WITHYPOOL - Somersets' Sleepy Hollow

Somerset

WITHYPOOL – Somerset’s sleepy hollow

Nestled within the undulating landscapes of Exmoor’s National park is a tiny village whose simplistic beauty belies a tranquil and modern utopia.
Situated some seventeen miles south west of Minehead, just off the B3223, Withypool lies in the heart of Exmoor. Silent yet enchanting, quiet, but never alone. This quaint little village possesses a blissful innocence. At times the only sounds you hear may be the sheep bleating, the occasional bellow of the Friesians in the nearby field, or the lone rumble of a vehicle as it passes over the cattle grid. You can also hear the chatter of the River Barle as it cascades south towards Tarr Stepps. Cottages converge on the hilltop and just above the general stores, the only shop in the village, you can just pick out the pink and magnolia walls of ‘Moorview’, the delightful cottage where I am staying with my family. This will now be our fifth visit here, and each time we are privileged to witness or discover something new.
If you sit on the bank of the river and look north towards the village, you can understand why the tourists, travellers and backpackers come here. Some come to wander and just spend an hour or so soaking up the calmness, others will holiday here, play in the river and go horse riding and many more will just pass through. But all of them will have observed and appreciated Withypool’s charm.
It is no surprise that the village can now boast an excellent tea room. A great stop off point for the occasional coach party. The village also has a lovely eighteenth century inn ‘The Royal Oak’ where the thirsty can refresh themselves. It is also dog and family friendly.
Look into the heart of Withypool and you will find it has many virtues. Spend some time staring at the gentle river, watch its movement as it flows, and gaze at the water boatmen skimming on the surface and the swarms of tiny insects gathering above the reeds. Throw a piece of bread into the river and watch as it suddenly transforms into a torrent of ripples and savage movement. The fish, the tiny minnows, converge onto the morsel as if fighting for their lives. Like tiny piranha gorging on their supper. Twenty then thirty, ravaging the morsel, then stillness. The bread has been devoured and all that remain are the faint ripples.
The youngsters emerge from the water with their nets. Some triumphant with their catch, if they were quick enough! Looking at each other and comparing the sizes of their catch. There is nothing that can compare to the excitement etched on their faces after they have ‘netted’ their prey.
The Barle glistens in the sunset and heads downstream toward the six arches of the Withypool Bridge, gaining speed as it travels. Then you hear the tiny roar as the water cascades over the edge creating a tiny weir. There is something therapeutic about the sound. The river then continues to flow south east as it heads towards the twiginess of the trees on the river bank. It moves faster all the time as it sears towards the darkness on its journey that will eventually see it drain into the English Channel.
Catch the river at sunset and you might be fortunate to glimpse the Daubentons bat dancing just above the water, where it collects the insects. These bats are just one of fourteen known species within Exmoor National Park.
Just away from the river, you can see the hills peppered with heather, providing welcome shade to the abundant wildlife that roam the moorland landscape. Just over the brow, you might be fortunate to see a family of Exmoor ponies grazing amongst the sheep who also roam freely.
Withypool can’t provide you with the excitement or the peripherals normally associated with the more coastal towns, but what it does give you is, a little oasis of charm. Somerset’s little ‘slumber’. A place to chill, relax, dream and reminisce, Withypool will allow you to conjure up images of British countryside at its best.
Time has no relevance here, so take time to enjoy it. Savour the smells, the cut grass, the dampness of the woodlands and the musty dank odour of the arches. Against a backdrop of of hills and dales that fall into the valley, this cinematic village brings the warmth of summer all year round.

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