Pictures of Oare

a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset

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About Oare

When I first chanced upon this little village it was snow covered and the grey clouds above were closing fast on the weak winter sun, the snow clad fields which a few minutes earlier had glistened, now took on a gloomy, forbidding appearance, causing a shiver or two. Thus, it was unsurprising to learn that this was the setting for R.D.Blackmore's famous novel, Lorna Doone.

The novel, initially published in 1869 has always been immensely popular and it is believed that Blackmore wrote most of the book at Parsonage Farm, scene of one of the Doone raids. The parish Church of St.Mary, where Blackmore's grandfather was rector, was the setting for the marriage of John Ridd and Lorna Doone and it was through a window of the chancel that Lorna was shot on her wedding day.

Visitors, who know well this story of dark deeds and romance, travel from far and wide to see for themselves the hauntingly beautiful countryside that R.D. Blackmore portrayed so well. The village of Oare and surrounding lands have long been affectionately known as Doone Valley and as you wander around the pretty lanes, take the path from Malmshead alongside the sparkling Badworthy Water you will see a plaque dated 1969 in commemoration of the book's centenary.

Not just for this brave tale is this beautiful area known for although Oare is a tiny village and consists of little more than a few quaint cottages, a manor house and church, it is blest with being but a stone's throw from the wonderful coastal scenery that stretches from Lynmouth Bay to Porlock Bay and by it's position close to the glories of Exmoor Forest within the Exmoor National Park. This is a truly spectacular region, the valley areas are lush with wild moorland and you are never far from the sound of tumbling water as it rushes it's way through rocky chasms. This is magnificent area, unrivalled in natural beauty and stirring legends, will call you back, time and time again.

OARE information submitted by Terri Walton

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Oare

Watersmeet House	(3.5 miles, 5.7 km, direction W)	Pictures
Lynmouth Foreland Lighthouse	(3.9 miles, 6.3 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Glen Lyn Gorge	(5.1 miles, 8.3 km, direction W)	Pictures
Exmoor National Park	(5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction SE)	Pictures
The Valley of Rocks	(6.3 miles, 10.1 km, direction W)	Pictures
Tarr Steps	(10.5 miles, 16.9 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Dunster Castle & Garden	(12.2 miles, 19.6 km, direction E)	Pictures
Arlington Court	(12.4 miles, 20.0 km, direction W)	Pictures
Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park	(12.4 miles, 20.0 km, direction W)	Pictures
Nash Lighthouse	(15.0 miles, 24.1 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Watermouth Castle	(15.3 miles, 24.5 km, direction W)	Pictures
Ogmore Castle	(19.3 miles, 31.0 km, direction N)	Pictures
Once Upon a Time, Woolacombe	(19.8 miles, 31.8 km, direction W)	Pictures
Old Beaupre Castle	(20.3 miles, 32.7 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Quantock Hills	(20.6 miles, 33.2 km, direction E)	Pictures

All attractions in Oare
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Recommended towns near Oare

Culbone, in the county of Somerset (2.8 miles, 4.4 km, direction E)
A small hamlet that is not accessible by car. St Culbone's Church is the smallest parish church in England.
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Porlock, in the county of Somerset (5.3 miles, 8.6 km, direction E)
Once, long before the 11th-century when the sea receded the village of Porlock was a Port..
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Luccombe, a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset (6.9 miles, 11.2 km, direction E)
There really could be no finer example of the perfect English village than Luccombe..
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Selworthy Green, a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset (7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction E)
Selworthy Green is the start of a picturesque walk through steep woodlands to the gorse-gold and heather clad summit of Selworthy Beacon from which there are magnificent views over the undulating countryside.
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Withypool, a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset (7.8 miles, 12.6 km, direction S)
R.D.Blackmore wrote part of Lorna Doone in the bar of the Royal Oak in Withypool and the famous artist Alfred Munnings had a...
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Winsford, a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset (10.2 miles, 16.5 km, direction SE)
One of the prettiest and most unspoilt of villages, steeped in history and mentioned in the Domesday book
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Minehead, in the county of Somerset (10.3 miles, 16.5 km, direction E)
Minehead is a quintessential English seaside resort on the beautiful Somerset coast whose mild climate has been a magnet for...
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Combe Martin, a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon (13.4 miles, 21.5 km, direction W)
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Mariansleigh, in the county of Devon (16.2 miles, 26.1 km, direction S)
This charming tiny village is set in lovely rural mid-Devonshire countryside within a short distance from the meandering River Mole in the beautiful Mole Valley, and the picturesque Crooked Oak stream.
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Southerndown, in the county of Glamorgan (17.4 miles, 28.0 km, direction N)
The village of Southerndown is set back from the dramatic dry-stone cliffs surrounding Dunraven Bay, these are mostly formed by alternate layers of limestone and shale, which give the cliffs their unusually regular pattern.
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Chittlehamholt, in the county of Devon (18.8 miles, 30.3 km, direction SW)
Chittlehamholt is a lovely peaceful village lying in unspoilt countryside close to the River Taw.
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High Bickington, in the county of Devon (20.7 miles, 33.4 km, direction SW)
High Bickington lies in one of England's most beautiful and relaxing regions, it is a short distance from the meandering River Taw and is ideally set close to both Dartmoor and Exmoor.
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Bridgend, in the county of Bridgend (21.2 miles, 34.1 km, direction N)
The Vale of Glamorgan has some splendid valley's and old market town's. Bridgend is an old established market town with a long history.
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Instow, in the county of Devon (22.8 miles, 36.7 km, direction SW)
Instow is a gorgeous seaside resort with a mass of golden sands backed by a delightful village clambering upwards to meet with fine wooded countryside.
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Appledore, in the county of Devon (23.4 miles, 37.7 km, direction SW)
Appledore is as enchanting as its name. It is a pretty place that shows a host of colourful fishermens cottages in the narrow streets beyond the quay
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All towns in Somerset
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Barnstaple Station	(18.0 miles, 28.9 km, direction SW)
Umberleigh Station	(18.9 miles, 30.4 km, direction SW)
Cardiff International Airport	(20.4 miles, 32.8 km, direction NE)
M4 Junction 37	(21.0 miles, 33.8 km, direction N)
M4 Junction 35	(22.8 miles, 36.6 km, direction NE)
Exeter Airport	(35.4 miles, 57.0 km, direction S)
Oare to London	(156.7 miles, 252.2 km, direction E)

Hotels & Accommodation in Oare

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from Oare center
The Exmoor Manor Hotel	(4.9 miles, 7.8 km, direction W)
Shelleys - A 'Hotel Of The Year'	(4.9 miles, 7.9 km, direction W)
The Tors Hotel	(4.9 miles, 7.9 km, direction W)
The Bath Hotel	(5.1 miles, 8.2 km, direction W)
Glendower House	(10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction E)
Bracken House Country Hotel	(11.4 miles, 18.4 km, direction SW)
Yarn Market Hotel	(12.0 miles, 19.4 km, direction E)
Stoke House Bed and Breakfast	(12.8 miles, 20.6 km, direction SW)
The Langbury	(13.9 miles, 22.4 km, direction E)
The Lion Hotel	(14.0 miles, 22.5 km, direction SE)
All hotels in Oare