Route Highlight
Porlock Bay
Follow the A39 as it sweep across the curves of Exmoor and down the steep bends of Porlock Hill. The heather-swathed shadow of Dunkery Beacon, Exmoor’s highest peak, overlooks the wide sweep of this quietly unspoilt bay.
The beach is rocky, dangerous and prone to storms and flooding – which means it is a marvellously undeveloped seaside landscape to explore. Walk among white petrified trees to the tiny charming harbour at Porlock Weir and the impossibly cute National Trust village of Bossington.
The main village of Porlock has gift shops, galleries, tearooms and pubs – but the real treasures are the scenic walks and drives in all directions.
Recommended explorations include another photogenic National Trust village of Selworthy and the 360-degree Exmoor views from the top of Dunkery Beacon itself.
During your trip
Other Route Highlights
Recommended Detour
Drive west from Lynton or, even better, take the short walk to the Valley of the Rocks. This coast path winds between wild flowers and bare rocky outcrops with plunging views across the sea.
Lynton and Lynmouth
The road winds down steep, wooded cliffs into the old fishing village of Lynmouth. At the rocky mouth of an Exmoor River that becomes a torrent during storms, Lynmouth’s magical location makes it a popular tourist day-trip from the North Devon resorts – but it’s usually easy to avoid the crowds.
Dunster
Catch Dunster at a quiet time and you’ll see why it can be one of the most popular and busy visitor spots along this whole stretch of coast. The romantic towers of a National Trust castle peep from trees above half-timbered cottages, cobbled streets and a much-photographed medieval market hall.
