Exmoor National Park is striving to attract more visitors, but transport challenges persist. According to the Exmoor National Park Authority’s (ENPA) 2024/25 visitor survey, nearly half of the visitors say nothing would encourage them to reduce their reliance on private cars during their visit.
The survey highlights strong visitor satisfaction, with 99% rating their experience as ‘good’ or ‘very good’. Visitor numbers have climbed above pre-pandemic levels, indicating growing interest in the national park. Most visitors come for walking, sightseeing, dining out, visiting attractions, and wildlife watching.
However, transport remains a significant issue. An overwhelming 97% of visitors arrive by private car, predominantly petrol or diesel vehicles. Public transport usage is minimal, with just 2% arriving by bus, coach, or train, and only 1% traveling on foot or by bicycle. More than 40% of respondents indicated that no measures would persuade them to reduce car use during their stay.
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Visitors identified three key areas needing improvement: more public toilets, better quality local roads, and enhanced public transport options. Popular suggestions to reduce car use include increasing the frequency and reliability of bus and rail services, making roads safer for cyclists, and creating new traffic-free cycle routes, such as the National Cycle Network route between Selworthy and Allerford.
Dan James, ENPA’s enterprise and communications manager, expressed optimism about the feedback: “The strong visitor satisfaction reflects our commitment to making Exmoor welcoming, inspiring, and sustainable. We’ll use these insights to guide future efforts in accessibility, visitor information, and sustainable tourism."
The survey also showed a shift in visitor patterns, with a slight drop in overnight stays offset by an increase in day visits. This trend is attributed to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, energy price pressures, and rising employer national insurance contributions affecting local businesses.
Tourism remains vital to Exmoor, accounting for roughly two-thirds of local employment and providing opportunities for people to connect with nature and improve well-being. ENPA is collaborating with partners on a ‘good tourism plan’ designed to create a sustainable future for Exmoor’s communities, visitors, businesses, and landscapes.