Allerford Packhorse Bridge, Porlock, Exmoor National Park
[Main photo: Allerford Packhorse Bridge close to the A39 and Porlock in Porlock Vale]
Pretty medieval packhorse bridge
Allerford is known for its pretty medieval packhorse bridge. It’s one of many beautiful Exmoor villages that sit below Selworthy Beacon and Bossington Hill. You can visit Selworthy, Allerford and Bossington in a morning or afternoon.
The National Trust and Historic England date the packhorse bridge as medieval. Various websites specify the 15th century. The local architecture is amazing as well.
Location of Allerford Packhorse Bridge
Allerford village is located close to the sea and Porlock Bay at the eastern end of Exmoor’s remarkable coastline. Allerford Packhorse Bridge is situated close to the A39.
We’ve positioned Allerford Packhorse Bridge on Google maps. Zoom in on the ‘Satellite’ setting to see its location.
Directions to, and parking at, Allerford Packhorse Bridge
Follow the A39 to the Porlock Vale area. Allerford is to the east of Porlock. Take the turning off the A39 to Alleford and Allerford Packhorse Bridge.
There’s a car park opposite Allerford Museum/West Somerset Rural Life Museum and Victorian School in the village.
Allerford Packhorse Bridge
‘Packhorse bridge (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD). A medieval packhorse bridge at Allerford, with two arches spanning the River Aller. The width of the path is over 1m, it is cobbled and the parapets are local stone. The central pier has a cutwater on the upriver side. The ford, also on the upriver side, is deep even when the river is apparently low. Condition: good.’ (Source: National Trust Heritage Records website.)
‘Allerford packhorse bridge, immediately north of Cross Lane Farm survives well with no major modern refurbishment and is a good example of its class of monument, which has remained continually in use. The packhorse bridge is well known and provides an important focal point in a village which is very popular with tourists.’ (Source: Historic England website.)
Other bridges to visit in Exmoor National Park
Gallox Bridge (English Heritage). English Heritage bridge on the outskirts of Dunster.
Oare Bridge. Bridge close to Oare Church and Doone Country.
Landacre Bridge. Impressive medieval bridge spanning the River Barle near Withypool on Exmoor’s high moor near the Two Moors Way and Withypool Common.
Tarr Steps. Popular visitor attraction near Dulverton in the southern section of the national park.
Historical and cultural attractions near Allerford Packhorse Bridge
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 Allerford Packhorse Bridge
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 Allerford Packhorse Bridge
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 Allerford Packhorse Bridge
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.
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