Marie-Claire’s guidebook
Great places to vist
Dunster Castle is a former motte and bailey castle, now a country house, in the village of Dunster. It is a National Trust property with wonderful views and delightful sub tropical gardens. There are also outdoor theatre events hosted against the wonderful backdrop of the castle over the summer months. Here is a link to their website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunster-castle-and-watermill
161 locals recommend
Dunster Castle
Dunster Castle is a former motte and bailey castle, now a country house, in the village of Dunster. It is a National Trust property with wonderful views and delightful sub tropical gardens. There are also outdoor theatre events hosted against the wonderful backdrop of the castle over the summer months. Here is a link to their website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunster-castle-and-watermill
Dunkery Beacon is the highest point on Dunkery Hill and Somerset's highest point; it boasts a view to both the Bristol and English channels. On a clear day, Dartmoor, the Brecon Beacons of Wales and Cleave Hill in distant Gloucestershire can all be seen.
23 locals recommend
Dunkery Beacon
Dunkery Beacon is the highest point on Dunkery Hill and Somerset's highest point; it boasts a view to both the Bristol and English channels. On a clear day, Dartmoor, the Brecon Beacons of Wales and Cleave Hill in distant Gloucestershire can all be seen.
Kilve beach, a 35 minute drive away, is a great place to go fossil hunting. The Jurassic rocks form a spectacular backdrop to the fossil-rich beach, where ammonites and marine reptile remains are often found. There are also fabulous views from the clifftops above the beach.
54 locals recommend
Kilve Beach
Kilve beach, a 35 minute drive away, is a great place to go fossil hunting. The Jurassic rocks form a spectacular backdrop to the fossil-rich beach, where ammonites and marine reptile remains are often found. There are also fabulous views from the clifftops above the beach.
Wonderful place to visit for a wander around the shops and to enjoy the spectacular views or to have a spot of lunch at the Bottom Ship Pub (so as not to be confused with… you guessed it…the Top Ship Pub in neighbouring Porlock). Quaint fishing village, which also boasts the Porlock Weir Boat Shed Museum and is the home of the Exmoor Glass Shop.
51 locals recommend
Porlock Weir
Wonderful place to visit for a wander around the shops and to enjoy the spectacular views or to have a spot of lunch at the Bottom Ship Pub (so as not to be confused with… you guessed it…the Top Ship Pub in neighbouring Porlock). Quaint fishing village, which also boasts the Porlock Weir Boat Shed Museum and is the home of the Exmoor Glass Shop.
Blue Anchor Bay is one of the stops on the West Somerset Railway. It has a fabulous beach which is best at high tide. There is a lovely café "The Driftwood" with serving fabulous food with a fabulous view there.
Blue Anchor Beach
Blue Anchor Bay is one of the stops on the West Somerset Railway. It has a fabulous beach which is best at high tide. There is a lovely café "The Driftwood" with serving fabulous food with a fabulous view there.
Fabulous views of the south coast of Wales across the Bristol Channel from the Beacon and great for those who love sunsets!
Selworthy Beacon, Minehead TA24 8HJ, UK
Fabulous views of the south coast of Wales across the Bristol Channel from the Beacon and great for those who love sunsets!
The spectacular Valley of the Rocks is a truly magnificent u shaped valley just outside Lynton, with steep valley slopes on one side and sheer cliffs to the other side, providing incredible views to the sea. The valley is peppered with incredible and unusual rock formations with wild goats grazing happily in the grassy valley basin. It is my favourite place in the area by far and definitely worth a visit!
115 locals recommend
Valley of Rocks
South West Coast PathThe spectacular Valley of the Rocks is a truly magnificent u shaped valley just outside Lynton, with steep valley slopes on one side and sheer cliffs to the other side, providing incredible views to the sea. The valley is peppered with incredible and unusual rock formations with wild goats grazing happily in the grassy valley basin. It is my favourite place in the area by far and definitely worth a visit!
