Worth watching out for.
 — John Cleare

Exmoor & North Devon Coast Path (South-West Coast Path Part 1)

Exmoor & North Devon Coast Path (South-West Coast Path Part 1)

Excerpt:
Sample route guide: Minehead to Porlock Weir


Contents | Introduction | About the South West Coast Path | Practical information for the walker | Itineraries | Using this guide | Sample route guide: Minehead to Porlock Weir


Sample route guide

Minehead to Porlock Weir       MAPS 1-7

This 9-mile (14.5km; 3hrs 50 mins, 5hrs 20 mins if taking the rugged alternative route) first stage of the SWCP offers a taster of much that is wonderful about the Exmoor coast. Beginning with a stroll through ancient, ivy-strangled woodland (Exmoor can, after all, boast some of the most extensive broadleaved coastal woods in Britain), you emerge eventually at North Hill, whereafter the route offers you two choices: a gentle pastoral stroll by fields of livestock or a more rugged alternative that offers a wilder, longer and more remote experience (and, so it is said, a greater chance of spotting native Exmoor wildlife such as red deer) as you contour the coastline on a narrow trail.
    

The two paths then reunite just before the descent to the cream-tea cosiness of Bossington, from where a flat track takes you across farmland, via a turn-off to nearby Porlock and a submerged forest, to the village of Porlock Weir, home to a thousand-year-old port, several thatched grade-II listed cottages – and a fabulously eccentric hotel.


The route
The South-West Coast Path begins by what has become popularly known either as the ‘Hands Sculpture’ or the ‘Map Sculpture’, sculpted in bronze by Owen Cunningham and erected in 2001; it is, of course, pretty much obligatory to have your photo taken next to it. Photographed, fed, backpacked and booted, it’s now time for you to begin. Ignore the acorn symbols on the tarmac that suggest there’s an alternative inland route (that route is no longer in use) and instead stick to the waterfront as it takes you towards and beyond The Old Ship Aground and its neighbouring lifeboat station.
  

Leaving the last vestiges of Minehead behind, the trail enters some deep, dark woods scored with numerous paths and bridleways before emerging above the trees below the summit of North Hill. (A diversion off the path here takes you down the steep slope to the ruined Burgundy Chapel and its accompanying hermitage, a medieval two-roomed construction that dates back over 600 years.) Look out for nightjars and the rare Dartford warbler flitting amongst the western gorse, which itself is a plant that’s a bit of a rarity, found only in the West Country and southern Wales.

 The path continues westwards a short distance before dividing; the northern path is known as ‘the rugged alternative’ (see p82). Meanwhile the main trail meanders gently, scarcely rising or falling, past fields and flocks, with unbroken views over the sheep to the sea. Wales winks at you across the waves to the north, while Dunkery Beacon – the highest point on Exmoor – glimpses your progress from the south. Passing Selworthy Beacon (309m/1013ft), the path descends to a reunion with the alternative trail before descending steeply through Hurlstone Combe and on to Bossington.


The rugged alternative route
Do not be put off by the name of this alternative trail – though more testing than the official path this route is not overly difficult and is well worth the extra 90 minutes that it takes to walk it. Note that dogs are not allowed on this path.
    

The trail runs along a thin and winding path, intermittently following field boundaries and keeping close to the sea, occasionally dipping into miniature combes and crossing streams. The views are tremendous, the path is wilder than the official route and you are less likely to see other people too – and far more likely to see red deer. Throughout much of it you are surrounded by gorse although bluebells make for a spectacular display in spring.


 Where the regular trail passes near the summit of Selworthy Beacon, the alternative path goes around its lower slopes. Having crossed the upper reaches of Grexy Combe, on your left but not visible is the Iron-Age hill fort of Furzebury Brake. Further archaeology lies ahead on the path with two medieval settlements, East and West Myne, while to your right are the Eastern Brockholes, which along with the Western Brockholes are considered to be the places where the stone was quarried to build the two settlements.


 At East Combe you can turn left and climb to the top of Selworthy Beacon, or you can keep on and rejoin the official path after Hurlstone Combe.


