Withypool is epitome of the quintesencial Exmoor village; and a very historical little place indeed mentioned in the 'Domesday Book. When "Godric" "Dodo" and "Almer" three foresters of 'Widepolla' are mentioned. Withypool, is located slap in the center of Exmoor 'proper'. And it is delightfully unspoilt. Consisting of one shop, and that vital amenity to village life the local Inn, but this is no ordinary Inn, it is mentioned in the Egon Ronay's Michelin good food guide, and as one who has dined there I add my own recommendation: though I suspect you would prefer Egon's to mine. But joking apart, the food alone is well worth the journey but more about the Inn later. There is also a seasonal tea room, which opens late Spring, and closes in the autumn.

Withypool like so many of our villages lies on the beautiful River Barle, and is crossed by a very old but beautiful stone bridge which consists of six arches. Withypool is the ideal for walkers, as it is located in the very heart of Exmoor and one of the most beautiful walks being the one that takes you 9 miles in a roundabout way alongside the River Barle and will lead you to the 'Tarr Steps' an ancient 'clapper bridge' Tarrs Steps is believed to be the only 'clapper bridge' in the country, and is a wonderful sight to behold, as one crosses this historic  bridge one can imagine our ancestors toiling all those centuries ago to construct it. Abroad on Exmoor you just  might come across a chap with an accent as broad as Exmoor it's-self, Johnny Kingdom. John  is a expert on all things Exmoor and a delightful man, who is always willing to stop and chat about the two great passions in his life Exmoor and it's abundant wildlife.

It was in the afore mentioned Inn the Royal Oak that R D Blackmore wrote parts of his best selling novel about dastardly deed in the late 17th Century. Yes Blackmore wrote parts of 'Lorna Doone' here. And in the Royal Oak's attic, the famous and controversial painter 'Alfred Munnings' had a studio.

During the Second World War American Forces trained in the area for the D-Day invasion. The Supreme Commander Allied Forces General Dwight D Eisenhower ( later president of the United States ) planned for  D-Day here in little Withypool. Yes momentous events were being planned,  here in the little picturesque peaceful village of Withypool. For these plans were to set in-motion the greatest armada of ships the world has ever seen. The object to land allied forces on the beaches of Hitlers Fortress Europe. surely the irony of what they were planning and where it was being planned did not go un-noticed. There is a memorial to the brave young men on the American armed forces who participated in the invasion sited on the headland to the North West.

Withypool Circle this is situated on Withypool Common and was believed to be a circle of stones with mystic powers but the real reason for the existence of the stones is lost in time so a mystery they remain: The Caratacus Stone is also on the Common and again it origins are unclear. It may have been erected by clansmen of Cartatacus in the 5th century, for the stone bears an inscription in Latin text which reads 'CARAACI' and 'NEPVS' or 'kinsman of Caratacus', and is thought to refer to a descendant of the famous rebel who fought against the Romans in the 1st century AD.. ( if this stone was erected by clansmen of Caratacus does this not point to the fact that he might have used remote in-hospitable Exmoor as a base? ) Who was Caratacus? Well Caratacus was the male equivalent of Bodicea; well know to history as the 'Warrior Queen of the Iceni Tribe,' and just like Bodicea, Caratacus fought a long hard campaign against the Roman invaders. This campaign was due to the fact that in 42 A.D. The Roman Emperor Claudius ordered the destruction of the ancient Druid religion in Britain who he saw as a threat to Roman rule. A order which not surprisingly the ancient Britons took exception to. This order was to be carried out the Roman Governor of Britain and he  promptly began a campaign to carry out his emperors edict..

Things did not quite go as the Romans planned. They were defeated in a battle by the British Silurian army led by King Guiderius. In a second battle King Guiderius was killed. And his death  led to the chief of the Catuvellauni Tribe being elected Pendragon, And the chief of the Catuvellauni Tribe was no less a man than our hero, Caratacus. After he was elected Pendragon, Caratacus whole-heartedly entered the fight against the Romans. He remained undefeated in 36 battles, over 9 long years. The result of which the Romans tired of the constant warfare sued for peace. However the peace only lasted for 6 months, before hostilities broke out  again. This led to Emperor Claudius himself coming to Britain to lead his Legions. Caratacus was finally defeated in battle in 51 AD. He did not die in the battle though and he managed to escape and sought refuge with Cartimandua, the Queen of the Brigantes a northern tribe . The Roman's captured Caratacus when he was betrayed and handed over to them, by Cartimandua. For Cartimandua had a treaty with the Roman's. Yes folks proof even in 51 A D. politicians existed lol. Caractacus, was then transported to Rome a captive, however his bearing and manner so impressed the Roman's, he was pardoned and lived the rest of his life a free man in Italy.

Yes all in all Withypool with its location and scenery is certainly a delightful place to visit or holiday in with a very long and impressive history.!

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