Outdoor Adventures
Based in Porlock Weir, Exmoor Adventures offers mountain bike and E- bike hire and outdoor adventures such as kayaking, mountain biking and paddle-boarding. Here is a link to their website: https://exmooradventures.co.uk/
13 locals recommend
Exmoor Adventures
Based in Porlock Weir, Exmoor Adventures offers mountain bike and E- bike hire and outdoor adventures such as kayaking, mountain biking and paddle-boarding. Here is a link to their website: https://exmooradventures.co.uk/
Burrowhayes Farm Riding Stables offer experienced riders 1, 2 & 3 hour escorted rides through the glorious Horner Valley, and on the moors of Dunkery, Ley Hill and Selworthy. The stables also offer half hour pony rides where children can be led by their parents through the surrounding woodland. If you are interested in horse riding it is desirable to book ahead as they do get very busy. Their telephone is 01643 862463.
Burrowhayes Farm
Burrowhayes Farm Riding Stables offer experienced riders 1, 2 & 3 hour escorted rides through the glorious Horner Valley, and on the moors of Dunkery, Ley Hill and Selworthy. The stables also offer half hour pony rides where children can be led by their parents through the surrounding woodland. If you are interested in horse riding it is desirable to book ahead as they do get very busy. Their telephone is 01643 862463.
Great places to eat further afield
A lovely family run serving fabulous food served by friendly staff. Great to lunch here after a visit to Kilve Beach or walk along the Coast Path. https://www.thehoodarms.co.uk/en-GB
Tel: +441278741114
16 locals recommend
The Hood Arms
A lovely family run serving fabulous food served by friendly staff. Great to lunch here after a visit to Kilve Beach or walk along the Coast Path. https://www.thehoodarms.co.uk/en-GB
Tel: +441278741114
Delicious fresh food served at this charming country house hotel. Open for Sunday dinner when many other restaurants are closed.
https://www.combehouse.co.uk/
01278 741382
Combe House Hotel & Restaurant
Delicious fresh food served at this charming country house hotel. Open for Sunday dinner when many other restaurants are closed.
https://www.combehouse.co.uk/
01278 741382
The Periwinkle tea room is fabulous. Situated in the beautiful village of Selworthy which has outstanding views and wonderful walks from footpaths out of the village. You could stop here after a walk for a a delicious tea or simply just visit and enjoy the views!
7 locals recommend
Periwinkle Cottage Tea Room
68 Selworthy GreenThe Periwinkle tea room is fabulous. Situated in the beautiful village of Selworthy which has outstanding views and wonderful walks from footpaths out of the village. You could stop here after a walk for a a delicious tea or simply just visit and enjoy the views!
My favourite locals
Also known as the Top Ship, this wonderful local pub is in Porlock village, within a short walk from the cottage. The Top Ship has a very welcoming staff and serves great food . The pub has a great atmosphere, in which locals and visitors mix well. The pub hosts live music events in the summer months.
https://www.shipinnporlock.co.uk/
Tel: +44(0) 1643 862507
8 locals recommend
The Ship Inn
High StreetAlso known as the Top Ship, this wonderful local pub is in Porlock village, within a short walk from the cottage. The Top Ship has a very welcoming staff and serves great food . The pub has a great atmosphere, in which locals and visitors mix well. The pub hosts live music events in the summer months.
https://www.shipinnporlock.co.uk/
Tel: +44(0) 1643 862507
Fabulous Cheesemonger and Delicatessen serving a wide selection of British cheeses. They also sell a fantastic range of tasty crackers and delicious chutneys. Yummy pasties also available to take away or eat in. Stuart and his team are very friendly and welcoming. Highly recommended!
The Big Cheese
Castle StreetFabulous Cheesemonger and Delicatessen serving a wide selection of British cheeses. They also sell a fantastic range of tasty crackers and delicious chutneys. Yummy pasties also available to take away or eat in. Stuart and his team are very friendly and welcoming. Highly recommended!
Absolutely delicious home cooked food served in very quaint and welcoming tea room. The pasties are mouth watering! A wide range of gluten free options also available.
