Bratton Down

Rising above the village of Bratton Fleming on the western edge of Exmoor, this breezy upland ridge offers a grandstand view of the North Devon landscape. While modest in height, its position ensures a commanding sense of space, overlooking the rolling green foothills that bridge the gap between the high moor and the sea.

• •The name is derived from the Old English 'brac' meaning newly broken or cultivated land, and 'tun' for a farmstead, signifying its historical use as reclaimed upland pasture.
• •The hill is home to the Bratton Down Point-to-Point course, widely considered one of the most picturesque horse racing venues in Britain due to its natural amphitheatre setting.
• •From the summit, the view extends north across the Bristol Channel to the distinctive silhouettes of the Brecon Beacons in Wales, while Lundy Island is often visible to the west on a clear day.
• •It serves as a prominent western sentinel for Exmoor National Park, marking the transition from the rugged heather moorland of the interior to the lush, deep-cut valleys of the Bray and Yeo.
• •Visitors should check the local sporting calendar before setting out, as the quiet solitude of this Tump is occasionally replaced by several thousand spectators and a field of galloping thoroughbreds.