Lockdown walks: Discover Exmoor’s coastal charm

08/01/2021

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Lockdown walks: Discover Exmoor’s coastal charm

Be inspired by Porlock’s poetic past then head back via Bossington Beach for great views, fresh air and tea!

 

Words by Lucy Green, photography by Julia Amies-Green


Don’t miss:

  • 17th-century fisherman’s cottages and the weather-beaten boats at Porlock Weir
  • Culbone Church, England’s smallest – accessible only on foot
  • Picture-perfect coastal panoramas on Bossington beach

 

Half-day in Porlock

To make the most of your day, set off in the morning, drive on the A39 from Minehead or Dunster to Porlock and through the village following the signs to Porlock Weir. When you reach Porlock Weir’s whitewashed cottages and set your eyes on its floating fishing boats, you’ll understand why the village was an inspiration for the romantic poets Coleridge, Wordsworth and Southey.

 

Once in Porlock Weir, you can choose to set off on the eight miles’ walk along the South West Coast path, or just walk around the Weir. If you take the shorter route, we recommend you enjoy the view and an amble on the dog-friendly beach. The longer walk featured in our ‘Little Book of Walks’, will take you on a circular route with magnificent views of the coast out to Wales and Lundy Island on a clear day. On the way, a short downhill detour takes you to England’s smallest church, Culbone. The BBC filmed the wedding scene in their serial of the melodramatic novel ‘Lorna Doone’ here. We can’t imagine how all the crew and equipment got down and back up again! This is a long, and sometimes challenging walk with steep sections – so it’s not for everyone.

 

At the time of writing this (January 2021), we were in a national lockdown, so eating out options were very limited and you might want to take your own picnic! If you’re reading this post-lockdown, then we recommend that if you’re feeling peckish after your ramble, you might want to lunch at the Porlock Weir hotel where you can enjoy a wood-fired pizza on their deck. Alternatively, you can head back out to Porlock Village. Stroll through its pretty streets with shops, galleries and tea rooms to find a lunch spot.

 

To Bossington via Allerford

Porlock is only a short drive away to the equally picturesque village of Bossington, a National Trust village. An unmissable point of interest on the way is Allerford village with it’s much-photographed packhorse bridge. This is the ideal place to pause for a Facebook or Instagram snap.

 

With its thatched cottages painted in matching lime watched green, Bossington feels like a postcard that has come to life. Luckily for walkers, the village is not on the main tourist route so is often deserted, particularly out of season.

 

After parking in the NT pay and display car park at Bossington, you’ll be able to follow the coastal path to the village. There you can take in the picture-perfect coastal panoramas that the beach has to offer. The two-mile walk should take just under an hour – longer if you want to stop, breathe in the fresh air and take in those beautiful views.

 

When you get to the beach, you’ll see Hurlstone point on the cliff in front of you looking over the Bristol Channel. This is the site of the old coastguard station built in 1902. Please be careful on the beach, as lovely though the sea is, the water has very strong undercurrents and is not for swimming in. And we recommend you keep your dog on a leash here.

 

If you’re really lucky and you’re here at the right time of year, you may also spot an extremely rare insect, the high brown fritillary butterfly. The caterpillar feeds on violets before transforming into a nectar-collecting butterfly, landing on wildflowers such as foxgloves. This area is carefully managed by the National Trust to ensure the survival of this and other beautiful butterflies. You will follow the beach track around the seafront back to car park.

 

If all that sea air has made you peckish, Kitnors Tearoom in Bossington has an excellent reputation and is loved by locals and visitors alike. Again, this is going to be closed in the lockdown, so you’ll have to come back another time to enjoy its tasty delights!

 

There’s more information, maps and full directions in our Little Book of Walks, which is available in from ‘Not Two Deer’ in Dunster village and the Minehead Tourist Information Centre (phone 01643 702624) or find a copy in your Exmoor Character Cottage. Mail order: https://nottwodeer.co.uk/product/little-book-of-walks/

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Posted by:Minehead Bay