From the moss-covered ruins of a lost ghost village to lonely ruins on The Chains and prehistoric ridge barrows, Martin Hesp explores four little-visited sanctuaries across Exmoor where the modern world recedes and true wilderness remains.

A BBC Radio 4 play about Exmoor writer Hope Bourne sparked memories of a remarkable encounter on the moors. This personal story reveals her fiercely independent life in a remote caravan, her outspoken views, and the extraordinary resilience that made her one of Britain’s most fascinating countryside voices.

Exmoor’s ancient builders had a problem: no big rocks. While Stonehenge got the glory, our local ancestors had to make do with "micro-monoliths." From the "napping floors" of Hawkcombe Head to the mysterious stone circles near Porlock, I explore why these tiny stones still hold a 7,000-year-old secret about who we really are.

A quick overview all about the ancient village of Dunster in West Somerset

From the red-deer-haunted hills surrounding Dulverton to the medieval splendour of Dunster and the sheer maritime drama of Lynton and Lynmouth, Exmoor’s towns tell extraordinary stories. Journalist Martin Hesp takes a closer look at three famous West Country settlements, uncovering historical poachers, royal sieges, and heroic sea rescues along the way.

Porlock Bay is one of the most exquisite jewels on the West Country coast. Join travel writer Martin Hesp as he visits the historic harbour at Porlock Weir, samples fine Portuguese-inspired dining at the Porlock Weir Hotel, shares chef Miguel Tenreiro’s signature prawn rissole recipe, and tackles the dramatic 7-mile circular coastal hike to Culbone—home to England’s smallest parish church.

In an era dominated by GPS and instant lookup, can true countryside mystery still exist? Martin Hesp revisits his father Peter’s legendary Secret Exmoor walks, uncovering a secluded ring of sunken trees deep in the high moors and reflecting on why some wild, beautiful places deserve to stay hidden.

Quick taster of a helicopter ride across just about all of Exmoor National Park

High on the wind-swept southern ridge of Exmoor stands Bampfylde Clump—a mysterious ring of trees with a dark, chilling reputation. Martin Hesp investigates an unnerving tale of supernatural dread, a lonely moorland pub, and a 19th-century Exmoor mystery.

Few ingredients capture the wild spirit of the West Country quite like grass-fed Exmoor lamb. Journalist and food writer Martin Hesp delves into the traditional farming practices behind this exceptional meat, looking at how heather-rich pastures, slow natural growth, and high welfare shape an unbeatable local flavour.