Bossington sits at the eastern extremity of the wide Porlock Vale, an unusually wide, flat valley in comparison with the narrow combes typical of Exmoor. Standing between it and the sea is a natural shingle ridge – a ridge that was breached in 1996 (see box opposite), causing the farmland to turn into a salt marsh that receives a fresh inundation of salt every high tide. It also led to a rerouting of the SWCP that once followed this ridge but which now takes a more inland course, around the back of the beach. This does mean that the sea will be out of sight for the next few miles – but also that it is much less of a detour to visit the charming village of Porlock.

Bossington     MAP 5
Bossington is the kind of blink-and-you-miss-it village that people come to Devon specifically to see: ancient, cosy, with a gorgeous tearoom and picture-perfect cottages scattered willy-nilly along a single track lane. With its thatched roofs and lack of telegraph wires, it can feel like you’ve wandered onto the set of a BBC period drama.
    Kitnors Tearooms (tel 01643-862643; Easter to Oct daily 11am-5pm, Mar & Nov-Dec Fri-Sun), situated right on the path, has a splendid little garden at the rear where one can relax to a gentle cacophony of birdsong (the robins are particularly friendly). It’s a lovely place to stop and they serve sandwiches, light lunches and cream teas (from £3.50). As for a place to stay, just up the road is Tudor Cottage (tel 01643-862255, www.tudorcottage.net; 2D/1T; wi-fi; from £35pp, £50 sgl occ), a 15th-century cottage with a splendid garden and wonderful views across to Porlock Weir.

 

Porlock
Though 15 minutes from the path, Porlock remains a popular stopover on the SWCP. The plentiful accommodation, amenities, attractions and ancient architecture are enough to tempt the tiring walker off the trail.
    A survey of 2010 based on data from the Office of National Statistics found the village to have the oldest average population in the UK, with over 40% above pensionable age – and indeed the village is venerable in many ways. The place was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 (as ‘Portloc’) and several of the village’s buildings are only slightly younger. The oldest, The Chantry, has parts dating back to the 12th century. The truncated tower on the neighbouring Church of St Dubricius (named after a 6th-century Welsh saint who, according to legend, crowned King Arthur and later married him to Guinevere) was built only a few decades later; while, inside the church, you’ll find fragments of a cross that date back to pre-Norman times.
    The main street is also scattered with more old thatched cottages than you can shake a sheaf of straw at, from The Old Rose and Crown Cottage (formerly a pub), opposite the church, to the 13th-century Ship Inn at the western end of the village.
    For a more intimate look at one of Porlock’s hoary homes, Dovery Manor Museum (www.doverymanormuseum .org.uk; Mon-Fri 10am-1pm & 2-5pm, Sat 10.30am-12.30pm & 2-4pm; free admission) is housed in a 15th-century manor house and has a physic garden based on designs from medieval times.
    A few steps away, Exmoor Classic Cars (tel 01643-841476; Easter to end Sep, Fri-Sun & Bank Hols 11am-4pm; £3) is a wonderful little collection of gleaming vintage cars and bikes, some of which are as old as the inhabitants of Porlock themselves. While at the other end of the village, the Visitor Centre (see below) boasts a small village museum including many of the items discovered on the beach that pre-date even Porlock (see box p84).
    See p16 for details of the Porlock Arts Festival.

Services
The Visitor Centre (tel 01643-863150, www.porlock.co.uk; Easter to end Oct Mon-Fri 10am-12.30pm & 2-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-1pm; Nov to Easter Mon-Fri 10am-12.30pm, Sat 10am-1pm) lies at the far western end of Porlock and claims to be the friendliest in the entire South-West.
    The village is big enough for two small supermarkets, Costcutter (Mon-Thur 7.30am-8pm, Fri & Sat 7.30am-9pm, Sun 7.30am-6pm) towards the western end of town and One Stop Local Stores (daily 7am-10pm), which has an ATM (free), at the eastern end.
    Opposite the Costcutter is a shop, Exmoor Rambler, selling walking gear, and the post office (Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm, Sat 9am-12.30pm). Nearby on the High St, Porlock Hardware (Mon-Sat 8.30am-5.30pm) also has some camping gear.
    Porlock Pharmacy (Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm, Sat 9am-1pm) is opposite the One Stop.

