Porlock Hill

This hill much spread fear and excitment amongst motorists when cars were not as sophisticated as they are today. At the bottom the hill is 1 in 4 and there is one very sharp bend with a high gradient. The provision of an excape road speaks of the potentailly dangerous nature of the hill. The first car journey up Porlock Hill was reputed to be in 1900 as a bet.  Up until 1920, when they were replaced by motor coaches, horse drawn coaches provided the transport for Minehead-Lynton route. If you want something different then t here is a well signposted scenic toll road avoiding Porlock Hill.

After Porlcok Hill is an old fashioned AA Box which is still in working order

The listed AA box near the top of Porlock Hill. Originally for the use ofAA members who were in need of roadside assistance, but now rendered obsolete partly by mobile phones, it remains as a monument to the challenges which visitors to Exmoor have faced over the last 200 years.

The Toll Road from the top of Porlock Hill

From the top of Porlock Hill

Looking Down into Porlock Bay

Porlock Bay

Ever since the early days of motoring Porlock has enjoyed a unique place in the history of motor sport. The Lands End Trial, which started around dawn in London, passed through Porlock at breakfast time and for some Porlock Hill— 5.6 kilometres (3/2 miles) long and as steep as 1 in 4 (25%) in places, was as far as they got. Even now, the annual Lands End to John O'Groats run comes through Porlock in December. Once or twice a year the scenic Toll Road is used as a Rally Special Stage, and in summer there is an invitation Hill Climb which each year raises a large sum for local and national charities.

Porlock Hill

Porlock is a living community that cares. Porlock without its people would not really be Porlock.

Porlock Hill in 1920 - photo Harry Sellick

See also:

• Porlock
• www.porlock.co.uk

Contributed by: Tim Holden