Bossington Hill (National Trust), Porlock, Exmoor National Park

Bossington Hill (National Trust), Porlock, Exmoor National Park

[Main photo: information board on Bossington Hill]

 

Bossington Hill (National Trust) provides a classic Exmoor coastal view

Bossington is a coastal village near Porlock in Exmoor National Park. Bossington Hill is part of the huge whaleback hill that rises to the east of Bossington. Walk to the top to enjoy magnificent views of the area including a classic Exmoor coastal view.

 

Location of Bossington Hill (National Trust)

A huge whaleback hill rises between Minehead and Porlock Vale in the north eastern section of Exmoor National Park. The eastern end of this hill is called North Hill. The western end is called Bossington Hill.

We’ve positioned Bossington Hill on Google maps. Zoom in on the ‘Satellite’ setting to see its location.

 

Directions to, and parking at, Bossington Hill (National Trust)

Various paths rise to the top of Bossington Hill. Try following the South West Coast Path. This takes you in the direction of Hurlstone Point and then cuts back on itself in Hurlstone Combe. There’s a National Trust car park in Bossington village.

You can also walk up from Selworthy through Selworthy Wood. There’s a National Trust car park in Selworthy village.

For a long walk in, follow the South West Coast Path from Minehead. You can also park at Quay West Car Park by Minehead Harbour and follow the South West Coast Path. There’s street parking along the Esplanade and Quay Street. There are various car parks in town. Try Station Car Park, North Road Car Park, Clanville Car Park, Summerland Car Park and Alexandra Car Park. There are lots of car parks by Butlin’s Minehead if you’re staying there.

 

Bossington Hill (National Trust)

‘Welcome to Bossington Hill, part of the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate. From here you can enjoy the spectacular panorama over the Vale of Porlock. On a clear day, you can see across to Wales and the Gower Peninsula. When you’ve taken in the view, why not explore this lovely countryside - it’s all open access so you can wander at will.

Fantastic for wildlife. The open moorland here is so precious for wildlife that it has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). In summer, it is swathed in purple heather and bright yellow gorse. On the sunny slopes, look for fritillary butterflies such as the silver-washed, dark green and high brown. The cliffs often echo with the deep conking call of ravens, and the eerie high-pitched cries of the peregrine falcon. At dusk in June and July, listen for the churring of nightjars. To protect the wildlife, please keep your dogs on leads.

Caring for nature. Without careful management, this wonderful open heathland would turn into woodland. To prevent this, the area is grazed by cattle and sheep. Their constant nibbling trims the vegetation and ensures that heather doesn’t get smothered by other plants. The National Trust also burns small areas to ensure that there is always a mix of old and young vegetation - providing ideal conditions for a wide range of wildlife.

Reminders of the past. The whole estate is dotted with fascinating reminders of the past. The road was built for military vehicles in the Second World War, and you might spot the remains of wartime pillboxes and targets. The stone memorial hut, inscribed with verse, was built in 1878 to commemorate the former owner of the estate, Sir Thomas Dyke Acland. There is also a memorial cross to him in the woodland ahead of you.

Explore the Holnicote Estate. The Holnicote Estate (pronounced Hunnicut) stretches for 20 square miles. It was given to the National Trust in 1944 by the Acland family after 200 years of ownership. Why not visit the estate, including: Horner Wood, an ancient woodland which echoes with birdsong and rushing water. Dunkery Beacon, a wilderness of open heathland and the highest point on Exmoor. Selworthy village with its warm yellow thatched cottages and rural views.’ (Source: National Trust information board by the car park on the south side of Bossington Hill a short walk from Selworthy Beacon.)

The views from Bossington Hill and Selworthy Beacon are magnificent.

On top of Bossington Hill, on a clear day, you see Porlock Bay with its pebble beaches, pebble/shingle ridge and marsh, Porlock Weir and heavily wooded cliffs that lead to Foreland Point and its lighthouse near Lynmouth and Lynton. Moving your gaze inland, you’ll see Porlock Vale, Porlock Hill, Hawkcombe Woods National Nature Reserve, Dunkery and Horner Wood National Nature Reserve and Exmoor’s highest ground on Dunkery Hill at Dunkery Beacon. The Welsh coastline is visible across the Bristol Channel.

Continue from Bossington Hill to Selworthy Beacon.

Also visit Bossington village.

‘Welcome to Bossington, part of the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate. The village is made up of delightful thatched cottages in the local style. If you walk along the riverside path to the sea, you will discover fantastic views, the wildlife of the salt marshes, and several fascinating reminders of the past.

Reminders of the past. If you walk down the beach, you’ll notice some ruined buildings. They include the remains of several lime kilns. Limestone was brought in by boat from South Wales, then burnt in kilns to produce lime. The lime was used as fertiliser on farmland, and for lime mortar and lime-wash for local buildings. There are also the remains of Second World War pillboxes, built to defend the coastline against invasion. Their position shows how sea levels have risen - they were originally set well back from the shoreline.

Journey’s end for Horner Water. Horner Water rushes through the village on its way to meet the sea at Bossington Beach - the end of its eight mile journey from the highest peak of Exmoor. The river emerges into the sea by filtering through the shingle bank. On this last stretch, watch for brown trout which attract the keen interest of herons.

