Pictures of Porlock
in the county of Somerset
About Porlock
Beautiful Porlock Bay is sheltered by high moorland and thickly wooded hills. Once, long before the 11th-century when the sea receded the village of Porlock was a Port and it is known that in the 17th-century Porlock Weir, at the Western end of the bay was a lively port serving coastal vessels who called in to load and unload as they journeyed the coastal routes of England and Wales.
These days' this magnificent area is a mecca for the Botanist. Throughout the whole of Exmoor you will find no milder climate than that of Porlock and it is this that causes the area to be a haven for rare and wild flowers and plants. The rare silver ragwort grows along the shingle beach, as does red valerian and sea thrift. Ivy leaved Toadflax can be found growing on top of ancient stone walls, bluebells and rich green ferns flourish in the woods. Then there is the green alkanet, hart's tongue and kidney vetch, all are part of the seemingly endless bounty of nature enclosed within the shingle shores of this graceful bay and the moorland above.
Porlock Marsh offers a gentle sanctury to wintering birds, The shingle beach is often an amazing sight as gulls and oyster-catchers gather together in search of food. In spring and autumn huge flocks of migrating waders are attracted to the reed-beds, which in winter have been the temporary home of mallard, teal and shoveler.
The narrow lanes of the small village teem with whitewashed, creeper clad houses and cottages, most have neat hedges behind which are colourful gardens aglow in early spring with bright daffodils and vibrant red tulips. The visitor here needs to take time, for this delightful place is best explored on foot. There are lots of enjoyable walks that take you through romantic countryside to remote hamlets. A fascinating path from Porlock Weir leads through densely wooded areas to reach almost the edge of the sea to where you will find the church of St.Culbone. This church is said to be the smallest medieval parish church in England, it measures 35ft long and seats 38 people. The parish church of Porlock, St. Dubricius has a relic from a saxon cross fixed to the west wall of the nave. The church itself though, dates mainly from the 13th-century.
Now-a-day's the little harbour of Porlock Weir is alive with riot of gleaming pleasure craft and brightly painted fishing boats which at low tide are left beached haphazardly giving the harbour an enchanting, picture postcard look. The whole of this area has a magical quality about it and the bay is as peaceful as it is mild, it is the perfect place to tarry and enjoy peace and solitude, for often all that there is to disturb you is the lapping of the waves and the cries of the gulls above.
Porlock Bay and Weir are on the famous Exmoor Heritage Coast. The national trust property of Waters Meet House is but a few short miles away and nearby is Dunkery Beacon at Dunkery Hill. If you wish to view this beautiful area from your car then you should take the drive towards Lynton where you will climb 1350ft in less than 3 miles - it is the highest gradient in any English highway and affords stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.
Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner
Recommended attractions near Porlock
| Exmoor National Park | (5.3 miles, 8.5 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Dunster Castle & Garden | (7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Watersmeet House | (8.8 miles, 14.2 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Lynmouth Foreland Lighthouse | (8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Tarr Steps | (9.2 miles, 14.9 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Glen Lyn Gorge | (10.4 miles, 16.8 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| The Valley of Rocks | (11.6 miles, 18.6 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Nash Lighthouse | (13.5 miles, 21.7 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Quantock Hills | (15.3 miles, 24.6 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Halsway Manor | (16.0 miles, 25.8 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Arlington Court | (17.4 miles, 28.0 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park | (17.7 miles, 28.5 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Old Beaupre Castle | (17.7 miles, 28.5 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Porthkerry Country Park | (17.9 miles, 28.8 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Ogmore Castle | (18.9 miles, 30.4 km, direction N) | Pictures |
All attractions in PorlockAll attractions in SomersetComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandRecommended towns near Porlock
Luccombe, a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset (1.9 miles, 3.0 km, direction SE)
There really could be no finer example of the perfect English village than Luccombe..
