<\/p>\n
The Porlock Landscape<\/h2>\n
The flat expanse of Porlock Vale extends all the way to the marsh and shingle ridge of Porlock Bay, a Site of Special Scientific Interest brimming with unusual species of flora and fauna.\u00a0 It’s no wonder, therefore, that it’s a walker’s paradise.<\/p>\n\t
![\"Boardwalk](\"https:\/\/www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/IMG_6499-400x400.jpg\")
\"><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>![\"Porlock](\"https:\/\/www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/IMG_9314-400x400.jpg\")
\"><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>![\"Selworthy](\"https:\/\/www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Selworthy-Beacon-@lozsleisure-scaled-400x400.jpeg\"){kind=tracking}
\"><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>![\"Bossington](\"https:\/\/www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/IMG_6585-400x400.jpg\")
\"><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\t <\/div>\n\t <\/div>\n\t Head up to the east to Selworthy Beacon<\/a> for impressive views across the Bristol channel.\u00a0 This is a stunning place to get away from it all and enjoy the coastal space.<\/p>\n Heading south will take you in-land, up winding lanes, through to magical woodlands and the stunning Webbers Post<\/a>, situated in the heart of the Holnicote Estate.\u00a0 Then, to the west of the vale sits the infamous Porlock Hill.\u00a0 We recommend you follow the road up its steep and craggy bends and, the further you go, the more you’ll find dramatic moorland views looking out over Exmoor and the coast.<\/p>\n These days, with the ‘decline of the high street’, you may be heartened to find no empty shopfront here.\u00a0 Because there isn’t much you can’t find in the village of Porlock – visitor or resident.\u00a0 There’s a traditional butcher, an independent pharmacy, a proper post office and an old school hardware store as well as a<\/span>\u00a0plethora of locally owned and run shops, pubs and caf\u00e9s.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For just about any information you would wish to know about Porlock or the surrounding area, pop into the Tourist Information Centre. We can promise you that this is a community hub, not some holidaymaker trap, so you’ll find a friendly team of volunteers prepared to help you with whatever you need.<\/p>\n A very ‘West Country’ pastime, why not find somewhere in the village to enjoy a cream tea?\u00a0 Homemade traditional scones are served with thick clotted cream, strawberry jam, and a pot of tea.\u00a0 And, trust us, this is an obligatory mid-afternoon affair when visiting Somerset.<\/p>\n We also love these cute little places for food…<\/p>\n The abundance of independent shops run by locals here is awesome, but don’t take our word for it.\u00a0 Peruse these absolute gems for homewares, clothes and gifts, and enjoy browsing through galleries filled with the works of talented Exmoor artists…<\/p>\n The village has three car parks – Main\/Central Car Park (off the high street), Village Hall Car Park, and Doverhay Car Park.\u00a0 You should be able to find these by putting them into your Google maps.\u00a0 The Village Hall allows up to 2 hours of free parking.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This viewpoint on the hill above Bossington Bay has superb panoramic views at 308 meters above sea level.\u00a0 You can walk there easily from Bossington National Trust Car Park, or go from Minehead<\/a>, passing through Minehead higher town. There are lots of lovely walks from the top, not forgetting the South West Coast Path<\/a>.<\/p>\n Only a 5min drive west of Porlock (or a 2mile 30-40min walk), you’ll find the small harbour hamlet of Porlock Weir<\/a>.\u00a0 Breathe in the sea air as you wander along the pebble beach, listen to the sounds of the gulls as you admire pretty little sailing boats, and stop for a bite to eat at one of the tiny village’s lovely little establishments.<\/p>\n The smallest Church in England, nestled in the hills just west of Porlock and Porlock Weir, Culbone Church<\/a> makes a lovely endpoint for a woodland walk along the coast.\u00a0 It’s hidden gems like these that make exploring Exmoor a real treasure hunt.<\/p>\n Run by a group of enthusiastic volunteers, the Doverhay Manor Museum<\/a> is a great place to go to learn more about the history of Porlock and the surrounding communities. (Also known as Porlock Museum.) Open throughout the summer months (1st May – 28th September), Monday to Saturday.\u00a0 And it’s free admission.<\/p>\n A woodland garden full of rare and wonderful plants, Greencombe Gardens<\/a> offers an organic showpiece of international renown.\u00a0 Sheltered under canopies of oaks, conifers and hollies, you will find carefully nurtured camellias, lilies, roses and more all grown using organic, traditional methods.<\/p>\n Relaxed and informal, Allerford Museum<\/a>\u00a0is situated a mile east of Porlock in the small hamlet of Allerford<\/a>.\u00a0 Here you will find a collection of memorabilia and ancient artefacts that give you a sense of rural life in years gone by.<\/p>\n Porlock Bay stretches between Hurlstone Point and Porlock Weir and includes the beach, ridge and salt marsh (see below).