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Porlock

Porlock is a coastal village and civil parish in Somerset, England, located on the northern boundary of Exmoor National Park at the head of Porlock Bay on the Bristol Channel.^[1]^[2] With a population of 1,406 as recorded in the 2021 census, it serves as a small seaport and market town historically tied to fishing and trade.^[3] The village is renowned for its picturesque setting amid steep hills, winding valleys, and shingle beaches, as well as its role as a gateway to Exmoor's moorland and coastal landscapes.^[1]^[4] Historically, Porlock derives its name from the Saxon term "portlocan," meaning an enclosed harbor, and was once a seat of West Saxon kings before suffering invasions by Danish pirates in 918 and destruction by Harold in 1052.^[1] The settlement features notable medieval architecture, including the 13th-century Church of St Dubricius and the late 15th-century tomb of Sir John and Lady Elizabeth Harrington, reflecting its long-standing significance as a trading and ecclesiastical center.^[5] In the late 18th century, Porlock gained literary fame through its association with poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who retired to a nearby farmhouse in 1797 and claimed to have been interrupted by a "person on business from Porlock" while composing his visionary poem Kubla Khan, preventing him from completing the work from memory.^[6] This anecdote has immortalized the village in Romantic literature, underscoring its remote, inspirational Exmoor location.^[7] Geographically, Porlock lies in the hundred of Carhampton, approximately 6 miles west of Minehead and 8 miles west of Dunster, with sandy soils over hard stone subsoil and surrounded by lofty hills, deep glens, and the expansive Porlock Marsh—a dynamic coastal wetland protected as a nature reserve.^[1]^[4] The area's shingle barrier beach and high tidal range contribute to its vulnerability to coastal erosion and flooding, as evidenced by a major breach in 1996 that highlighted ongoing environmental challenges.^[8] Today, Porlock's economy revolves around tourism, drawing visitors to sites like Porlock Weir—a historic harbor with 16th- and 17th-century buildings—and walking trails such as the South West Coast Path, while its conservation area status preserves a mix of architectural styles from the medieval period to the early 20th century.^[5]^[9]

Geography

Location and Landscape

Porlock is a coastal village in Somerset, England, situated approximately 6 miles (10 km) west of Minehead along the Bristol Channel. Its geographic coordinates are 51°12′32″N 3°35′44″W. The village lies at the eastern edge of Exmoor National Park, which was designated in 1954 to protect its diverse landscapes and biodiversity.^[10]^[1] The surrounding landscape features Porlock Bay, a northwest-facing inlet exposed to Atlantic weather systems, backed by a prominent shingle ridge that forms a natural barrier approximately 4 km long between Gore Point and Hurlstone Point. This ridge, composed of coarse gravel and subject to longshore drift, has historically protected low-lying areas behind it but was significantly breached during a storm in 1996, allowing tidal waters to inundate the hinterland. Adjoining the bay to the south, Porlock Ridge rises steeply as part of Exmoor's coastal hills, with elevations reaching up to 348 meters (1,141 feet) at Porlock Hill, contributing to some of England's most dramatic sea cliffs in the region. The Porlock Ridge and Saltmarsh, designated as a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1990, spans 186.3 hectares and supports a mosaic of saltmarsh, shingle, and transitional habitats influenced by tidal dynamics and storm events.^[11]^[12]^[13] Porlock experiences a mild, temperate maritime climate, moderated by the warm North Atlantic Drift and prevailing westerly winds, resulting in relatively stable temperatures with mild winters and cool summers. The area receives an average annual rainfall of around 1,000 mm, distributed throughout the year but often intensified by Atlantic depressions, which contribute to the dynamic erosion and deposition processes shaping the coastal features. Key geological elements, such as the shingle ridge's formation from wave action and the large tidal range of up to 15 meters (mean spring range of about 12 meters) in the Bristol Channel, continue to influence the landscape's evolution, promoting habitat transitions from freshwater marsh to intertidal zones. At low tide, remnants of a submerged forest are occasionally visible on the beach, highlighting the area's long-term environmental changes.^[14]^[15]^[16]