Where to stay
For campers, Sparkhayes Farm Campsite (tel 01643-862470; open all year; £7pp;) is on Sparkhayes Lane just on the edge of the village. There are plenty of pitches as well as laundry and hot shower facilities and a fridge freezer. Porlock Caravan Park (tel 01643-862255, www.tudorcottage.net; 2D/1T; wi-fi; from £35pp, £50 sgl occ), a 15th-century cottage with a splendid garden and wonderful views across to Porlock Weir.(tel 01643-862269, www.porlockcara vanpark.co.uk; mid Mar to end Oct; ? £1), at the High Bank end of the village, charges £6-8/13-15 for a hiker/two people and tent including use of toilet/shower facilities.
    B&B-wise, few places here take bookings for only one night in summer, especially at weekends – but once again it’s always worth asking as they won’t turn custom away if they’ve got rooms free.
    Two places that don’t mind people staying for one night only – and which provide some of the cheapest accommodation in the village – are Reines House (tel 01643-862255, www.tudorcottage.net; 2D/1T; wi-fi; from £35pp, £50 sgl occ), a 15th-century cottage with a splendid garden and wonderful views across to Porlock Weir. (tel 01643 -862913, www.reineshouse.co.uk; 1S or D/1D/2D, T or F;wi-fi; £5; from £29pp), near the church; and, on Doverhay, unfussy, amiable The Butterflies (tel 01643-862695, www.butterfliesporlock.co.uk; 1D/1D or T;  wi-fi; £27.50pp, £35 sgl occ).
    In a village with so much thatch it’s possible that you’ll end up sleeping under a roof of straw, such as at The Gables (tel  01643-863432, : www.thegablesporlock .co.uk; 1D or T/2D/1F;  wi-fi in public areas; no one-night bookings Easter to end Sep on Fri or Sat; £32.50pp, £45 sgl occ), a gorgeous 17th-century country home on Doverhay Rd, its ancient exterior belying the modern facilities on offer including DVDs and games rental.
    A more humble straw-topped 17th-century dwelling, Myrtle Cottage (tel 01643-862978, www.myrtleporlock.co .uk; 2D/1T/1F;  wi-fi; £27.50pp, £30 sgl occ) advertises B&BB (bed and big breakfast) in addition to providing timber-beamed rooms in a central location. One-night stays are fine here.
    Further ancient accommodation (though this time thatch-free) can be had at the fairly grand 17th-century Sparkhayes Farmhouse (tel 01643-862765; 1D/1T or F; £30pp, sgl occ £35), on the lane of the same name, and The Cottage (tel 01643-862996, www.cottageporlock.co.uk; 2D/ 2D or T;  wi-fi in public areas; £27.50-35pp, £37.50 sgl occ), another gorgeous little place, this time on the High St. Moving forward a century or two, the large and impressive Victorian Rose Bank Guest House (tel 01643-862728, www.rose bankguesthouse.co.uk; 1S/1D/3D or T/1F;  wi-fi; £25-35pp, sgl £35) has a great reputation. Nearby, opposite the Visitor Centre, Sea View (tel  01643-863456, www.seaviewporlock.co.uk; 1S/2D/1T;  wi-fi; £25-27pp, sgl £50) lives up to its name.
    Sea views are also available from the rooms at Hurlestone B&B (tel 01643-862589, www.hurlestonebandb.co.uk; 3D; wi-fi;  £30-40pp, sgl occ £50), by the entrance to Sparkhayes Farm Campsite.
    Overstream Guest House (tel 01643-862421, www.overstreamhotel.co.uk; 1S or D/3D/2D or T/1F; wi-fi; £27-30pp, £35 sgl), a sunny, pleasant and friendly place built opposite the church. Overstream is licensed and their bar is open for guests.
    Finally, there are some hotels: The Lorna Doone (tel 01643-862404, www .lornadoonehotel.co.uk; 9S or D/2D or T/2D or F;  wi-fi; £25-42.50pp, sgl occ £40), slightly more salubrious and superior and with very flexible rooms; and The Oaks Hotel (tel 01643-862265,  www.oakshotel.co.uk; 8D or T; wi-fi; from £75pp, sgl occ rates on request; Easter-Oct), which is slightly grander and on the edge of the village, with great views across to the sea from some rooms.
    At the time of research The Castle Hotel was on the market. However, by the time you are here it may have been bought and be providing accommodation again.