\u00a0 This long shingle curve bay sits between the Bristol Channel and farmland of the vale.\u00a0 The River Horner runs down from the village of Bossington, seemingly disappearing as it seeps through the shingle to reach the sea…\u00a0 The best place to access the beach from is the Bossington National Trust car park, only half a mile from the beach itself.<\/p>\n Porlock Salt Marsh<\/a> is a biological site of Site of Special Scientific Interest for its active geomorphological features.\u00a0 The shingle ridge was formed naturally over thousands of years, which created a barrier between the sea and the flat lowlands behind it.\u00a0 However, the geographical balance of factors maintaining the ridge eventually evolved, leaving the ridge vulnerable.\u00a0 Because of this, there was a catastrophic breach during a storm in October 1996.\u00a0 This led to the expanse of tidal saltwater marsh which exists there now, supporting various unusual bird and plant species!\u00a0 Quite a fascinating ecological journey really…\u00a0 Guided nature walks & talks on it all held frequently.\u00a0 Ask at the tourism office in Porlock or enquire with the Exmoor Society<\/a> online.<\/p>\n Travelling west through the village, you will find your way to Porlock Hill.\u00a0 Infamously steep, this twisting road climbs at a gradient approaching 1:4 at times.\u00a0 As the steepest A-road in the UK, it attracts all sorts of athletes, from cyclists to runners.\u00a0 So if you’re looking for a challenge that really gets the muscles burning, this may be for you!\u00a0 The road climbs over 220 meters in just under a mile, winding up from the village to the idyllic open moors above.<\/p>\n For anyone a little daunted by the climb,\u00a0there is an alternative toll route that follows a more relaxed 1:14 incline.<\/p>\n As described above, the landscape offers varied walking terrain, all within easy reach of the village.\u00a0 Here’s a few helpful other walks we think you might like in the area.<\/p>\n Circular walk from Sparkhayes Lane, Porlock<\/a>.<\/p>\n Circular walk between Porlock and Porlock Weir,<\/a> (along the beach and through the woods!)<\/p>\nPorlock Village<\/h2>\n
![\"Porlock](\"https:\/\/www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0355-2-e1531752742866.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCafes & Tea Rooms<\/h3>\n
\n
![\"Mrs](\"https:\/\/www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Mrs-Jacksons-Victorian-Tearooms-400x400.jpeg\")
\"><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>![\"Outdoor](\"https:\/\/www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/whortleberry-tearoom-outside-400x400.jpeg\")
\"><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>![\"Kitnors](\"https:\/\/www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Kitnors-Tea-room-Bossington-400x400.jpeg\")
\"><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/giggling-bean-cafe-porlock-e1689338980426.jpeg\")
\"><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\t <\/div>\n\t <\/div>\n\t Pubs & Restaurants<\/h3>\n
\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/IMG_9537-400x400.jpg\")
\"><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/the-castle-porlock-pubs-400x400.jpeg\")
\"><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/IMG_9453-2-e1689333613520-400x400.jpg\")
\"><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\t <\/div>\n\t <\/div>\n\t Shopping & Art<\/h3>\n
\n
![\"Handmade](\"https:\/\/www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/handmade-exmoor-shop-e1689339295635-400x400.jpeg\")
\"><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>![\"Exmoor](\"https:\/\/www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/exmoor-rambler-shop-porlock-400x400.jpeg\")
\"><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>![\"Melody](\"https:\/\/www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/melody-art--400x400.jpeg\")
\"><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\t <\/div>\n\t <\/div>\n\t Parking<\/h3>\n
Map of Porlock<\/h2>\n
![\"Map](\"https:\/\/www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Screen-Shot-2018-07-07-at-21.26.57-e1530995444191.png\")
<\/h2>\nThings to see and do in the area<\/h2>\n
\n
Admire the view from Selworthy Beacon<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Visit Porlock Weir<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Walk to Culbone Church<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Culbone](\"https:\/\/www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_6005-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n
Visit Doverhay Manor Museum<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Amble through Greencombe Gardens<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Step back in time at Allerford Museum<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Embrace the space on Bossington Beach<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/porlock-bay.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n
Walk along Porlock Ridge and Salt Marsh<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Porlock Hill<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/porlock-hill.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWalking from Porlock<\/h3>\n