Withypool is a small village in a truly beautiful setting within Exmoor National Park. The village is in the Barle Valley with the River Barle running through, the Two Moors Way also passes through the village, a well-marked walking route linking the south Devon and North Devon coasts. To the southwest of the village lie Withypool Common and Withypool Hill. It is believed that the area around Withypool has been inhabited since the Bronze Age, a stone circle can still be seen on top of Withypool Hill.
The village pub is called the Royal Oak Inn and has seen its share of history since its construction in the late 17th century. It is believed that R. D. Blackmore wrote part of the 'Lorna Doone' novel in this bar, and artist Alfred Munnings had a studio in the loft. In the 1930s, the inn was owned by Gwladys and Maxwell Knight, a spy-ring leader and radio broadcaster upon whom Ian Fleming based the character of James Bond's boss, M.
Just two miles upstream from Withypool is the delightful Landacre Bridge, a late medieval five-arch stone bridge, a great place for paddling and picnicing in good weather.