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Local Produce
Exmoor is mainly a hill farming region, with the economy based on sheep and beef cattle, whilst to the north and east, in Porlock Vale and on the Brendon Hills, arable crops are grown. Local Exmoor Horn Sheep and Red Devon cattle are still found on many farms.
There are roughly 300,000 sheep and lambs on Exmoor, giving a ratio of 30 sheep to one person. Sheep have grazed on Exmoor for more than 3000 years, together with small numbers of cattle and horses. They help to maintain the Exmoor scenery by eating heather, tough moorland grasses and tree seedlings.
A number of small companies produce conserves and the local speciality is whortleberry jam, made from whortleberries which grow on the moorland. An Exmoor cream tea with whortleberry jam is a real treat. There's even a locally made sausage with whortleberries.
Styles ice-cream use whole-cream cow's milk to produce their 14 different flavoured ice-creams and sheep's milk in a new low-calorie version. Sorbets are made using fresh Exmoor spring water. Styles ice-cream vans can be found in most popular spots around the area and it's also on sale in many local shops.
Nutcombe Chocolates are made in Minehead, delicious organic dairy products come from West Hill Dairy at West Down, Tower Farms produce hand-made cheddar cheese using milk from local farms and there is no shortage of venison or pheasant from local sources. Exe Valley Fisheries smoke locally caught trout and some restaurants sell local sea bass.
If you are feeling thirsty you will be spoilt for choice, with three local breweries, a vineyard and cider makers. Many of the pubs sell Exmoor and Cotleigh Ales and the new micro brewery, Dunkery Ales, is also beginning to appear at the taps.
Many hotels and B&B's offer a local produce breakfast, serving a variety of local sausages (including one which contains whortleberries), bacon and free range eggs, as well as local conserves. They often serve Miles coffee, too, which is roasted in Porlock
There's an opportunity to sample a range of local produce at the Exmoor Food Festival, held each October, and the Quantocks Food Festival, held in May.