Submerged Forest

The remains of a prehistoric submerged forest are periodically visible at low tide on Porlock Beach, consisting primarily of ancient tree stumps and roots dating to approximately 6,000–8,000 years ago during the Mesolithic period.^[17] These exposures occur intermittently, often following significant storm events that shift the overlying sand and shingle, revealing the preserved organic material embedded in peat layers.^[18] The forest formed as a woodland in a coastal plain that was inundated by rising sea levels following the end of the last Ice Age, around 6,000–8,000 years ago, transforming the area from dry land to intertidal zone.^[18] Preservation has been aided by the overlying shingle barrier of Porlock Stone, which accumulated over millennia and protected the peat deposits from full marine erosion, along with layers of silt and sand that buried the remains shortly after submergence.^[18] This natural encapsulation has maintained the integrity of the woodland remnants, providing a snapshot of the post-glacial paleoenvironment in the Bristol Channel region. Archaeological investigations have uncovered significant findings within and beneath the forest layers, including Mesolithic worked flints reported as early as 1869, indicating early human presence in the vicinity.^[19] In 1999, bones of an aurochs (Bos primigenius), an extinct wild cattle species, were discovered embedded in the silt near the beach, radiocarbon dated to around 1500 BC, representing one of the latest known individuals in Britain.^[20] Pollen analysis from peat samples has revealed a diverse Mesolithic woodland composition dominated by oak (Quercus), hazel (Corylus), and alder (Alnus), reflecting a mixed temperate forest typical of the broader Somerset lowlands during the early Holocene.^[18] The submerged forest holds substantial scientific value for understanding Holocene sea-level changes, coastal evolution, and prehistoric ecology in southwest England, contributing to regional paleoenvironmental reconstructions.^[18] Designated as part of the Porlock Bay Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 2002 for its geomorphological importance, the site is protected under UK conservation law, with guidelines from Exmoor National Park advising visitors to avoid touching or removing exposed remains to prevent damage during rare viewings.^[21]^[18]

History

Modern Developments

In the late 17th century, Porlock's economy benefited from significant herring fishing booms, particularly in 1668 and 1677, when large shoals attracted vessels from southern England's coast that rounded Cornwall to participate in the catches off Porlock Bay; local boats then transported the barrelled herring to ports such as Minehead and Bristol, with some cargoes reaching the West Indies.^[22] The Great Storm of 1703, which devastated southern England and was chronicled by Daniel Defoe, caused lasting damage by truncating the shingled spire of the medieval Church of St Dubricius.^[5] By the 19th century, Porlock Weir's harbour underwent industrial decline as silting, driven by longshore drift, progressively restricted access for larger vessels and reduced trade volumes, a process that intensified into the early 20th century until road transport supplanted sea-based commerce by the 1950s.^[22] This period also saw cultural influences from the local Exmoor landscapes, which inspired R.D. Blackmore's 1869 novel Lorna Doone, drawing on regional folklore and terrain near Porlock for its romantic depiction of 17th-century outlaws in the Doone Valley.^[23] The 20th century marked Porlock's integration into broader conservation efforts with its inclusion in Exmoor National Park, designated in 1954 to preserve the area's moorland and coastal features spanning 267 square miles across Somerset and Devon.^[24] Infrastructure developments included the establishment of the scenic toll road along Porlock Hill in the 1840s as a gentler alternative to the steep A39 gradient, providing employment post-Napoleonic Wars and offering panoramic views of Porlock Bay; this route was later modernized with improved surfacing and maintenance in the decades following World War II to accommodate growing vehicular traffic.^[25] Tourism's expansion from the late 19th century onward drove population fluctuations, with influxes of visitors boosting seasonal residency and related services while straining local resources amid the shift from maritime to leisure-based economy.^[5] In recent years, the formation of the unitary Somerset Council in April 2023 unified local governance by merging Somerset County Council with the four district councils, streamlining services such as planning and environmental management for areas like Porlock and enhancing coordinated responses to regional challenges.^[26] No major disruptive events have occurred in Porlock since 2017, though ongoing concerns about coastal erosion, exacerbated by climate change-driven sea level rise and storm intensity, continue to threaten the barrier beach and heritage assets at Porlock Weir, prompting adaptive management strategies.^[27]

