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Oare, Somerset - Lorna Doone CountryThis is the very heart of
Doone Country, made famous in the Victorian novel Lorna Doone, A Romance of
Exmoor by RD Blackmore. The novel is set during the turbulent years of Monmouth's
Rebellion (1685) and tells the story of a young farmer of Oare, John Ridd, who
finds romance with the adopted daughter of a family of Exmoor outlaws, the Doones.
The tale of the Doones is said to be culled from real Exmoor history, related
to Blackmore by his uncle, who was for a time rector of Oare church. The real-life
Doones were said to be a band of Scottish outlaws, Stuart sympathizers who fled
to Exmoor, where they preyed upon travellers from a hideout in the remote passes
of Exmoor, beyond Badgworthy Water. Oare is reached off two minor roads
signposted from the A39 near Countisbury. The quickest route is the westernmost
road, but the most spectacular is the eastern one, which delves down a steep,
wooded lane beneath overhanging trees to emerge at Robber's Bridge. Past the scenic
bridge the road narrows for another 1/2 mile until you suddenly come upon Oare
itself, and the small parish church to the left of the road. This is the
church where Lorna Doone was shot by her half-brother Carver while she stood at
the altar to marry John Ridd. A placard indicates the most likely window used
by Carver Doone to fire the shot that (almost) proved fatal to the novel's heroine,
and a memorial to the author RD Blackmore is set into the wall of the church beside
the south door. See a photo of the window below. From Oare you can follow
the road towards Malmsmead. Park at the parking lot beside the bridge and walk
5 miles up the trail beside Badgworthy Water to Hoccombe Combe. This is believed
to be the location in Lorna Doone where the Doone clan lived, though it is also
claimed that nearby Lank Coombe more accurately fits the description that Blackmore
used in his novel. In this area Badgworthy Water acts as the border between Somerset
and Devon. Images of Oare
click to see a larger image
It is through this small window that Carver Doone shot Lorna as she stood before
the altar of the church on her wedding day | 
Unusual piscina on the north wall of the church nave |
Robbers Bridge at Oare | 
Memorial to RD Blackmore in the church at Oare | | |
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| Somerset |
Beech Cottage
Simonsbath
Self catering cottage
This property offers 1 double room with ensuite and 1 family room with ensuite bathroom. 4 Star tourist grading. 3 Pets accepted. more >>
Sleeps 5
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| Somerset |
Tudor Thatched Cottage
Williton
Self catering cottage
This property offers It has two bedrooms: one king size with
en-suite shower room and a second double. There is also a double sofa
bed … more >>
Sleeps 6
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| Yeovil (Hotel) |
Travelodge Yeovil Podimore
Located A303, 6 miles north of Yeovil, this Travelodge provides guests with contemporary quality accommodation with spacious en-suite rooms, TV in every room, tea and coffee making facilities and free parking, which all make Travelodges terrific value. more >>
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| Axbridge (Hotel) |
Webbington Hotel & Country Club
Situated on the southern slopes of the Mendip Hills overlooking the picturesque hamlet of Loxton, the hotel offers the very best in comfort and cuisine. Leisure facilities include an indoor heated swimming pool, gym, sauna, steam room and floodlit tennis courts. The hotel is an ideal touring base for Cheddar, … more >>
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