Walk - Minehead to Porlock Weir

8.9 miles (14.3 km)

Minehead Porlock Weir

Challenging - Moderate with an alternative more strenuous section

Leave the pavements of Minehead behind as you set off onto the first section of the 630 mile trail, through woodland, along steep cliff tops, farm tracks and up and down beautiful wooded combes with bracken, gorse and bubbling streams.

Exmoor boasts the highest coastline in England with cliffs rising to 250m, 820ft, therefore there are some steep climbs and descents in this section. You can choose to follow the dramatic route known as the ‘rugged’ coast path which runs closer to the coast, or stay more inland on the moor and enjoy the spectacular views from Selworthy Beacon.

There is a lot to look out for, as the Exmoor coast provides a rich habitat for many beautiful and rare species of flora and fauna, including the blackneck moth, red deer, stag beetles and whitebeam trees (relatives of the rowan or mountain ash, unique to Exmoor).

The force of the sea is really evident at the end of your journey, where it is essential to follow the sign-posted paths. In 1996 the natural 6000 year-old shingle ridge across Porlock Bay was breached by a storm, resulting in the dramatic flooding of the fields behind at each high tide. This land is now changing from farmland to saltmarsh, creating a very special habitat for marine life and birds.

Dogs on the coastpath

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Safety advice

There are a range of wonderful places to lay your head near the Coast Path for a well-earned sleep. From large and luxurious hotels, to small and personable B&B's, as well as self-catering options and campsites. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Glen Lodge Luxury B&B

01643 863371
Luxury B&B and self catering, set amongst garden, woods and streams. Walks from the door, coming back to a hot fire, cakes and a hot tub.Dogs welcome n Apple Loft self-catering. If B&B they must sleep in bootroom.
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Exmoor Country House

01643 863599
Beautiful Guest House within Exmoor National Park in the enchanting village of Porlock. Evening dinner every night except Sunday.
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Anchor Cottage

07702985261
Warm, cosy, well equipped 2 bed 17th century Fisherman's cottage near Minehead Harbour. Start the Path from the doorstep.
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Sparkhayes Farm Campsite

07721 045123 / 01643 862470
Family site-5 minute walk to the village and its shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants. 20 minute walk down to the sea on the South West Coast Path.
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Reines House B&B

01643 862446

Benefitting from a peaceful location, yet a short walk from Porlock's numerous shops, pubs and restaurants. Locally sourced produce from sausages to tea and coffe.  Packed lunch on request.

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Myrtle Cottage

01643 863 978
A comfortable thatched cottage built over 400 years ago, bursting with character and charm. All rooms en-suite, award winning breakfast.
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The Cottage B&B

01643 862996

A cosy, luxurious, historic and friendly B&B in the heart of the village, close to all amenities

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Sea View B&B

01643 863456
4 Star B&B, en suite. TV/free wi-fi. Breakfast Award: gluten free/vegetarian, local produce/homemade bread/preserves. Drying facilities.
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The Parks Guest House

01643 703547

Georgian grade 2 listed guest house in a quiet area of Minehead 5 mins walk from town. Rooms en-suite, private car park, single night stays & dogs welcome

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Sunfield B&B

01643 703565
A delightful family-run guest house tucked away in a quiet corner of Minehead. Delicious home cooking and a warm welcome awaits.
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Montrose Guest House

01643 706473

Situated in a tree lined road, few minutes walk to shops,restaurants & beach. A perfect base for exploring wonderful Exmoor coast or starting the Coast Path.

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Ash Farm B&B

01643 862414
We are a working farm just off the Coast Path. We can pick up from Porlock Weir if required. Packed lunch on request.
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You'll be spoilt for choice for where to eat and drink along the Path. With lots of local seasonal food on offer, fresh from the farm, field and waters. Try our local ales, ciders, wines and spirits, increasing in variety by the year, as you sit in a cosy pub, fine dining restaurant or chilled café on the beach. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Yarn Market Hotel

01643 821425

Situated in the medieval village of Dunster within Exmoor National Park, we specialise in walking holidays and special interest breaks. Our independent 3* family run hotel prides itself on friendly service.

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What is on your list of things to do when you visit the Path? From walking companies, to help you tailor your visit, with itineraries and experts to enhance your visit, to baggage transfer companies and visitor attractions there are lots to people and places to help you decide what you'd like to do. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Westcountry Walking Holidays

0330 350 1348
We specialise in delivering flexible, great value self-guided walking holidays and short breaks on the Path. Standard package includes B&B accommodation, baggage transfer, maps and guides.
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Exmoor Rambler

01643 862429
Exmoor Rambler stocks a large range of outdoor clothing & equipment-waterproofs,walking boots, walking guides,etc. Ideally suited for South West Coast Path.
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Minehead Information Centre

