Pictures of Porlock

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.