Sea breach creates wildlife haven. In the past, attempts were made to prevent the sea from breaching the shingle ridge across Porlock Bay. The National Trust and other conservation bodies felt that as our climate changes and sea levels rise, natural processes should be allowed to take place. During a storm in 1996, the sea broke through the ridge and flooded the land beyond. Although it seemed disastrous, a large expanse of saltmarsh has now developed and become a precious habitat.

The marsh is now carpeted with plants such as sea purslane, glasswort, sea aster and yellow horned poppies. Its amazing bird life includes huge flocks of finches and buntings, as well as little egret, curlew, lapwing and oystercatcher.’ (Source: National Trust information board at Bossington.)

 

Historical and cultural attractions near near Bossington Hill (National Trust)

Allerford Museum West Somerset Rural Life Museum and Victorian School.

Rowbarrows west of Dunkery Beacon. Explore some of Exmoor’s rich prehistory.

Further away, visit:

Minehead Harbour. Harbour in stunning location at the western end of Minehead Beach under North Hill. ‘There has been a harbour at Minehead since the late 1300s.’ (Source: Minehead Harbour website.)

Dunster Castle (National Trust). Impressive National Trust property dominating the beautiful village of Dunster.

Dunster Yarn Market, Butter Cross and Gallox Bridge (English Heritage). English Heritage properties in Dunster.

Cleeve Abbey (English Heritage). Wonderful English Heritage property just east of Exmoor National Park.

The Ancient Mariner Sculpture in Watchet. The Watchet and Quantock Hills National Landscape area inspired Samuel Taylor Coleridge to write ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’.

Coleridge Cottage (National Trust). Visit the cottage in which Coleridge lived and wrote some of his most famous poetry. William Wordsworth lived, briefly, nearby.

Doone Valley/Doone Country. Richard Doddridge Blackmore's famous novel 'Lorna Doone' is set on Exmoor. Roughly speaking, Doone Valley/Doone Country runs south of Malmsmead and Oare along Badgworhty Water. It’s surrounded by high moor. Great walking.

 

Gardens near Bossington Hill (National Trust)

Selworthy Green (National Trust). 'There has been a village here since medieval times, but the current cottages were designed by Sir Thomas Dyke Acland in 1828 to create attractive homes for estate pensioners. Beyond the church (14th century), you'll find the village green, surrounded by warm yellow thatched cottages. Notice the tall chimneys which helped to draw the fire and carry sparks away from the thatch.' (Source: information board at Selworthy.)

Further away, visit:

Minehead Blenheim Gardens. Popular gardens behind the Esplanade and North Road at the western end of Minehead Beach.

Dunster Gardens, Dovecote and Tithe Barn. Gardens in the centre of Dunster village.

Dunster Castle (National Trust). The castle is surrounded by many gardens and heavily wooded walkways. The Keep Garden tops the hill on which the castle sits. Lawn’s Bridge, Marshall’s Bridge and Lovers’ Bridge span the River Avill on the eastern side of the castle.

Knightshayes (National Trust). Impressive gardens just off the A396 between Exmoor National Park and Tiverton.

Cothay Manor. Again, gardens outside the national park near Wellington and the M5.

Hestercombe House & Gardens. Gardens located just south of the Quantock Hills National Landscape near Taunton and the M5.

If you don’t mind the drive, RHS Garden Rosemoor by Great Torrington south west of Exmoor National Park is magnificent.

 

Other attractions near Bossington Hill (National Trust)

Bossington Beach. Big rock and pebble beach at the eastern end of Porlock Bay. 

Porlock Beach. Big rock and pebble beach at the western end of Porlock Bay.

Porlock Ridge and Saltmarsh SSSI/Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Porlock Weir Harbour. Beautiful harbour with pub and hotel.

West Somerset Railway. Heritage railway running between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard.

Dunster Estate (The Crown Estate). Home to England’s tallest tree. Great for walks and views. Wander up to Conygar Tower.

Dunster Beach. Massive low tide sand and stone beach.

 

Villages and towns near Bossington Hill (National Trust)

Bossington. Village by Bossington Beach below Bossington Hill.

Allerford village. Beautiful village further inland known for its packhorse bridge.

Selworthy village. One of the West Country’s prettiest villages, Selworthy is famous for its thatched cottages and village green. Enjoy a cream tea at the Periwinkle Tea Room.

Horner village. Another beautiful Exmoor village at the bottom of Horner Wood by Horner Water. Enjoy a cream tea at Horner Tea Gardens.

Luccombe. Village not far from the viewpoint and large car park at Webber’s Post with thatched cottages like those at Selworthy.

Porlock. Famous West Country village in Porlock Vale.

Porlock Weir. Amazing coastal village with harbour, pub, hotel and beach.

Minehead. Popular West Country resort town with huge beach and harbour. The start/end of the South West Coast Path.

Dunster. Essential visiting. Beautiful village dominated by Dunster Castle (National Trust) with English Heritage properties, Dunster National Park Visitor Centre and plenty of shops and places to eat and drink. Park of Dunster Estate (Crown Estate) with England’s tallest tree and super walk and views.