Demographics and Society

Population and Composition

According to the 2021 Census, the population of Porlock parish stood at 1,406, marking a slight decline of 0.24% annually from the 1,440 residents recorded in the 2011 Census. This represents a population density of 33.42 people per square kilometer across the parish's 42.07 square kilometers. In contrast, Somerset county experienced a 7.8% population growth over the same decade, rising to 571,600 residents, highlighting Porlock's relative stability amid broader regional expansion, largely attributed to constrained housing availability in the rural Exmoor setting.^[28] Porlock's age demographics reflect a pronounced elderly population, with approximately 40% of residents aged 65 and over, a proportion sustained from earlier records where the parish held England's highest elderly ratio based on 2011 data analysis. This high elderly share is linked to retirement migration drawn by the area's tranquil Exmoor landscape and coastal appeal. Children under 16 comprise about 10% of the population, while working-age individuals (16-64) account for approximately 45%.^[29]^[3] The ethnic composition remains overwhelmingly White, with 98.9% of the total population identifying as White, exceeding broader Somerset patterns where 96.3% identify as White.^[3]

Community Life

Porlock's community is enriched by a series of annual traditions that strengthen social bonds and celebrate local heritage. The Porlock Country Fair, held each August at the village recreation ground, features family-friendly entertainment, craft stalls, and catering options, drawing residents and visitors to foster communal spirit.^[30] The Exmoor Victorian Evening, typically in December at Porlock Village Hall, encourages participants to don period costumes for talks, music, and festivities that evoke the village's historical charm.^[31] These events, alongside occasional arts initiatives like the 2024 '9 at the Chapel' exhibition showcasing local artists, are supported by the Porlock Parish Council and volunteer groups, which organize activities to promote community ties and cultural engagement.^[32] Education in Porlock centers on St Dubricius Church of England VA School, a voluntary aided primary serving children aged 2 to 9 with approximately 87 pupils, emphasizing Christian values, curiosity, and high academic standards in a nurturing environment.^[33]^[34] For secondary education, students typically attend schools in nearby Minehead. Health services are provided through the Porlock Medical Centre, a modern facility built in 2000 as part of the Dunster and Porlock Surgeries partnership, offering general practitioner care with views of the surrounding moors and sea.^[35] The community's social fabric reflects a notable elderly demographic, which influences the provision of tailored services such as independent living options at The Laurels, an Abbeyfield Society residence supporting self-reliant older adults through communal meals and activities.^[36] Age UK Somerset delivers additional support, including befriending, exercise classes, and advice on daily living, to meet these needs across the region.^[37] Efforts to preserve cultural heritage are led by the Dovery Manor Museum, a 15th-century manor house opened in 1982 and enhanced in 2006 with a Heritage Lottery Fund grant, housing artifacts that illustrate Porlock's history and engaging volunteers in conservation work.^[38] In contemporary Porlock, tourism plays a key role in promoting inclusivity by integrating visitors into local events and supporting diverse social interactions, while the village's literary associations continue to attract enthusiasts. Recent sustainability initiatives, such as the Porlock Vale Streams Riverlands Project launched under Somerset Council's climate efforts, implement nature-based solutions like habitat restoration to address environmental challenges and enhance community resilience.^[39]^[40]

