Porlock village, population of around 1,400, is situated on the A39 between Minehead and Lynton/Lynmouth. The area is Exmoor, Lorna Doone country, wild and bleak especially in winter, and Porlock sits at the back of a cove, sheltered to some degree by a steep hill to the west It is one of the best places I have ever stayed, and I have find memories of Porlock, in particular the SparkHayes campsite which I visited many times.
Porlock is a truly great place, but the most famous feature of all is ‘The Hill’. It is the UK’s steepest ‘A’ road.
This photo shows Porlock, well, part of it, pointing in the direction of the ‘Hill’.
Driving west out of the village, you see a ‘Y’ junction and a large sign. This is your chance to ‘chicken’ out. If you go to the right, the amble is a relaxing 1 in 14 climb. Nah, go for the big one!!
As you bear left, the street narrows out, and you will get a strong whiff of burning brakes and clutches from the vehicles which have made the descent. You can still chicken out if you make a left into the area by the large house and turn around. Just beyond the house, you will already have seen a very tight and steep turn to the right. Still game for the challenge?
For many vehicles, especially the smaller ones, this is first gear stuff. The steep climb continues and there are more tight turns. After a while, it seems like the ‘hill’ is going to flatten out, and it does but ever so slightly. Porlock Hill is not just the steep beginning. There is around three miles of unrelenting climb, and as long as you can see trees and hedgerows at the side, you are not out of it.
It is only at the very top, on a clear patch of Exmoor that you can say ‘we made it’. Some might want to park up on the rough car park at the top to reflect on the journey so far, and take in the fantastic views of Exmoor coastline.
If you are intending to continue to Lynmouth and Lynton, both well worth a visit, the rollercoaster ride is only just beginning because as you know, what goes up must at some point go ‘down’
‘Down’ is Countisbury Hill, not quite as steep as Porlock Hill, but it goes on forever, and again affords fantastic views for the vehicle’s passengers. No No, you look where your are going. You can see the photos we take when we get to the bottom..
You can spend a a very pleasant day in Lynton/Lynmouth, There is a quaint harbour, a waterfall, some nice shops, and great photo opportunities. If you have a boat in tow and it is your first time here, talk to the Harbour Master about the tides. In this part of the world, when the tide goes out, it goes out out out out.
You do not want to be caught out by the tide, because when it goes out, you can see some of the large boulders that came down the gorge during the great ‘Lynmouth Floode’ in 1952. The boulders make it very difficult to get back to the completely water free harbour, and it can be a lonely wait on the water outside of the harbour as you wait for the tide to rise.
After your visit, rescue your driver from the seat where he/she has sat, white knuckled, holding on for dear life. Assure the driver that he/she has your full support for the drive back to Porlock, and that you will give notice, albeit not much maybe, before you jump from the vehicle.
And remember that life could be worse. You could be rolling out of control on Ffordd Penllech in Harlech, West Wales, or hoping to get off Hardknott Pass in Cumbria without leaving the safety of your vehicle and before winters sets in.
At this point, I would post a link to the subject. I am not going to do that. Instead, I will post a link for Exmoor. When you see how beautiful this part of the world is, you won’t worry about the hills at all..
