Allerford Exmoor

Allerford is a thatched village, noted for it's red sandstone packhorse bridge, this pretty little village lies between Minehead and Porlock. The West Somerset Rural Life Museum is based in the former village school.

Allerford is a hamlet in Selworthy parish on the National Trust's Holnicote Estate. A picturesque and much photographed fifteenth-century packhorse bridge spans Aller Brook. The old, thatched school is now the West Somerset Rural Life Museum. There is a working smithy, shop, small car park and toilets. Nearby is Piles Mill, a National Trust study centre with the mill open to the public.

Situated on the northern edge of Exmoor, picturesque Allerford is the home of the West Somerset Museum of Rural Life. The village has an unusual thatched school house and an old double-arched packhorse bridge paved with cobbles. The nearby secluded and unspoiled hamlet of Luccombe lies at the foot of Dunkery Beacon. It has many delightful cottages built in traditional local style. The church, which is of considerable interest, dates from the 13th century. It has a barrel-roof with carved bosses and contains the tomb of a previous rector who raised a Royalist troop during the Civil War in which four of his sons were captains. Bossington lies in a sheltered position beneath the steep slopes of 800 feet high Bossington Hill. The village, well known for the old world charm of its cottages, has an ancient chapel which was once used as a barn.

Allerford with its packhorse bridge

Allerford with its medival Packhorse Bridge

The delightful village of Selworthy is situated between Minehead and Porlock on wooded slopes beneath 1,014 feet high Selworthy Beacon. The village, which looks out across the lush valley towards Dunkery and the Exmoor hills, is known for its numerous fine thatched cottages, its attractive green and ancient tithe barn. Selworthy's 14th century church also has many interesting features and its south isle is an outstanding architectural treasure. Along with much of the surrounding countryside, the village is protected by the National Trust.

Ducklings at the Allerford packhorse bridge

Allerford packhorse bridge

Allerford is a hamlet in Selworthy parish on the National Trust's Holnicote Estate. A picturesque and much photographed fifteenth-century packhorse bridge spans Aller Brook. The old, thatched school is now the West Somerset Rural Life Museum. There is a working smithy, shop, small car park and toilets. Nearby is Piles Mill, a National Trust study centre with the mill open to the public.

Allerford Bridge - picture taken in 1966 - photo supplied by Sheila Bishop

Allerford Packhorse Bridge

Pack Horse Bridge Allerford 1934 - photo presented with the kind permisssion of www.grumpystumpy.com

Allerford Packhorse Bridge

OS Grid Reference: SS9046

Contributed by: Liam Johns