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Selworthy Green, a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset (2.1 miles, 3.4 km, direction E)
Selworthy Green is the start of a picturesque walk through steep woodlands to the gorse-gold and heather clad summit of Selworthy Beacon from which there are magnificent views over the undulating countryside.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Culbone, in the county of Somerset (2.9 miles, 4.6 km, direction NW)
A small hamlet that is not accessible by car. St Culbone's Church is the smallest parish church in England.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Minehead, in the county of Somerset (5.0 miles, 8.0 km, direction E)
Minehead is a quintessential English seaside resort on the beautiful Somerset coast whose mild climate has been a magnet for...
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Oare, a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset (5.3 miles, 8.6 km, direction W)
Thus, it was unsurprising to learn that this was the setting for R.D.Blackmore's famous novel, Lorna Doone.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Withypool, a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset (7.4 miles, 11.8 km, direction S)
R.D.Blackmore wrote part of Lorna Doone in the bar of the Royal Oak in Withypool and the famous artist Alfred Munnings had a...
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Winsford, a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset (7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction S)
One of the prettiest and most unspoilt of villages, steeped in history and mentioned in the Domesday book
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Southerndown, in the county of Glamorgan (17.1 miles, 27.5 km, direction N)
The village of Southerndown is set back from the dramatic dry-stone cliffs surrounding Dunraven Bay, these are mostly formed by alternate layers of limestone and shale, which give the cliffs their unusually regular pattern.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Holford, a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset (17.3 miles, 27.9 km, direction E)
Holford lies in a peaceful wooded valley at the foot of the lovely Quantock Hills crowning the landscape where the county of Somerset sweeps towards the coast.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Mariansleigh, in the county of Devon (17.8 miles, 28.6 km, direction SW)
This charming tiny village is set in lovely rural mid-Devonshire countryside within a short distance from the meandering River Mole in the beautiful Mole Valley, and the picturesque Crooked Oak stream.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Combe Martin, a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon (18.7 miles, 30.0 km, direction W)
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Bridgend, in the county of Bridgend (20.7 miles, 33.2 km, direction N)
The Vale of Glamorgan has some splendid valley's and old market town's. Bridgend is an old established market town with a long history.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Chittlehamholt, in the county of Devon (21.7 miles, 34.9 km, direction SW)
Chittlehamholt is a lovely peaceful village lying in unspoilt countryside close to the River Taw.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
High Bickington, in the county of Devon (24.0 miles, 38.7 km, direction SW)
High Bickington lies in one of England's most beautiful and relaxing regions, it is a short distance from the meandering River Taw and is ideally set close to both Dartmoor and Exmoor.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Cardiff, in the county of Glamorgan (26.1 miles, 41.9 km, direction NE)
Cardiff, vibrant capital city of Wales is located on the banks of the beautiful, meandering River Taff. It is an ancient city with an amazing history and strong maritime connections.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
All towns in SomersetComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandNearby travel help
| Cardiff International Airport | (16.8 miles, 27.1 km, direction NE) |
| Barry Station | (18.8 miles, 30.2 km, direction NE) |
| Barry Island Station | (18.9 miles, 30.5 km, direction NE) |
| M4 Junction 35 | (21.4 miles, 34.4 km, direction N) |
| M4 Junction 37 | (21.7 miles, 34.9 km, direction N) |
| Exeter Airport | (33.6 miles, 54.0 km, direction S) |
| Porlock to London | (151.5 miles, 243.8 km, direction E) |
Hotels & Accommodation in Porlock
| Hotel Name | Approximate distance from Porlock center |
| Glendower House | (5.4 miles, 8.6 km, direction E) |
| Yarn Market Hotel | (6.8 miles, 10.9 km, direction E) |
| The Langbury | (8.6 miles, 13.9 km, direction E) |
| Dragon House Hotel | (10.0 miles, 16.2 km, direction E) |
| The Exmoor Manor Hotel | (10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction W) |
| Shelleys - A 'Hotel Of The Year' | (10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction W) |
| The Tors Hotel | (10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction W) |
| The Bath Hotel | (10.4 miles, 16.7 km, direction W) |
| The White Horse Inn | (10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction E) |
| The Lion Hotel | (11.8 miles, 19.0 km, direction S) |
| All hotels in Porlock |