NEARLY 100 per cent of visitors to Exmoor in the last year rated their stay ‘very good’ or ‘good’, but feel there could be improvements in public transport, roads, public toilets, and internet connections.

A survey completed over a 12-month period from July, 2024, returned a 99 per cent satisfaction score for the national park.

Visitors were asked why they chose Exmoor, what they were planning while staying, and how they found their experience.

Topping the table of main attractors were landscape and scenery, coastline, tranquillity, wildlife, and opportunities for outdoor activities.

Walking, general sightseeing, eating out, visiting attractions, and wildlife-watching were rated the top five activities.

A national park spokesperson said: “The survey also identified areas for improvement with lower visitor satisfaction around public transport, roads, and public toilets, with a quarter of visitors citing poor digital connections as having an impact on their enjoyment of Exmoor.

“A total of 97 per cent arrived by private vehicle and less than 10 per cent were intending to use public transport during their stay.

The spokesperson said: “Over 40 per cent said nothing would persuade them to reduce their car use, but increased public transport services and greater reliability/quality of public transport would be ‘very likely’ to tempt over a quarter of visitors to use their cars less.”

A further report revealed the number and economic impact of visitors returned to pre-Covid levels last year.

Compared to 2019, visitor days were up 1.4 per cent in 2024 and real term economic impact of tourism was up by two per cent.

Another national park report showed a growth in day visitors, while overnight visits had dropped.

The spokesperson said: “Anecdotal evidence for 2025 suggests a continuation of these trends and challenges, with the cost of living increase denting consumer demand at the same time as businesses face increased operating costs, including utility and employment costs.”

First designated in 1954, the national park has 267 square miles of moorland, woods, and farmland and contains more than 600 miles of rights of way.

In 2011, it was designated as Europe’s first dark sky reserve.

Enterprise and communications manager Dan James said: "We are absolutely delighted to see such positive feedback from our visitors.

“These results reflect the hard work of our teams and partners in making Exmoor a welcoming, inspiring, and sustainable destination.

“We will use these insights to help future generations make the most of this incredible landscape.

“These are challenging times for the tourism sector which contributes to around two-thirds of all employment on Exmoor, as well as providing vital opportunities for people to connect with nature and improve their health and wellbeing.

“We hope these survey results will help shape future initiatives such as improved accessibility and enhanced visitor information.

“The park authority remains committed to ensuring that Exmoor is a welcoming place for all - improving access, promoting well-being, and encouraging tourism.

“We are now working with our partners on a ‘Good Tourism Plan’ to help develop a better future tourism for Exmoor’s communities, businesses, visitors, and landscapes.”