Where to eat and drink
You certainly won’t starve in Porlock, with plenty of tearooms, cafés and restaurants all along the main street.
    During the day the pick of the traditional tearooms are The Whortleberry Tearoom (tel 01643-862337, :www .whortleberry.co.uk; Easter to Oct Tue-Sat 9.30am-5pm, Oct to Easter Wed-Sat 9.30am-5pm), which is named after the local blueberry (see box p22); The Olde Chapel (tel 01643-862241; Feb to early Dec daily 10am-8pm), a large establishment that was formerly a Methodist chapel, with tables outside on the street where you can tuck into homemade soups, freshly ground coffee and fresh crab sandwiches (£6.95); and Home Cook Café (tel 07790-725357; Easter to Oct Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm, Sat to 5.30pm, Sun 10.30am-5pm; Nov to Easter Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 11am-4pm but hours depend on demand) which lives up to its name by making their own soups, cakes and scones. Even if you don’t fancy eating there, do take time to visit The Big Cheese Deli and Tearoom (tel 01643-862773, www.thebigcheeseporlock.co .uk; Mar-Dec daily 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm; Jan & Feb Tue-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm), the local champions of cheese (they usually have at least 50 on sale) as well as other locally produced comestibles including wines, jams and vinegars.
    There’s a surprisingly good choice of places to eat in the evening too. For cheap eats, there’s a pizza wagon that pulls up outside the Visitor Centre on Thursday nights, with a fish and chip van that calls in at the same place on Wednesdays.
    Piggy in the Middle (tel 01643-862647; mid Feb to Dec Mon-Sat 7-10pm) is a restaurant which may also serve takeaway pizzas or fish & chips (5-6.45pm) before the restaurant opens. Nearby, Doone’s Restaurant (see Where to stay), in The Lorna Doone, is open throughout the day, serving breakfast (daily 8-10am) to both residents and non-residents, before converting to a coffee-shop during the day (cream tea £4.95), then transforming itself into a restaurant from 5.30pm with hearty dishes such as venison pie with sautéed potatoes & vegetables (£16.50).
    The Royal Oak (food served daily noon-2.30pm & 6.30-9.15pm) is a pub with traditional pub grub including a great steak-and-ale pie. Its status as the most popular place in town is rivalled only by the ancient Ship Inn, a cosy, fascinating, slightly eccentric pub (check out the displays of battle helmets, gas masks, and even a ‘German officer’s uniform’, as worn by an extra in the film The Great Escape) with local ales (and even local crisps) including the potent 6.6% Exmoor Beast (see box p23).

Transport
[See also pp49-51]  Bus-wise, there’s Quantock’s No 39 service running from Minehead to Porlock Weir and back. Their open-top No 300 (seasonal) calls in on its way between Minehead and Lynmouth. Buses stop at the Visitor Centre.
    For a taxi try Colin Strange at Porlock Taxis (tel  01643-862739). 01643-862255, www.tudorcottage.net; 2D/1T;  wi-fi; from £35pp, £50 sgl occ), a 15th-century cottage with a splendid garden and wonderful views across to Porlock Weir.

Porlock
Though 15 minutes from the path, Porlock remains a popular stopover on the SWCP. The plentiful accommodation, amenities, attractions and ancient architecture are enough to tempt the tiring walker off the trail.
    A survey of 2010 based on data from the Office of National Statistics found the village to have the oldest average population in the UK, with over 40% above pensionable age – and indeed the village is venerable in many ways. The place was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 (as ‘Portloc’) and several of the village’s buildings are only slightly younger. The oldest, The Chantry, has parts dating back to the 12th century. The truncated tower on the neighbouring Church of St Dubricius (named after a 6th-century Welsh saint who, according to legend, crowned King Arthur and later married him to Guinevere) was built only a few decades later; while, inside the church, you’ll find fragments of a cross that date back to pre-Norman times.
    The main street is also scattered with more old thatched cottages than you can shake a sheaf of straw at, from The Old Rose and Crown Cottage (formerly a pub), opposite the church, to the 13th-century Ship Inn at the western end of the village.
    For a more intimate look at one of Porlock’s hoary homes, Dovery Manor Museum (www.doverymanormuseum .org.uk; Mon-Fri 10am-1pm & 2-5pm, Sat 10.30am-12.30pm & 2-4pm; free admission) is housed in a 15th-century manor house and has a physic garden based on designs from medieval times.
    A few steps away, Exmoor Classic Cars (tel  01643-841476; Easter to end Sep, Fri-Sun & Bank Hols 11am-4pm; £3) is a wonderful little collection of gleaming vintage cars and bikes, some of which are as old as the inhabitants of Porlock themselves. While at the other end of the village, the Visitor Centre (see below) boasts a small village museum including many of the items discovered on the beach that pre-date even Porlock (see box p84).
    See p16 for details of the Porlock Arts Festival.

