Where else in the UK can you picnic under a thousand shining stars, enjoy a spot of wild swimming beneath the highest cliffs in England, undertake a spot of sonic sleuthing in Britain's largest area of oak woodland or explore secret locations listening to magical tales unfolding chapter by chapter on free and interactive story walks?

The location is Exmoor, a very special area spanning two beautiful counties in the South West of Britain and incorporating Exmoor National Park, stunning heritage coastline and the undulating beauty of the Quantock Hills in West Somerset.

2014 has seen Exmoor National Park celebrating its sixtieth anniversary and as part of those celebrations, a new website that covers the whole of Greater Exmoor has been launched featuring a bold new design, fresh inspirational content and a whole host of new functions. www.visit-exmoor.co.uk

As well as practical information from accommodation, food and drink and attraction listings, to transport information and local visitor centres, the website is a fantastic resource for visitors seeking inspiration and new experiences. Recognising that the consumer is now keener than ever to seek out “something different” when taking a holiday or short break, the website has provided information on 60 top experiences.

For example, Exmoor National Park was designated as the first International Dark Sky Reserve in Europe and as such provides the perfect venue for a romantic dinner al fresco under a velvet sky and illuminated by a thousand shining stars. Dark Sky guides and telescopes can be hired at Exmoor National Park Centres, or simply pack a midnight feast, a warm blanket and choose a spot to lie back and soak up the show. The website reveals some of the best places to appreciate the views and enjoy traditional Exmoor hospitality.

Staying with a nocturnal theme, how about a spot of sonic sleuthing at Horner Woods, part of the National Trust's Holnicote Estate is home to 16 of the UK's 18 bat species.  The woods are one of Britain's largest areas of ancient oak woodland. Sitting quietly as dusk falls on a summer evening visitors may even spot one of the rare pug-faced Barbastelle bats or can join in a guided walk run by the National Trust or Exmoor National Park Rangers who have an added advantage with their 'bat detectors'.

Whatever you choose to do, Exmoor exudes a special magic and magical tales unfold chapter by chapter during Christopher Jelley's free and interactive story walks in and around Exmoor. Anyone can download the information onto a phone or tablet from the website www.poetrypin.info  and follow the directions to hear the first part of the story which can only be revealed at a particular and relevant location. Once read, instructions will be given to the place where the next chapter can be unlocked. All the tales are interactive and encourage collecting, making and discovering clues which help push the story forwards. There are four enthralling tales so far, all of which are sure to inspire families to explore secret locations in Dunster, Porlock Weir, Horner Woods and Dulverton.

If your idea of holiday fun is more about activity and challenge, there are numerous suggestions in Exmoor's Top 60 to inspire and encourage the most action-hungry junkie including coasteering – described as 'the best fun you can have in neoprene'. Involving jumping into deep - sometimes turbulent - water, swimming thorough caves, scrambling over rocks and climbing up cliffs, Exmoor and North Devon's incredibly rocky coastline offers one of the best stretches in the UK for this adrenaline-filled sport. Professionally run adventure companies will pick the best spots to suit the weather conditions and the ability of the group so that everyone has a great experience. 

Exmoor also presents a great opportunity for a spot of wild swimming outdoors and has several wild swimming sites along its clear rivers and rocky coastline. The website reveals the best place to scramble over stones to slip into a small man-made rock pool – it's just off the shore at Woody Bay and once there swimmers can marvel at the sheer drama of the highest cliffs in England. Check out the website for more information on crystal-clear rivers and spots for family paddling and cool deep pools for invigorating dips.

A fast and user friendly navigation makes it easier for people to find the information they want; there are map-driven searches using an interactive map and unique icons to represent the area to those unfamiliar with it.   The website also offers the ability to add and save favourite listings for future reference, as well as special offers, an up to date events diary and much more.

The site has been developed through the Exmoor Tourism Partnership with funding support from West Somerset Council, Exmoor National Park Authority, Exmoor Tourist Association and support from the EU Interreg funded COOL tourism project.

For further press information or hi res images, contact Jane Adkins, A Head for PR, T/: 01935 813114 or E/: jane@aheadforpr.co.uk www.aheadforpr.co.uk   

Photo Captions: Skytrails at Dunkery Beacon (credit Adrian Cubitt);

 Ancient Woodland (credit Jeremy Sable);

 Rocky coastline: East from Little Hangman (credit Nigel Stone);

 Spot for wild swimming in River Barle (credit Nigel Stone)

For further information about the ETP, contact Dan James, Sustainable Economy Manager at Exmoor National Park Authority; DTJames@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk   T: / 01398 323 665 or Robert Downes, Tourism Officer, West Somerset Council (rdownes@westsomerset.gov.uk   / 01984 635 249). www.visit-exmoor.co.uk  

Notes to Editors:

The Exmoor Tourism Partnership (ETP) is a virtual tourism body comprising public and private sector organisations.  Partners include the Exmoor Tourist Association, Exmoor National Park Authority, West Somerset Council, North Devon + and Somerset County Council. 

The COOL Tourism Project is an EU funded partnership programme that aims to promote and grow rural tourism. West Somerset Council and Exmoor National Park Authority are working with Somerset County Council, Sedgemoor District Council, Essex, Norfolk and Kent County Council's, Visit Kent, Pas de Calais Tourisme, Somme Tourisme and Gites de France. The Cool Project has been selected in the context of the INTERREG IV A France (Channel) – England European cross-border co-operation programme, which is co-financed by ERDF.