01643 702624

Maps and Guide Books for sale. FREE accommodation booking service

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Selworthy Sands below Bossington Hill. Photographer Dennis Harker, Somerset. Minehead sunrise Photographer Bob Small (2013 Photo Competition entry) Porlock Weir, Somerset.jpg Porlock Weir, Somerset.jpg minehead promenade Photographer mike hutchinson (2012 Photo Competition entry) "Do we have to do this? My back hurts!" Minehead. Photographer Jo Harthan, Loughborough. Autumn Colour on North Hill Photographer Bob Small (2012 Photo Competition entry) The start. Jennifer Rowlandson, Tiverton Early Morning Mist over Hurlstone Point. Photographer Mike Watson, Somerset. The way to Porlock Weir.Photographer Steve Keast, Keynsham. Weathered groyne and pebbles at Bossington Beach. Photographer Adam Burton. Two cousins setting off on a great adventure, Minehead. Photographer Jo Harthan, Loughborough. Hurlstone Point. Photographer Jennifer Rowlandson, Tiverton. Looking towards Porlock Weir and Foreland Point from Hurtstone Point Looking towards Porlock Weir from Hurlstone Point. Photographer: Stuart Ferguson, Ascot Porlock Weir Stillness Photographer Bob Small Stormy Sunrise at Porlock Weir Photographer Bob Small The start of the Great Expedition. Photographer Philip Bailey, Winkleigh, Devon Exmoor pony and foals grazing near footpath above Porlock Bay. Photographer Shirley Turner, Minehead. Beach at Porlock Weir. Photographer Jaap Gaasenbeek Climbing the hill near Bossington. Photographer Chris Spracklen, Somerset. porlock in smoke.jpg Into the Storm The view towards West Porlock and Porlock Weir from the path at Bossington. Photographer Fiona Keene, Devon. Climbing the hill near Bossington. Photographer Chris Spracklen, Somerset. Porlock Weir Photographer Chris Sims (2013 Photo Competition entry) We're off! Photographer Mark Grey (2012 Photo Competition entry) Selworthy Beacon. Photographer Jennifer Rowlandson, Tiverton 'Poignant crossroads; considering all those who had passed before me'. Photographer Michaela Delaney, Morebath. Sea Campion (Silene uniflora) and Thrift (Armeria maritinum) growing on the edge of the hill overlooking Bossington beach, Somerset. Photographer Stephen Spraggon. Porlock Bay and Weir. Photographer A C Sparkes Skeletal Trees. The stunted, long dead trees on Porlock Marshes. Photographer Richard Taylor, Somerset. Map of the route. Photographer Jennifer Rowlandson, Tiverton. Selworthy Beacon - Taken on the path leading up to the beacon. Photographer Malcolm Stone, South Gloucestershire.

Interactive Elevation

Highlights

  • Admiring the SWCP monument on the promenade in Minehead, which marks the beginning of the 630 mile path. The impressive bronze monument, forming enormous hands gripping a map, is based on a design by local art student Sarah Ward.
  • Seeking out the Dartford warblers and nightjars living amongst the western gorse and bristle bent heath on North Hill, plants found only in the West Country.
  • Catching glimpses of the beautiful Red deer and wild Exmoor ponies.
  • Standing upon Selworthy Beacon (summit 308m, 1013ft) and resting to admire the spectacular views inland to Dunkery Beacon, the highest point on Exmoor, out over the Bristol Channel and along the coast to the journey ahead.
  • The fantastic views across the Bristol Channel to the Welsh coast and tiny islands of Steep Holm and Flat Holm.
  • Enjoying a welcome rest at harbour side pubs in Porlock Weir and waiting for the tide to go out and reveal the submarine forest (ancient tree stumps) on the beach.

Shorter option

There isn’t an easy way to shorten this section, other than walking out a distance and then returning to Minehead.

Longer option

Continue on to the car park and bus stop at County Gate Visitor Centre (1/2 mile off the path and in total an extra 5 miles from Porlock Weir).

Public transport

Minehead can be reached by regular bus services from Taunton (nearest mainline rail station) or to arrive in style catch one of the steam trains running on the West Somerset Railway from Bishop Lydeard (close to Taunton). The 10 service runs roughly every 1–2 hours between Minehead, Porlock and Porlock Weir. For timetable information, zoom in on the interactive map and click on the bus stops, visit Traveline or phone 0871 200 22 33.

Parking

Near the start point in Minehead (Postcode for Sat Navs: TA24 5QW), off Hill Road above North Hill, Bossington, Porlock and Porlock Weir.

Section 1: Minehead to Porlock Weir

Starts 0 miles (0 km) from Minehead

Ends 624 miles (1004 km) to Poole

Next section in South West Coast Path Porlock Weir to Lynmouth / Lynton

Local maps and publications

Nearby Events

  • S.A.N.D Ultra

    20th – 23rd September 2019, Minehead, Somerset

    105 miles and 6000m of ascent it really is a challenge! More info.

     

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