Porlock Vale, Porlock, Somerset
Softly slumbering within Exmoor National Park, the beautiful Porlock Vale is an area you just have to explore when you’re staying nearby; pootle about by car, get out and about on horseback or on bike, or park up and stretch your legs. It’s such a tranquil part of the West Country, from the rugged windswept moors to the steep wooded coombes and the quiet shingle beaches; you’ll find narrow winding lanes that lead you to idyllic villages where cottage garden flowers tumble over the walls of centuries old thatched cottages, and charming tea shops with names like Whortleberry Tearoom and Periwinkle Cottage Tea Rooms. Spend a couple of hours on an Exmoor Wildlife Safari, or stroll through ancient woods and see if you can spot red deer; go to Porlock Weir and find a nice spot to sit and watch the world go by, or have a hoot at the Exmoor Owl & Hawk Centre near Allerford.