The pretty village of Porlock nestles at the bottom of a combe on the seaward side of Exmoor with steep hills both in and out. The neighbouring village of Porlock Weir has a pretty little harbour, thatched fisherman’s cottages and stunning views along thee coats and across the channel to Wales.
Porlock is surrounded by the hills and moorland of Exmoor and is a great favourite of walkers and outdoor types. The village forms the western end of the Coleridge Way, the fabulous walk that starts in Nether Stowey and crosses the Quantock Hills on its way to Exmoor. In fact, both the poets Wordsworth and Coleridge liked Porlock very much indeed. Bird watchers love the area, especially Porlock Bay where you can see Little Egrets, Spoonbill, Hen and Marsh Harrier, Osprey and Snow Buntings and so many more species.
Severe storms in 1996 enabled the sea to breach the shingle ridge and in so doing revealed the bones of an extinct species of cattle, the aurochs. The bones dated from about 1500BC which was about the time when the species died out in this country.
Porlock is a delight to the visitor with plenty to see and do, especially if you’re interested in walking, enjoying beautiful landscapes, country pubs, lovely cafes and art…at Porlock Weir, there’s even a glass blower.
Once you’re in Porlock, you’re only a very short drive from Lorna Doone’s Exmoor. The best way up onto Exmoor is via the old toll road through beautiful woodland.
The Castle Hotel near Porlock provides you with the perfect location for visiting the dramatic Exmoor coastline where you’ll find Minehead, Lynton and Lynmouth, Ilfracombe and Combe Martin as well as Porlock.
Other beautiful features of Somerset worth visiting include: Glastonbury, Dunster, Exmoor, the Blackdown Hills and the Brendon Hills, the Lorna Doone Secret Valley, Forde Abbey, the Mendip Hills, the Quantock Hills, the Somerset Levels and Wells. |
