Mill Cottage, Luxborough

Luxborough is a peaceful hamlet in the Brendon Hills of Exmoor National Park, about 6 miles south of Dunster. Three tiny settlements -- Churchtown, Kingsbridge, and Pooltown -- nestle in a wooded valley at 600 feet.

This is a deeply rural corner of Exmoor where farming and forestry have replaced the iron mining that once sustained the community. The ancient Church of St Mary in Churchtown dates back to the 13th century, with a medieval stone cross in its churchyard that is a scheduled ancient monument. Many of the cottages in the area are thatched, and the pace of life is wonderfully unhurried.

The Washford River rises near Luxborough and flows through the valley, giving the hamlet of Pooltown its name from the many pools along its course. The surrounding woodland is rich with wildlife -- red deer, buzzards, and woodland birds are regularly spotted.

Luxborough has no shops or general stores. The nearest everyday amenities are in Dunster (6 miles north), which has a good range of independent shops, a post office, butcher, and galleries. The market town of Watchet (7 miles northeast) and Minehead (9 miles north) offer supermarkets, pharmacies, and a wider range of services.