Governance and Infrastructure

Local Administration

Porlock is governed as part of the unitary authority of Somerset Council, established on 1 April 2023, which replaced Somerset West and Taunton District Council.^[26] Prior to the 2019 merger that formed Somerset West and Taunton, Porlock fell under West Somerset District Council, created in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972 as part of England's non-metropolitan district reorganization. These changes reflect broader administrative reforms in Somerset aimed at consolidating services for efficiency. At the local level, Porlock forms part of the "Porlock and District" electoral ward within Somerset Council, which had a population of 2,338 according to the 2011 Census.^[41] An electoral review by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England is ongoing, with draft recommendations for new divisions published in 2025 and consultation running until August 2025, potentially affecting boundaries from the 2027 elections.^[42]^[43] The ward is represented by a single councillor, elected to address community issues at the unitary authority level.^[44] Complementing this, Porlock Parish Council manages grassroots administration, including policies on complaints, community facilities, and local environmental maintenance, which encompass bylaws for village operations.^[45] Porlock lies entirely within Exmoor National Park, designated in 1954 under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 to preserve its natural beauty and landscape.^[10] The Exmoor National Park Authority oversees planning decisions, with policies in the adopted Local Plan (2011–2031) emphasizing conservation of habitats and cultural heritage while balancing limited development to support sustainable rural communities.^[46] Administratively, Porlock's governance traces back to the medieval Hundred of Carhampton, a historic subdivision of Somerset that included the parish among its territories for judicial and fiscal purposes from before the Norman Conquest.^[1] This evolved through centuries of county-level administration into the modern unitary system, with the 2023 Somerset Council reforms specifically streamlining services such as waste management and planning permissions to reduce duplication and enhance responsiveness across former district boundaries.

Economy and Transport

Porlock's economy is predominantly driven by tourism, which forms the backbone of local employment and business activity. The sector leverages the village's location within Exmoor National Park, drawing visitors for outdoor pursuits such as hiking along the South West Coast Path and the Coleridge Way. According to 2011 Census data, accommodation and food services accounted for approximately 16% of jobs among working-age residents, while wholesale and retail trade, often tourism-related, comprised over 17%. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing represented a smaller share at around 8%, with local initiatives like Porlock Bay Oysters providing niche contributions.^[41] Hospitality plays a central role, with numerous bed-and-breakfasts, inns, and pubs—including The Ship Inn—catering to tourists seeking rural escapes. Artisan crafts and small-scale retail further support the economy, emphasizing Porlock's appeal as a gateway to Exmoor's landscapes. The 2025 film The Salt Path, featuring local sites and released in May 2025, has enhanced visitor interest and economic inflows.^[47]^[48] Bus service reductions in 2025, including cuts to the Exmoor Explorer route, have prompted concerns among businesses about declining footfall and spending.^[49] Transportation in Porlock relies heavily on road access, with the A39 trunk road traversing the notorious Porlock Hill, which has a steep 1-in-4 gradient and challenges drivers, particularly in adverse weather. Local bus services, including the number 10 route to Minehead and seasonal Exmoor Coaster links to Lynmouth, provide connections to nearby towns like Taunton; however, recent cuts to these services have impacted accessibility for tourists. Porlock lacks a railway station, with the nearest at Minehead on the heritage West Somerset Railway. Cycling infrastructure is improving along the A39 as part of active travel initiatives, integrating with the National Cycle Network to promote sustainable routes through Exmoor.^[50]^[51]^[49] The harbour at Porlock Weir faces ongoing challenges from silting, which restricts commercial shipping and requires periodic sluicing to maintain navigability for small vessels and tourism-related activities. In response, Somerset Council has invested in supporting infrastructure, including the installation of two 22kW electric vehicle charging points in 2022 to accommodate growing eco-tourism, and broader flood defense enhancements to mitigate coastal risks.^[52]^[53]^[54]