Services
The Visitor Centre (tel  01643-863150, www.porlock.co.uk; Easter to end Oct Mon-Fri 10am-12.30pm & 2-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-1pm; Nov to Easter Mon-Fri 10am-12.30pm, Sat 10am-1pm) lies at the far western end of Porlock and claims to be the friendliest in the entire South-West.
    The village is big enough for two small supermarkets, Costcutter (Mon-Thur 7.30am-8pm, Fri & Sat 7.30am-9pm, Sun 7.30am-6pm) towards the western end of town and One Stop Local Stores (daily 7am-10pm), which has an ATM (free), at the eastern end.
    Opposite the Costcutter is a shop, Exmoor Rambler, selling walking gear, and the post office (Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm, Sat 9am-12.30pm). Nearby on the High St, Porlock Hardware (Mon-Sat 8.30am-5.30pm) also has some camping gear.
    Porlock Pharmacy (Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm, Sat 9am-1pm) is opposite the One Stop.

Where to stay
For campers, Sparkhayes Farm Campsite (tel  01643-862470; open all year; £7pp; ) is on Sparkhayes Lane just on the edge of the village. There are plenty of pitches as well as laundry and hot shower facilities and a fridge freezer. Porlock Caravan Park (tel  01643-862269, www.porlockcara vanpark.co.uk; mid Mar to end Oct; ? £1), at the High Bank end of the village, charges £6-8/13-15 for a hiker/two people and tent including use of toilet/shower facilities.
    B&B-wise, few places here take bookings for only one night in summer, especially at weekends – but once again it’s always worth asking as they won’t turn custom away if they’ve got rooms free.
    Two places that don’t mind people staying for one night only – and which provide some of the cheapest accommodation in the village – are Reines House (tel  01643 -862913, www.reineshouse.co.uk; 1S or D/1D/2D, T or F; ?; wi-fi; ? £5; from £29pp), near the church; and, on Doverhay, unfussy, amiable The Butterflies (tel 01643-862695, www.butterfliesporlock.co.uk; 1D/1D or T;  wi-fi; £27.50pp, £35 sgl occ).
    In a village with so much thatch it’s possible that you’ll end up sleeping under a roof of straw, such as at The Gables (tel 01643-863432, www.thegablesporlock .co.uk; 1D or T/2D/1F;  wi-fi in public areas; no one-night bookings Easter to end Sep on Fri or Sat; £32.50pp, £45 sgl occ), a gorgeous 17th-century country home on Doverhay Rd, its ancient exterior belying the modern facilities on offer including DVDs and games rental.
    A more humble straw-topped 17th-century dwelling, Myrtle Cottage (tel  01643-862978, : www.myrtleporlock.co .uk; 2D/1T/1F;  wi-fi; £27.50pp, £30 sgl occ) advertises B&BB (bed and big breakfast) in addition to providing timber-beamed rooms in a central location. One-night stays are fine here.
    Further ancient accommodation (though this time thatch-free) can be had at the fairly grand 17th-century Sparkhayes Farmhouse (tel  01643-862765; 1D/1T or F; £30pp, sgl occ £35), on the lane of the same name, and The Cottage (tel  01643-862996, www.cottageporlock.co.uk; 2D/ 2D or T;  wi-fi in public areas; £27.50-35pp, £37.50 sgl occ), another gorgeous little place, this time on the High St. Moving forward a century or two, the large and impressive Victorian Rose Bank Guest House (tel 01643-862728, www.rose bankguesthouse.co.uk; 1S/1D/3D or T/1F; wi-fi; £25-35pp, sgl £35) has a great reputation. Nearby, opposite the Visitor Centre, Sea View (tel  01643-863456, www.seaviewporlock.co.uk; 1S/2D/1T; wi-fi; £25-27pp, sgl £50) lives up to its name.
    Sea views are also available from the rooms at Hurlestone B&B (tel  01643-862589, www.hurlestonebandb.co.uk; 3D; wi-fi; £30-40pp, sgl occ £50), by the entrance to Sparkhayes Farm Campsite.
    Overstream Guest House (tel 01643-862421, www.overstreamhotel.co.uk; 1S or D/3D/2D or T/1F; wi-fi; £27-30pp, £35 sgl), a sunny, pleasant and friendly place built opposite the church. Overstream is licensed and their bar is open for guests.
    Finally, there are some hotels: The Lorna Doone (tel 01643-862404, www .lornadoonehotel.co.uk; 9S or D/2D or T/2D or F; wi-fi; £25-42.50pp, sgl occ £40), slightly more salubrious and superior and with very flexible rooms; and The Oaks Hotel (tel  01643-862265, www.oakshotel.co.uk; 8D or T; wi-fi; from £75pp, sgl occ rates on request; Easter-Oct), which is slightly grander and on the edge of the village, with great views across to the sea from some rooms.
    At the time of research The Castle Hotel was on the market. However, by the time you are here it may have been bought and be providing accommodation again.

