Porlock The Ship Inn, Porlock, Exmoor National Park
[Main photo: Porlock The Ship Inn and the A39 that cuts across Exmoor]
One of the oldest inns on Exmoor
The Ship Inn is one of the oldest inns on Exmoor. It’s a great place to stop for food and a drink if you’re exploring Porlock Vale and Porlock Bay.
The Coleridge Way long distance walking route runs past the inn. The South West Coast Path is nearby. Dunkery and Horner Wood National Nature Reserve rises above Porlock. Dunkery Beacon is the highest point in Exmoor National Park.
Location of Porlock The Ship Inn
The Ship Inn is located on the western side of Porlock village on the A39 and across the road from Porlock Visitor Centre.
Porlock village is located in Porlock Vale that extends inland from Porlock Bay and the Exmoor coast.
We’ve positioned The Ship Inn on Google maps. Zoom in on the ‘Satellite’ setting to see its location.
Directions to, and parking at, Porlock The Ship Inn
The A39 runs through Porlock. If you’re coming from the west, descend Porlock Hill and enter the village. You’ll see The Ship Inn to your right. If you’re coming from the east, drive the A39 through the centre of the village to get to the pub.
‘On-site car parking is available.’ (Source: The Ship Inn website.)
Porlock The Ship Inn
‘Welcome to this historic 13th century coaching inn. The Ship Inn, known locally as the Top Ship, is one of the oldest inns on Exmoor, with roaring log burners in the winter and a large outdoor seating area and children’s play area for summer months. We have ample bar and restaurant space and pride ourselves in offering great service and serving a varied selection of homemade meals and snacks. Pets are most welcome and on-site car parking is available.’ (Source: The Ship Inn website.)
Note that The Ship Inn in Porlock and The Bottom Ship Inn in Porlock Weir. The Bottom Ship Inn is a coastal pub overlooking Porlock Bay. Great access to the beach and sea. The South West Coast Path runs past the pub and the Coleridge Way is nearby.
Historical and cultural attractions near near Porlock The Ship Inn
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 Porlock The Ship Inn
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 Porlock The Ship Inn
Porlock Beach. Big rock and pebble beach at the western end of Porlock Bay.
Bossington Beach. Big rock and pebble beach at the eastern end of Porlock Bay.
Porlock Ridge and Saltmarsh SSSI/Site of Special Scientific Interest. The ridge lines the back of Porlock Beach and Bossington Beach. The marsh is a large area behind the ridge.
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 Porlock The Ship Inn
Porlock Weir. Amazing coastal village with harbour, pub, hotel and beach.
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.
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.
Photo Gallery