Landmarks and Culture

Church of St Dubricius

The Church of St Dubricius is the parish church of Porlock, Somerset, and a Grade I listed building recognized for its exceptional architectural and historical significance. Dedicated to the 6th-century Welsh saint Dubricius (also known as Dyfrig), a missionary bishop associated with early Celtic Christianity, the church stands as one of only six in England bearing this rare dedication. Its construction primarily dates to the 13th century, with the tower and early English arcade features reflecting that period's style, though evidence suggests a 12th-century predecessor as the first permanent structure on the site following possible Saxon origins. The building incorporates blue lias stone with red sandstone and Ham stone dressings, topped by a slate roof and wooden-shingled spire. Architecturally, the church features a 4-bay nave with a south aisle and chapel, a chancel, and a north porch added in the 15th century. The most distinctive element is the truncated octagonal broached spire on the west tower, originally around 80 feet tall but shortened after severe damage from the Great Storm of 1703, which devastated much of the West Country; the spire is clad in oak shingles, last replaced in 1933. Inside, highlights include a Perpendicular octagonal font from the 15th century with a 19th-century cover, fragments of a pre-Norman Saxon cross embedded in the west wall, and a late 15th-century alabaster tomb chest with effigies of John Harington, 4th Baron Harington (died 1418, a companion of Henry V at Agincourt), and his wife Elizabeth Courtenay; this monument, one of the finest of its kind, commemorates their contributions to the church and local patronage. A medieval rood screen was present until its removal in 1769, and the interior retains wagon and rafter roofs from 19th-century restorations, along with C14–C15 tomb chests and a pre-pendulum turret clock dating to circa 1400–1450. The church has served as a central site of Christian worship in Porlock since at least the 12th century, functioning as a community hub for baptisms, weddings, funerals, and regular services under the Church of England. Parish records document rectors beginning in the 13th century, with the earliest noted as John, son of Rogo, appointed in 1297, illustrating continuous ecclesiastical oversight through medieval and modern eras. An ancient yew tree, estimated at around 1,000 years old, in the churchyard further underscores its long-standing role in village life, possibly predating the current building. Restorations have preserved the church's fabric across centuries, including 15th-century additions like the east vestry and porch, major Victorian work in 1889–1892 directed by architect J. D. Sedding (which rebuilt the tower and added stained glass by E. Buckle in 1901), and ongoing maintenance. In the 2020s, the Porlock InSpired Heritage Project, supported by a £179,335 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2024, addresses the spire's reshingling and roof repairs, with full implementation planned for 2026 to ensure structural integrity and accessibility for future generations. As of February 2025, the project is progressing, with recent architectural assessments, though additional fundraising of £50,000 is required by June 2026 for completion.^[55]^[56]

Porlock Weir and Harbour

Porlock Weir is a coastal hamlet and harbour located approximately two miles west of Porlock village in Somerset, England, within Exmoor National Park. The site features a shingle beach backed by a quay constructed in the early 18th century from local red Triassic stone, along with grey Devonian rock and some Welsh stone, providing shelter for small boats against the Bristol Channel's strong tides. This structure creates a picturesque inlet that has long served as one of the few safe havens along the rugged Exmoor coastline.^[22] Historically, the harbour functioned as a medieval trading port, with evidence of fish weirs dating back to the 15th century and ties to early Viking access during raids on Porlock in 918 AD. Trade peaked in the 17th century, when a floating harbour system with sluice gates was introduced to maintain water levels, facilitating exports of local herring to Ireland and imports of coal from South Wales and goods from Bristol. By the 19th century, however, the port declined due to extensive silting of the bay and the rise of road and rail transport, reducing commercial activity by the 1920s.^[57]^[22]^[58] Today, Porlock Weir is a popular visitor destination, known for its scenic charm and role in leisure activities. The remnants of the 17th-century sluice gates, often visible at low tide, add to the historical ambiance alongside the shingle beach and nearby pubs like the Bottom Ship Inn, which offers harbour views and serves as a gathering spot for walkers and boaters. It supports small-scale fishing and recreational boating for yachts, while forming a key section of the South West Coast Path, attracting hikers through its coastal landscapes. The site's economic significance now lies primarily in tourism, drawing visitors to its tranquil setting.^[57]^[59]^[60] Conservation efforts at Porlock Weir emphasize ecological management and protection from coastal threats. Designated as a conservation area in 1973, the site includes timber sea defences on nearby Turkey Island and ongoing maintenance to preserve its habitats, such as revived oyster beds since 2013, which support local biodiversity and employment. The area remains vulnerable to flooding from high tides and rising sea levels, with enhancements to flood defences implemented in recent years to mitigate risks while balancing heritage and natural features.^[60]^[57]^[60]