Bramdowns (formerly Mrs Jackson's)
High StreetAbsolutely delicious home cooked food served in very quaint and welcoming tea room. The pasties are mouth watering! A wide range of gluten free options also available.
Sightseeing
Take a journey back in time on a steam train on the fabulous West Somerset Railway which runs Between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead. There are several stops along the way and the railway is a fun and novel way to explore the area. The trains run from May to October with some seasonal trains running in November and December. Here is a link to their website: https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/
34 locals recommend
West Somerset Railway (Minehead)
West Somerset RailwayTake a journey back in time on a steam train on the fabulous West Somerset Railway which runs Between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead. There are several stops along the way and the railway is a fun and novel way to explore the area. The trains run from May to October with some seasonal trains running in November and December. Here is a link to their website: https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/
Local Food Shops
A well stocked convenience store close by the cottage offering a good range of basic groceries, including fresh produce and newspapers. Opens 7am to 10pm daily
One Stop
High Street A well stocked convenience store close by the cottage offering a good range of basic groceries, including fresh produce and newspapers. Opens 7am to 10pm daily
There is another convenience store further up the High Street past the church ( the Spar). This is a small family run grocery store offering a lovely range of food including basic items, fresh produce and more deli-type fare. You will also find the award-winning locally produced Wicked Wolf gin here!
TA24 8PU
High StreetThere is another convenience store further up the High Street past the church ( the Spar). This is a small family run grocery store offering a lovely range of food including basic items, fresh produce and more deli-type fare. You will also find the award-winning locally produced Wicked Wolf gin here!
Excellent butcher selling largely free range and antibiotic free meats as well as pasties and sausage rolls. Opening hours 9am to 5pm Mon-Fri and 9am-1pm Sat.
Clive Downs
High StreetExcellent butcher selling largely free range and antibiotic free meats as well as pasties and sausage rolls. Opening hours 9am to 5pm Mon-Fri and 9am-1pm Sat.
Family-run business established in the late 19th C. Great teas and coffees available for sale, together with a range of gifts. The tea bags we leave for your use come from here. Opening hours 9.30 am to 5 pm, Mon-Fri
Miles Tea & Coffee Shop, Porlock Roastery
High StreetFamily-run business established in the late 19th C. Great teas and coffees available for sale, together with a range of gifts. The tea bags we leave for your use come from here. Opening hours 9.30 am to 5 pm, Mon-Fri
Local Shops
This shop is on the High Street and stocks an impressive range of footwear, clothing and binoculars as well as the usual post office services. Open 7 days’ a week, all year round.
Exmoor Rambler
High Street This shop is on the High Street and stocks an impressive range of footwear, clothing and binoculars as well as the usual post office services. Open 7 days’ a week, all year round.
A very useful shop on the High Street selling choice of DIY items and garden/home ware. You can also purchase additional logs from here.
Porlock Home & Hardware
4 High StreetA very useful shop on the High Street selling choice of DIY items and garden/home ware. You can also purchase additional logs from here.
Gallery on the High Street in Porlock selling a collection of paintings, ceramics, jewellery, glasswork.
Churchgate Gallery
High StreetGallery on the High Street in Porlock selling a collection of paintings, ceramics, jewellery, glasswork.
C 'n' K Art & Things
High StreetA shop on the High Street selling original art, jewellery , candles and cards
A little shop on the High Street selling Simon Drew prints and cards, bags, jewellery and other gifts.
The Bagatelle
High StreetA little shop on the High Street selling Simon Drew prints and cards, bags, jewellery and other gifts.
From her lovely shop on the High Street, Annabelle has a wonderful selection of lovely handmade items on sale (some of them made out of wool from her flock of sheep), all beautifully displayed. Great for a genuine Exmoor souvenir!
Handmade Exmoor
1 High Street From her lovely shop on the High Street, Annabelle has a wonderful selection of lovely handmade items on sale (some of them made out of wool from her flock of sheep), all beautifully displayed. Great for a genuine Exmoor souvenir!