come into bloom from mid-June, especially stunning along the coastal cliffs.
- Long Summer Evenings — sunset doesn’t fall until around 9:30pm by the longest day. Cottage gardens, BBQs and golden-hour walks.
A Word on the Dawn Chorus
If there’s one thing not to miss in May, it’s the Exmoor dawn chorus. Set an alarm for 4:30am, throw on a coat, and step outside your cottage. Within minutes you’ll hear blackbirds, wrens, robins, song thrushes, willow warblers, chiffchaffs and chaffinches all layering their songs over each other — punctuated by the distant call of a tawny owl heading home or a cuckoo if you’re lucky. The first two weeks of May are the absolute peak. Make a flask of coffee, find a quiet bench, and just listen.
Frequently Asked Questions