Literary and Cultural References

Romantic Poets and Interruptions

Porlock holds a notable place in Romantic literature through its association with Samuel Taylor Coleridge's unfinished poem "Kubla Khan," composed in 1797. While residing nearby in Nether Stowey from late 1796 to mid-1798, Coleridge experienced a visionary dream at a lonely farmhouse between Porlock and Linton on the Exmoor borders, prompting him to transcribe around 200–300 lines of poetry. However, he was interrupted by an uninvited visitor described as "a person on business from Porlock," who detained him for over an hour; upon returning, Coleridge could recall only fragments, leaving the work incomplete. This anecdote, detailed in the 1816 preface to the poem, has since symbolized the fragility of creative inspiration and the disruption of artistic flow, with Porlock serving as the eponymous origin of the interrupter.^[61]^[62]^[63] Coleridge's time in the region extended beyond this incident, as he frequently walked the Exmoor trails from his Nether Stowey home, drawing inspiration from the dramatic landscapes that informed works like "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." These excursions connected him to the broader Lake Poets circle, including frequent visitors William Wordsworth and Robert Southey, who also explored Porlock's environs. Dorothy Wordsworth, accompanying her brother during their 1798 stay at nearby Alfoxden, documented the area's scenery in her journal, capturing the verdant hills, winding streams, and coastal views that echoed the Romantic emphasis on nature's sublime beauty. Southey, a close associate of Coleridge since their 1794 meeting in Oxford, visited Porlock in 1799 and composed a sonnet praising its "verdant vale so fair to sight" and "lofty hills," evoking local pastoral and folkloric elements through descriptions of ancient hedgerows and timeless rural life.^[62]^[63]^[64]^[65]^[66] The village's ties to the Lake Poets have fostered a lasting cultural legacy, positioning Porlock as a key site in their collaborative network during the late 1790s. This influence persists through modern commemorations, such as the annual Coleridge in Porlock weekend organized by the Friends of Coleridge and local authorities, featuring guided walks along Exmoor paths, poetry readings, and talks on the poets' inspirations. These events highlight Porlock's role in nurturing the Romantic movement's focus on imagination and the natural world, drawing enthusiasts to retrace the footsteps that sparked enduring literary works.^[65]^[67]^[68]

Notable Associations and Residents

Porlock has long attracted notable figures drawn to its dramatic coastal landscapes and Exmoor setting. One significant association is with author Richard Doddridge Blackmore (1825–1900), whose 1869 novel Lorna Doone prominently features the village as a key market town in its narrative of 17th-century Exmoor life.^[69] Blackmore, inspired by the region's rugged terrain during his visits, is thought to have stayed at what is now The Lorna Doone Hotel while researching the work.^[70] The Blathwayt family has maintained a prominent connection to Porlock since 1686, when William Blathwayt (1649–1717), Secretary of State to King William III, married Mary Wynter and acquired Porlock Manor through the union.^[71] The estate has remained in the Wynter-Blathwayt lineage, with descendants like Major Henry Wynter Blathwayt (1887–1917), who served in the Royal Field Artillery during World War I, and his son Christopher George Wynter Blathwayt (1912–1990), a WWII veteran awarded the Military Cross and Croix de Guerre, contributing to the manor's enduring role in local heritage and tourism.^[71] Among those born in Porlock, painter Richard Phelps (c. 1717–1785) stands out as an early artistic talent from a local family involved in church restorations.^[72] Trained under portraitist Thomas Hudson, Phelps created works for prominent West Country families such as the Aclands and Luttrells, while also designing landscape features like Conygar Tower near Dunster Castle; several of his portraits are displayed at Dovery Manor Museum in Porlock.^[72] In the late 19th and 20th centuries, Porlock became a hub for artists seeking inspiration from its scenery. British painter Frederick George Hall (1860–1948), a member of the Newlyn School, relocated to the village in 1897 and established a studio at Bramdown House, producing acclaimed landscapes and scenes of rural life that earned him a Gold Medal at the 1912 Paris Salon and exhibitions at the Royal Academy.^[72] Similarly, John Arthur Mease Lomas (1862–1950), known for his West Somerset landscapes, resided in Porlock during the 1890s before later returning to the nearby area.^[72] These residents helped cement Porlock's reputation as an artistic retreat, influencing contemporary efforts in local tourism and cultural preservation.