Where to eat and drink
You certainly won’t starve in Porlock, with plenty of tearooms, cafés and restaurants all along the main street.
    During the day the pick of the traditional tearooms are The Whortleberry Tearoom (tel  01643-862337, www .whortleberry.co.uk; Easter to Oct Tue-Sat 9.30am-5pm, Oct to Easter Wed-Sat 9.30am-5pm), which is named after the local blueberry (see box p22); The Olde Chapel (tel  01643-862241; Feb to early Dec daily 10am-8pm), a large establishment that was formerly a Methodist chapel, with tables outside on the street where you can tuck into homemade soups, freshly ground coffee and fresh crab sandwiches (£6.95); and Home Cook Café (tel  07790-725357; Easter to Oct Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm, Sat to 5.30pm, Sun 10.30am-5pm; Nov to Easter Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 11am-4pm but hours depend on demand) which lives up to its name by making their own soups, cakes and scones. Even if you don’t fancy eating there, do take time to visit The Big Cheese Deli and Tearoom (tel  01643-862773, www.thebigcheeseporlock.co .uk; Mar-Dec daily 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm; Jan & Feb Tue-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm), the local champions of cheese (they usually have at least 50 on sale) as well as other locally produced comestibles including wines, jams and vinegars.
    There’s a surprisingly good choice of places to eat in the evening too. For cheap eats, there’s a pizza wagon that pulls up outside the Visitor Centre on Thursday nights, with a fish and chip van that calls in at the same place on Wednesdays.
    Piggy in the Middle (tel  01643-862647; mid Feb to Dec Mon-Sat 7-10pm) is a restaurant which may also serve takeaway pizzas or fish & chips (5-6.45pm) before the restaurant opens. Nearby, Doone’s Restaurant (see Where to stay), in The Lorna Doone, is open throughout the day, serving breakfast (daily 8-10am) to both residents and non-residents, before converting to a coffee-shop during the day (cream tea £4.95), then transforming itself into a restaurant from 5.30pm with hearty dishes such as venison pie with sautéed potatoes & vegetables (£16.50).
    The Royal Oak (food served daily noon-2.30pm & 6.30-9.15pm) is a pub with traditional pub grub including a great steak-and-ale pie. Its status as the most popular place in town is rivalled only by the ancient Ship Inn, a cosy, fascinating, slightly eccentric pub (check out the displays of battle helmets, gas masks, and even a ‘German officer’s uniform’, as worn by an extra in the film The Great Escape) with local ales (and even local crisps) including the potent 6.6% Exmoor Beast (see box p23).

Transport
[See also pp49-51]  Bus-wise, there’s Quantock’s No 39 service running from Minehead to Porlock Weir and back. Their open-top No 300 (seasonal) calls in on its way between Minehead and Lynmouth. Buses stop at the Visitor Centre.
    For a taxi try Colin Strange at Porlock Taxis (% 01643-862739).

 

Exmoor & North Devon Coast Path (South-West Coast Path Part 1)

Excerpts:

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