A great car-free day out around Porlock, taking in the town and the surrounding countryside on foot. Or you can take the bus to local villages and attractions along the bus route.
Highlights
¨ PorlockVillage and Vale of Porlock
¨ Porlock Marsh and shingle ridge
¨ GreencombeGardens
¨ St. Dubricius church
¨ Porlock Visitor Centre
¨ Scenic walks around Porlock
¨ Open-top bus ride to Lynmouth or Minehead and bus back
¨ Bus rides to local attractions
Walk around Porlock
Porlock and its neighbouring villages of Bossington, Allerford and West Luccombe nestle in the wide Vale of Porlock, protected on either side by Porlock Hill and Bossington Hill. Porlock Weir is tucked under Porlock Hill giving a sheltered harbour in a picturesque location.
A walk along the village High Street will take you back in time with unique individual shops and inns and an attractive church with its unusual, truncated spire and wagon-roof. At the beginning of the road to Porlock Weir you will find the excellent Visitor Centre with the most welcoming staff and lots to browse around telling stories of the area. This also marks the end (or beginning) of the long-distance path from (or to) Nether Stowey in the Quantock Hills, called the Coleridge Way. This 36 mile walk normally takes about four days staying in B&B’s along the way. It was named after Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772 -1834) who lived for a while in this area and was inspired by the stunning scenery which was reflected in his writings.
Apart from this walk, Porlock is blessed with a wide selection of walks in all directions. A fairly easy walk takes you across the vale to visit the other villages and Porlock Marsh. The marsh is now a salt marsh since the shingle ridge was breached in 1996. For the more adventurous a walk into Exmoor brings beautiful oak woodlands and rivers rushing towards the sea. These follow a myriad of winding footpaths, so it is quite easy to make a walk that fits your stamina.
Bus outings
Take the open-top double-decker bus 300 from Porlock along the coast to Lynmouth or Minehead and back. We recommend you check bus times at the Porlock Visitor Centre or at Traveline, https://www.travelinesw.com/
Go to Porlock Hill on the 300 open-top bus for a 2.6 mile, 1.5 hour easy walk back to Porlock.
Go to Porlock Weir on the 39 bus for a visit and something to eat.
Go to Selworthy on the 39 or 300 bus, to visit the delightful thatched National Trust village and church. Refreshments are available.
Attractions
Exmoor Falconry, Bossington. An all-weather attraction in an old NT farmhouse. You will see owls and birds of prey giving displays, or join in an alpaca walk or horse-riding. This can be reached on the 39 bus or a 1.7 mile walk on footpaths through the vale.
Greencombe Gardens, West Porlock. These gardens are a delight to wander around among the attractive natural planting. These gardens are on the 39 bus route or are an easy half mile walk along the Porlock Weir road.
Allerford Museum of Rural Life. This museum will take you back in time, showing objects collected mainly from the Exmoor area. Based in the old schoolhouse, there is also an exhibit of the old Victorian school classroom. Allerford is on the 39 bus route, or the 300 with a short walk from the main road bus-stop. Opposite is a tearooms at the Post Office. You can also walk from the Exmoor Falconry along footpaths through the woods for just under a mile.
Dovery ManorMuseum, Porlock. Positioned at the Minehead end of the High Street, this museum has a collection of artefacts, book and photos based on the local area.
Other Car Free Days Out in this series
¨ Dunster
¨ Dulverton
¨ Combe Martin
¨ Lynmouth
¨ Exford
¨ Minehead
Tourist Information
Porlock Visitor Centre, West End, Porlock, 01643 863150
Public Transport
For up-to-date information please contact Traveline on https://www.travelinesw.com/
Disclaimer
Timetables for public transport are correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change over the lifetime of this blog. We recommend that you check the current bus timetables and opening times of attractions and eating places before travelling.
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