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[37]
Address - Dunster and Porlock Surgeries
Wednesday's opening hours are 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Address. Porlock Medical Centre Porlock TA24 8PJ. Contact information. 01643 862571 · somicb.reception ...
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Independent senior living| Abbeyfield Wessex | The Laurels | Porlock
The Laurels offers affordable, high quality living for older people who want to be as independent and self-reliant as possible without the worry of maintaining ...Welcome To Our House · Features · Social Activities
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Age UK Somerset | Our Services
From benefits advice to exercise classes, from befriending to Toenail cutting, find out about our services for older people in Somerset and North Somerset.
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About - Dovery Manor Museum
Dovery Manor, built in the 15th century, is a Grade II* listed building and the most important secular building in Porlock. It opened as a museum in 1982.Missing: structures | Show results with:structures
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partnership – Creating a better place - Environment Agency blog
Feb 15, 2024 · Porlock Vale Streams Riverlands Project offers nature-based solutions to climate change. Posted by: Environment Agency, Posted on: 15 ...
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Somerset's joint Climate Emergency Strategy
Somerset's joint Climate Emergency Strategy was published by Somerset County Council in November 2020.Timberscombe's New Plan For... · Pedal For The Planet · Friends Of Longrun Meadow
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Somerset West and Taunton - Wikipedia
Somerset West and Taunton was a local government district in Somerset, England, from 2019 to 2023. It was established on 1 April 2019.Missing: Porlock | Show results with:Porlock
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[PDF] Porlock Vale Coastal Community Team Economic Plan v4
The 2011 census data puts the population of the Porlock and District Ward at 2,338. Of that figure, there is a weighting towards the elderly, with 12.9% aged 0 ...Missing: fluctuations 20th
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Councillors by Ward - Somerset West and Taunton Council
Councillor Andy Milne. Work: cllr.a.milne@somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk. Conservative, Porlock & District. photo of Councillor Lee Baker. Councillor Lee Baker.
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Policies - Porlock Parish Council
Porlock Parish Council has policies including Complaints, Co-option, Communications, Community Noticeboards, Cemetery, Grounds Maintenance, Biodiversity, ...Missing: bylaws | Show results with:bylaws
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Local Plan Policies - Exmoor National Park
The table below sets out the policies as set out in the Local Plan 2011-2031 (adopted 4th July 2017)
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Tourism boost as Exmoor takes starring role in The Salt Path
May 2, 2025 · Tourism in Somerset and Exmoor is set for a major boost with the release of The Salt Path next month. Minehead, Porlock, Porlock Weir and ...
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Bus cuts impacting on tourism in Porlock, business owner says - BBC
Aug 25, 2025 · Businesses in a popular coastal village say visitors are spending less and not staying as long.
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Work commences on next stretch of A39 West Somerset cycle route
May 16, 2025 · Work to complete improvement works to the cycling and walking route along A39, between Minehead to Dunster, starts this week. Work is expected to take 7 weeks.
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Travel - Exmoor National Park
Travel information on getting to and around Exmoor National Park.
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Electric Vehicle charging points go live in Porlock
Apr 14, 2022 · There are two 22KW charge points with space for four vehicles and cars can be charged for up to three hours following the purchase of a car ...
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The flushing of Porlock Weir's inner harbour today. The stills ...
Mar 13, 2024 · Mark Ryland When the marina was built they closed off the river. Although it didn't completely clear the silt. There are lots of old photos ...The sluicing of Porlock Weir harbour channel | FacebookHas anyone noticed silt build up (getting shallower) since dredging?More results from www.facebook.com
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[PDF] Somerset Rivers Authority Annual Report 2022-23
During. 2022-23, contractors Binnies completed numerous studies and surveys and began designing improved flood defences. A planning application is expected by ...
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Porlock Weir - Dovery Manor Museum
There has been a harbour at Porlock Weir for more than a thousand years, providing one of the few safe havens for vessels along the rugged Exmoor coastline.
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A Recapitulation - Old Somerset - WordPress.com
May 24, 2016 · Had the Vikings landed at Porlock and marched westwards, away from the rich plunder of the eastern settlements, to Countisbury where the Devon ...
[57]
The Ship Inn (Bottom Ship) | Traditional Somerset Pub & Restaurant ...
The Ship Inn is a traditional pub with harbor views, dog-friendly, serving local ales, food, and is open daily 9am-10pm.
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[PDF] PORLOCK WEIR CONSERVATION AREA: APPRAISAL DOCUMENT
The history of Porlock Weir is closely allied with that of Porlock village. Porlock is recorded from the 10th century when it was known as Portloca ...
[59]
'person from Porlock': meaning and origin - word histories
Jun 1, 2021 · The phrase person from Porlock and its variants denote a person who interrupts at an inconvenient moment. This phrase alludes to a visitor ...
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https://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/5933/Porlock-Weir-Conservation-Area-2022-with-maps.pdf
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[PDF] A walk round Nether Stowey in 1797 with Samuel Taylor Coleridge
This is the beginning of the 51-mile route from. Stowey to Exmoor walked by Coleridge and Wordsworth. Follow the sign of the quill! Castle H ill. 17. 16. 18. T.Missing: Porlock | Show results with:Porlock<|separator|>
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Wild West Wordsworth - Bethany Askew
Oct 6, 2013 · It was nothing to them to walk the seven miles to and from each other's houses, then carry on to Kilve or Porlock. Dorothy was always included ...
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Poets - Dovery Manor Museum
The third of the Lake Poets to visit Porlock was Robert Southey, later to become the Poet Laureate. Southey had first met Coleridge in Oxford in 1794, while on ...Missing: folklore | Show results with:folklore
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Porlock, by Robert Southey - Poeticous
It was a summer evening, Old Kaspar's work was done, And he before his cottage door Was sitting in the sun, And by him sported on the green.Missing: folklore | Show results with:folklore
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Events - Friends of Coleridge
Coleridge in Porlock – 27-30 March 2025. A weekend of poetry, fresh air and inspiring views at Coleridge in Porlock, organised by Porlock Parish Council and The ...
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Coleridge in Porlock – 27-30 March 2025
Mar 27, 2025 · A weekend of poetry, fresh air and inspiring views at Coleridge in Porlock, organised by Porlock Parish Council and The Friends of Coleridge.Missing: annual commemoration
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Lorna Doone, a Romance of Exmoor, by R. D. Blackmore
Four or five of our best-behaved and most peaceful gentlemen went to the little market at Porlock with a lump of money. They bought some household stores ...
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History | Visit Porlock Vale, Exmoor, Somerset
Porlock's name derived from its description of a “Locked Port” when the sea receded leaving a strip of rich alluvial land (much of which is now marshland) ...Missing: Portloca | Show results with:Portloca<|separator|>
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A look back at the Porlock Manor Estate
It has been at roughly its present level for the last 2,000 years but is still rising very slowly. Between 7,000 and 8,000 years ago the area that is now ...
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Artists - Dovery Manor Museum
The history of painting in Porlock begins with Richard Phelps (c1717-1785) who was born in Porlock into an artistic family. His father, also Richard, ...